Do I need power steering?

I'm just about to convert my 1984 land rover 90 to a 200tdi from a discovery, I've got all the power steering boxes etc so guess it would be an easy job to swap it while stripped down,

Question is, I've never felt the steering is too heavy and love the feel of the steering, HOWEVER... I'm only running 6x16 crossplies and guess I'll be fitting some bigger wheels and tyres soon, will this make a massive difference to the feel of the steering?

Does power steering make it feel "dead"?

So......Who prefers power steering, who prefers normal?

I converted mine from petrol to 200 tdi and put bigger tyres on it, its also a 1984/5. I think you would need to be popeye to live without PAS, I am not too small and weedy but I need it!!

Do I need power steering?

YES

simple answer...yes

A friend is going to lend me some discovery alloys for a hour or so this weekend scan see what it is like without PAS but with bigger wheels. Looking forward to trying some radials too, keep the opinions/advice coming though!

Yes

Yes! Best thing I ever did! I only run military tyres on mine, but even with them it's a godsend!

You need power steering. I once turned my engine off and coasted to try it and I could barely even turn the wheel. I thought my steering wheel was going to snap off. I've got 285s.

You don't "need" power steering...like you don't "need" to change to bigger wheels/tyres. If you choose to change the wheels/tyres then choosing to fit power steering makes sense.

khaos said:

You need power steering. I once turned my engine off and coasted to try it and I could barely even turn the wheel. I thought my steering wheel was going to snap off. I've got 285s.

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Thats because your trying to force the hyd oil around through the system/valves , so not a true comparision to standard armstrong steering

not exactly ,your still turning worm and wheel but there isnt the leverage to make it easier as with manual box so is stiff without help of hyd pressure ,the input shaft is one inside another the tortion between the two operates valves to give assistance

A manual box is always easier than a pas box with the pump off so looking forward to trying the disco wheels tomorrow! (or later as I have lost track of time) I will update this how it went later,
More opinions please as I only have a short time to try!

would definitly go for the power steering, not much extra work but good gain and gives you more options for tyres,
will be doing this myself in this year and will be fitting the power steering set up

ps becareful anyone with power steering turning steering with engine not running as can put presure on resvior and burst it if turned to quick

im in two minds about this, i have a 110 with and a 110 without! when parking and slow speed stuff the power steering is a god send but when off road or at motorway speeds i prefer no power steering,try the wheels and you will see what i mean

on a disco 200 engine you need powersteering as the pump is used as a pulley as you have 2 belts one belt from the bottom pulley around the water pump and round the steering pump and next belt from the pas pump to the alternator ... i didnt connect myn for 2month and ended up seizing the pump as no oil was going round it