The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

hey everyone,

ive got myself a good condition subaru brumby 4 spd, love the ute to pieces but one thing i do dislike is not having power steering, is it possible to transplant a power steering pump, rack and pinion from my 85' l series ?

any help/advice will be greatly appreciated.
thanks in advance,

Script

You have got the two models together..... have a look.
Measure boths total length, distance betwen rack mounting points

I can tell you that the rack ends that screw to the rack and are the threaded link that meets at the tie rod - they are different genders, so Brumby rack ends won't attach to L power rack.

I can't see the L's pump bracket attaching to the EA81 block easily

It is all a good idea, think it may have been done before

Have to admit I feel a bit soft when going from L power steer to my manual Brumby

have a look on this page. you might get some tips
The EJ rack is very similar to the L rack
showthread.php?t=13343&page=3

Is the L series p/steer pump on the passenger side or am I thinking of the air con compressor...anyway the MY p/steer pump is on the drivers side, and you need cylinder heads that have the threaded holes in them.

Just saw you're in Adelaide, if you're lucky there may be an MY series of some description (wagon, sedan etc) at one of the U-pull its with a complete system intact with everything you need...there was one last time I went (more than 6 months ago though) I just didn't have the time or patience to pull it all out in the sun and heat Obviously it's a bolt in and away you go kind of job if you have all the parts.

By far the easiest way to get power steering in your brumby is find another MY and swap it into yours. All plug and play, no modifications (other that drilling out the spot welds on the plate under the engine crossmember). Just make sure you have the 3 holes in the driver's side head to make it bolt in, otherwise you'll have to drill and tap them.

It's worth it, the brumby feels a pot load lighter - you can really throw it around easily

Cheers

Bennie

i've looked into that, ill find out measurements tomorrow after school.

may have to check out U-pull-it, which yard did ya see the MY in ?
I should look into the MY pwr/str if there is'nt much to do with the transfer.


off topic, what about the 2inch lift kit thats currently on the wagon, is it possible to transfer onto the brumby, i know they are differ vehicles but because of the similar drive train would it be possible ?

It was the Northern yard but don't expect the car I saw to be there anymore, it was over 6 months ago. Would be a decent job to take all the parts out if you find a complete set, don't forget the thermostat housing!

if you get the MY series PS you'll need
1 the PS engine xmember, the stupid ps rack is significantly larger on the passenger side of the car and won't fit the Brumby xmember
2 the cylinder heads with 3 or 4 10mm holes on the drivers side, to mount the pspump bracket, some head I've seen don't have them
3 the thermostat housing, as is longer than the std item to miss the rear of the PSpump
4 the flexible coupling assy to the steering column
5 the crankshaft triple v pulley

tony90 wrote:if you get the MY series PS you'll need
1 the PS engine xmember, the stupid ps rack is significantly larger on the passenger side of the car and won't fit the Brumby xmember
2 the cylinder heads with 3 or 4 10mm holes on the drivers side, to mount the pspump bracket, some head I've seen don't have them
3 the thermostat housing, as is longer than the std item to miss the rear of the PSpump
4 the flexible coupling assy to the steering column
5 the crankshaft triple v pulley

1) I've not encountered this with a late 80's brumby - I ended up drilling the spot welds after originally pulling the rack apart to slide it in past the "jacking plate" that was welded. It could be an early MY thing.

2) They can be carefully drilled and tapped - not worth a head swap in my opinion!

3,4 & 5 yes yes and yes!

PS is well worth the effort! (as is AC)

Cheers

Bennie

Bennie,
I have heard that AC needs a whole heap of wiring laid out in order to fit it

AC is a complete loom that needs to be added to the engine bay/dash of the car and plugs into the factory non AC wiring. It's not difficult at all, especially if you have the wiring diagrams.

I will also agree with Bennie that the PS is well worth the effort - in fact I think it is the best PS of any car I have driven, even the newer cars. So easy to steer and holds well on the highway.