Power steering original or not?

[Archie's mid life crisis 0]

I'm in process of restoring my 1991 1.6 GTi and trying to keep it as close to original as possible. The car has power steering but I am unsure if this has been added at a later date - the steering fluid reservoir is missing the top bracket and the routeing of the pipes looks a bit haphazard. Is there any way I can check if the car was supplied with PAS? I've never driven one with PAS and wonder whether it would be better to just revert to the standard rack. Any advice would be welcome.

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

Everyone has their own opinion, mine is that power steering is a good addition to any GTI. 

The standard manual rack is nearly 4 turns lock to lock, it’s awfully slow.

The power rack is faster at approx 3.2 turns and is much better to use.

[petert 585]

If someone has done a sloppy PAS installation, I'd be doing my best to tidy it up with OEM parts. I've owned five GTi's (three manual and two PAS) and the best to drive have been those with PAS. Does it have a cooling loop under the passenger side floor? That would be the best clue to tell if was factory fitted or not. If you need parts, there are plenty of a model called an Si over here. It's a well appointed 1.6L monopoint injection. It has a more desirable 2.7 rack. They're always being wrecked. Put wanted add on AussieFrogs.

[Archie's mid life crisis 0]

Thanks for the replies. The cooling loop is there. Only the top bracket for the reservoir is missing. It just seems to me that the PAS hoses are not clipped in or look particularly well integrated - maybe they were all like that. Its a pity Peugeot never listed the extras on the car on a sticker like vw did.

[Ozymandis 96]

Go to Service box, enter your VIN and then click on the steering  parts selection tab and it will give you what was originally fitted.

[DamirGTI 342]

Another vote for PAS system .. been driving my 205 daily for well over 15 years with manual rack and recently fitted 2.4 Xsara rack and PAS pipework/pump from 405 1.6 , reservoir from 306 , and it's really massive steering improvement over manual system/rack !

 

 

D

 

 

[Archie's mid life crisis 0]

I've tried service box but it showed both types of rack. Worth a try though. I'm starting to think I'm going to keep the power rack if I can get a refurb kit for it.

[petert 585]

A seal kit is approx. AUS$65, not OEM. Get a pro to do it. It's so easy stretch the seals.