ettev Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I have two Brats, one with and one without power steering. Naturally I need to swap from one to the other . What am I in for? At least I know I have all the parts. How tough of a job is it? Would it be easier to do with the engine out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 You need to swap the entire engine crossmember along with the steering rack and the power steering pump. It might be easier to do with engines out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ettev Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Hatchsub, Thank you. You need to swap the entire engine crossmember along with the steering rack and the power steering pump. It might be easier to do with engines out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 The only Brat's that came stock with power steering are the turbo Brat's (83 and 84). If that's what you have then you are going to need some other stuff as well - the turbo Brat's power steering system is more like an EA82 power steering system than it is the EA81. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ettev Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 Mine is a 1985 non-turbo and it's got power steering. As many as I've seen in the junk yards over the past few years none of the non-turbo's have had power steering. I guess I got an odd ball. The only Brat's that came stock with power steering are the turbo Brat's (83 and 84). If that's what you have then you are going to need some other stuff as well - the turbo Brat's power steering system is more like an EA82 power steering system than it is the EA81. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Mine is a 1985 non-turbo and it's got power steering. As many as I've seen in the junk yards over the past few years none of the non-turbo's have had power steering. I guess I got an odd ball. It's been retro-fitted then. Non-turbo Brat's did not come with power steering - ever. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samneric Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I have two Brats, one with and one without power steering. Naturally I need to swap from one to the other . What am I in for? At least I know I have all the parts. How tough of a job is it? Would it be easier to do with the engine out? You don't need to remove the engine.... I've switched out cross-members on mine by jacking the engine up (using a block of wood to spread the load).... Then I believe you need to switch over anything PS related that leads off the crossmember - rack, lines, pump blahdi blah.... If its too big a job for u, I can always come take it off your hands.... been waiting for a powersteering conversion on my Brat for ages Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Beyond the basic work of swapping parts, lets not forget that one way or another you will need an alignment. If that means doing it yourself with some string or one of the gizmo's from harbor frieght it will have to be addressed. You will have a new rack and new cross-member so things will not line up the same as they did before. Replace the steering rag joint with a urethane one for a VW bug. EMPI makes them - about $8. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstaru Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 my 1986 brat came stock with power steering.non turbo.i know this because i know the original owners.cheers, brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ettev Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 my 1986 brat came stock with power steering.non turbo.i know this because i know the original owners.cheers, brian I thought mine was stock. If it isn't whoever did the retrofit was pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Tap out the holes on the cyl head for the pump bracket and grab the longer t-stat and upper radiator hose. (Make sure your engine in the brat to receive PS has the ears for the bracket in the first place). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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