PAS

[themoog]

Anyone know of a way to make the pas on an E53 any lighter? Our range rover sport is lighter and I want it like that.
I did read somewhere about altering a valve in the pump or something along those lines. Anyone.

[lezmtaylor]

Yes, of interest to me also, wife having a real problem and I find it difficult.

Lez

[Richyroos]

Ditto!! When I bought my E53 last March, I was surprised at how much heavier it was than my previous E61's steering. As they are built in the USA (I believe?) it is all the more surprising, as I thought the yanks liked their PAS to be super light.

I have got more used to it now, but slow manoeuvring is still a bit of a chore, so if there is a way of improving it without it costing too much, I would be interested!

Rich

[X5Sport]

I’ve noticed that our E46 from 2005 is also very heavy when compared to the electrohydraulic PAS in the X6 or the very light electric PAS in the F46 220xD.  I just put it down to ‘that’s how it was back then’ so am intrigued about there being a way of either boosting the assist or making it lighter.

Both of the newer cars have Variable Assist steering which wasn’t available on the E46 nor on the E53 I used to have.

[X5-D-Sport]

In reality, we as a species are becoming a bunch of flappy lilly livered wimps.

I remember when any form of power steering was a luxury indeed, in any car or truck.

There was never the option to compare which was the lightest or easiest, you had it or did not !!

If the steering is too heavy, get a smaller vehicle, not a 2.5 tonne X5, or fit skinny tyres on the vehicle.

I also have a Classic Jag XJ, a TT & the X5, and yes the smaller vehicles are lighter on the steering, but they are over a tonne lighter.

[henrym3]

Presumably, you could change the pulley wheel on the power steering pump to a smaller one to make the pump spin faster. Look at the Range Rover one and see if it,s smaller.

[X5-D-Sport]

Henry - Now that is a good idea me thinks...

[themoog]

I've found a company in the uk that specialise in lightening pas systems. Steering developments.co.uk. I've emailed them to enquire. Talking of the pulley thing- our mini has hydroelectric pas where the pump runs at 80% when driving and 100% when crawling. So in theory a faster running pump should work.
Also, can an m sport wheel from an e39 fit straight on an e53?
Mine has the three spoke wheel with the twin spokes at 6 o'clock and I fancy something slightly chunkier and smaller diameter - yes I know the steering may be heavier.. Just bored and looking for something to mess with I suppose.

[henrym3]

From the steering wheel point of view, I know that the e46 m3 steering wheel is a straight fit. Much fatter and the x5 airbag is a straight swap as well. I got a used one and one of those refurb kits and actually read the instructions before I buggered everything up and was amazed at the results.

[Ryoken]

bigger arm muscles ?

[henrym3]

Way to much effort involved in getting them

[themoog]

Well I had two prices for having it lightened by steering developments Ltd. I hope you are sitting down..
£1150 to give them the car or £400 if I remove the rack and send it to them. That doesn't include vat. That's a bit lumpy.
There has to be another way. The pump must have a bypass/regulator valve so if the spring on that can be altered then the pressure to the rack will be different. I think.
Must research more.
Still nobody has come forward and say the E39 wheel will fit correctly on an E53.

[themoog]

I managed to squeeze info on how they reduce steering effort. It would seem that it's not a valve but a small torsion bar that is altered on the steering rack. Changing the tension on it allows more fluid pressure to the relevant side when turning the steering wheel. Apparently.
Anyway, I bought an E46 M sport steering wheel to put on until I figure out the rest.

[Greydog]

Thinking out loud here, didn't the early L322 Range Rover share the same engines 4.4 and 3ltr Diesel. So in theory if their power steering pump is geared differently allowing softer steering it should be swap-able, as would maybe the rack? Perhaps trying a back to back test with an L322 would help.

Having said that I don't find the steering on the 4.6 heavy when one handed maneuvering and parking, as a direct comparison my wife's Subaru Outback (anyone who has owned or driven one will know the steering is mega light) doesn't make the X5 feel overly heavy when swapping between the two. I also drive a friends RR TDV8 when we car share on long trips that doesn't feel much different and he hasn't winged about the steering on the X just how hard the ride is.

[Alan Gunn]

Just looking at some pictures and i can't see anything that looks like it could be adjusted on the steering rack.