1st Gen R53 Cooper S Finally, Gen1 Power Steering Delete Kit Available Soon!!!!!

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by minsanity, Jun 12, 2014.

  1. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    May 4, 2009
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    How so you like it in turns at speed? "Thinking Dragon transitions"

    I am not worried about low speed "parking lot" turns.

    How would you rate it on a 1-10 scale?
    1= dead pump
    10 = good working OEM pump.
     
  2. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Good scale, Dave!
     
  3. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Must still be out having fun testing. I'd take anything above a dead pump w/ all other PS related issues eliminated.:)
     
  4. r34king

    r34king Member

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    I'd say maybe 3-4 Dave. Its very heavy steering under braking because of weight shift. I think after a few days you wouldn't notice it much. But its a lot different than power steering
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Excellent :Thumbsup:
     
  6. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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    Have you owned cars without power steering, and how does it compare?

    My Honda CRX didn't have power steering. It was fine except in tight parallel parking, but you learn to roll just a few inches while turning the wheel. However, the car only weighed 2000 lbs.
     
  7. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    Call me paranoid but this sort of vague instruction always bugs me, and I've seen it a number of times. How much is too much and how can you be sure you've avoided it without leaving it too loose? Do you tighten until you see deflection and back off or have you done permanent damage at that point?

    You need neither warnings nor torque settings for a lot of things but it seems to me a torque setting is in order for anything that requires a precautionary warning about damage potential.
     
  8. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    With steering and brakes detail is mandatory.
     
  9. r34king

    r34king Member

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    I'd say just spin the bolts in with your fingers and the go 1/4 turn further with a wrench or ratchet. The point is to keep water and dirt out, not to let fluid leak science all the fluid is out anyway. I've had cars with no power steering but they had really skinny tires so it wasn't hard at all. I'm talking 155 skinny. Having 205 45 17 on the mini creates more resistance. It's still easier than with a dead pump.

    The directions from condor are spot on for how to do it.

    919-796-2712 if you need help over the phone. I can walk you through it.


    Dan
     
  10. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    I'm not trying to start a bru-ha-ha, but I work for a front axle manufacturer and if the above listed instruction for tightening any fastener is given instead of a torque spec and an accident would happen, I don't think a jury will be very impressed with "spin the bolts in with your fingers and then go 1/4 turn further....". Just sayin'
     
  11. r34king

    r34king Member

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    They are banjo bolts for the steering rack. Not critical to anything structural. If you want to tighten them more then have at it. It is not a metal plate. It is plastic and will deform rather easily
     
  12. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    Not about to argue with you. I've stated my opinion because I've had the experiences of sitting in that chair next to the judge. Every fastener has a torque spec. for optimum performance. Listing it doesn't transfer liability it simply implies knowledge.
     
  13. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    I've asked Condor for banjo bolt torque spec. Let's see when he could provide.
    I'd take the 3-4 rating anytime! The good thing is I've got aftearket steering where I could change the wheel diameter. Some can go dorky by adding a steering knob?????:)
     
  14. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Hey now......
    I got one on my riding garden tractor....:blush2:
    Not dorky man.... Not dorky
     
  15. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Haha, sorry, man.:D My dad installed 1 on every car he owned. Love the function, just doesn't look right on our gen1s. :)
     
  16. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    I'll bet your banjo bolt torque will be around 5-10 foot pounds....
    Just don't want to crush the block and still be tight enough that they don't vibrate loose...
    After all, the block is just serving the purpose of allowing the minimal fluid and air freely move and keep dirt and water from getting into the rack....

    But go with what he recommends... he's making a lot of UHMW PE parts so he'll know...
     
  17. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Carlos from Condor is out on vacation for a week. He'll give the torque spec when back. He's asking for 2 feedback ratings. 1 for high speed, another 1 for low. 2 very different conditions which R34king described.
     
  18. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I can't wait to install mine but unfortunately I have to wait. :mad2:
     
  19. minsanity

    minsanity Well-Known Member

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    Pump some iron while vacationing, Dave. You might even rate the steering feel an 11 on city traffic & parking.:D
     
  20. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I never ever go into the city of Filth-a-delphia with my MINI.
    * except to go to Helix which is on the very edge of the city.
     

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