Power Steering, a possibilty?

[POS]

Hi, I just recently bought a 1993 Ford Festiva GL for my girlfriend, and she complains of how hard the wheel is to turn. I noticed when looking at the rack and pinion that there is no power steering pump, so no chance of pouring in fluid. I was wondering if there any pump available from the 121 or pride to put in? or is it even possible at all?

[GenevaDirt]

the Festy actually had a power steering option....so they are out there.

[POS]

Oh ok great, I have seen power steering pumps for sale but wasn't exactly sure of their authenticity. Does anybody else on here have it on their festy?

[bravekozak]

this weekend

I am going to install my power steering pump next weekend.

http://bwbronze.com/festiva/pump2.jpg

The long belt is because I also have air.
The only reason for the delay was painting the oil dipstick tube + it's time for the Woodward Cruise this weekend. Thunder all day long from a clear sky! I'm bringing along a set of ear protectors for the emergency vehicle cruise on Friday. All those ambulances and fire trucks.

[Pu241]

Power Steering was an option but only for certain years and models.
But are swap able to all models, but believe you need the rack and pinion swapped as well, so not a quick/easy bolt-on.

[Switch]

Has anyone swapped over the power steering rack and pump from an Aspire into a Festiva?

[miami man]

there was one in the junkyard here that had power steering and the air conditioning lines had to be rerouted also.

[bravekozak]

multirib

The Aspire power steering pump has a pressed on multirib drive pulley.
You would have to get a multirib secondary crankshaft drive pulley + A/C compressor with multirib pulley. The P/S pump takes the place of the belt tensioner.

[bhazard]

An alternative to adding power steering is to find skinnier front tires. If its a GL it probably has 165 width tires, try finding some 145/12 tires.

You can also try higher tire pressure.

[25Horseplay]

Power steering came on 90-91 Festiva's as an option. If you search www.car-parts.com you might be able to find a PS set up. Or try placing an ad here in the For sale forum.

[Switch]

The Aspire power steering pump has a pressed on multirib drive pulley.
You would have to get a multirib secondary crankshaft drive pulley + A/C compressor with multirib pulley. The P/S pump takes the place of the belt tensioner.

I know about the different pulleys, just something I was pondering since I have a complete (minus motor) '95 Aspire sitting in the backyard.

[KingFish]

can you just swap pullys?

[shawnw]

Skinnier, properly inflated tires can make all the difference in the world.
Or do what I did and tell her she'll get used to it.

[eurotiva]

can you just swap pullys?

No there is not enough clearance betweeh the crank pulley and frame.....oh wait there may be on the stock b3...not b8....i'll look when i get home.

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

PS is a joke

One of my Festies has power steering. It's a total joke, just like the adjustable steering column on LXs. Just pump up your front tires to the proper level, like 36psi. Stock (narrow) tires on the front will also help somewhat. On one of my 88s, I run wide 13s on the front where the weight is for a smoother ride, and 12s on the back. I can tell the difference between this and my other 88 with 155-12s both front & rear in terms of steering effort required.

If you still want to have PS, beware of how it mounts with AC. I can't recall if my car with PS has AC or not (it's in SEA, I'm in ANC), but I'm curious as to where the PS pump mounts if it does have AC. I would think it would have to be above the alternator, which would block overhead access to the alternator and oil filter, just like like AC lines do, as well as emission control lines do on carb'd models.

I suspect there's a reason PS didn't start until 1990 -- there wasn't room for its plumbing with all the carb emission control lines.