EZ Electric Power Steering primarily uses Koyo and NSK units for conversions, the same ones used in modern cars. Both brands are Japanese. The advantage of these units is that various safety features are built in and certified.
If the electronics fail, the car steers exactly as it did before the conversion. In addition, in the unlikely event that this should happen anyway, the support will gradually decrease, like an old tube radio (after 1 to 2 seconds); As a result, the power steering gradually decreases and there is no startle reaction at the steering wheel if the unit fails when taking a turn at low speed. In the unlikely event of an electric motor stalling, a magnetic clutch in the transmission ensures that the steering does not lock up and the car becomes uncontrollable.
We use new units, but some sets are produced with remanufactured units for power steering sets that we designed 10-15 years ago and for which new units are no longer available. As one of the few manufacturers of power steering systems, EZ Electric Power Steering has achieved TÜV certification for both the company and the product in the past. This focus on quality and safety is still the foundation of how we operate.
Our production method
EZ Electric Power Steering develops a metal mounting frame for each type of car. For the prototype, this frame is bent, drilled and welded by hand (just the frame, not the car!) after which a CAD drawing of the final design is made. The frame is then laser cut and angled. The final frame then has multiple adjustment options to accommodate the large tolerances in classic cars. The input and output shafts have the original external splined joints at the ends, allowing the use of the original steering wheel and steering rack. The other side of the shafts have internal spline connections that connect to the power steering system. This ensures a reliable and safe connection at all times.
We modified the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and torsion sensor, which controls the amount of support, to perfectly match the steering character of the car for which we are developing the kit. Modern ECUs work with CAN bus data signals (Controller Area Network) that are not present in a classic car. For this purpose, EZ Electric Power Steering has developed an interface that mimics the engine speed, speed signal and steering angle from the CAN bus and thus controls the ECU. The speed signal can be realized artificially, via GPS or by a speed adapter on the odometer. What makes EZ Power Steering special is the fact that we produce (in most cases) a completely new steering column that replaces the original. The strength of the torsion bar is chosen to best suit the vehicle it is designed for, and we have our own unique method of reducing the internal resistance of the power steering, which significantly improves the steering feel and self-centering properties of the power steering.
Motorsport
We regularly provide power steering units for rally cars. The steering of these cars is subjected to severe stress and this is a perfect testing ground for our products. We even sponsor a classic Porsche 911 that takes part in the Paris Dakar Classic. Our power steering kits are built to handle these extreme conditions. For this niche market, we have developed additional adjustment capabilities with integrated cooling for the electric motor and control unit.
Pre-war systems
We are proud to announce that one of our last hurdles has been overcome: EZ electric power steering for pre-war vehicles that retains all functions on the center of the steering wheel and stays in place when the steering wheel is turned. In many pre-war vehicles, mechanical controls (for throttle, pre-ignition, lighting or choke, etc.) run through the steering shaft. These functions are controlled by levers on the steering wheel and are held in place by a “stator tube” when the steering wheel turns. In this stator tube there are often three or more small shafts that rotate in each other. To incorporate our electric power steering into the column and keep the levers on the center of the steering wheel functional, we needed a power steering unit with a hollow shaft. Therefore, it was necessary to design a new system without a torsion rod in the center of the system. We developed a method to measure the torsion of the actual steering shaft, no longer needing the separate torsion rod used in our “regular” system. This is system can also be fitted to younger cars with a hollow steering shaft. This is system can also be fitted to younger cars with a hollow steering shaft.
The hollow shaft system can be supplied as a kit with adapters that allow the unit to be mounted in the original steering column. We can also supply a complete replacement column for various models. In most cases, it is possible to revert the steering back to its original condition. The steering box must be in proper working order before converting to power steering, We check the steering box and can overhaul it when necessary.
Currently, we have equipped nearly 200 vehicles with this pre-war hollow shaft system. Among these are Vintage and Derby Bentley models, the Rolls Royce Phantom, the Cadillac V16, Packard’s, Cords, Lagonda’s, the Alvis Speed 20/ 25 and Mercedes Kompressor models.