Power Steering (lack of) in pre-‘89 Mondials | FerrariChat

Power Steering (lack of) in pre-‘89 Mondials

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Louis Brown, Mar 26, 2020.

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  1. Louis Brown

    Louis Brown Karting

    Dec 24, 2019
    83
    Richardson Texas
    Full Name:
    Louis Brown
    So I see that power steering only became available in ‘89 for these Mondials. Disappointing because my only experience with Manual steering has come from my ownership of a Pontiac GTO 455. Operating this vehicle with a 4-speed was a serious hands-on operation and it wore me out over time to the point I converted it to power steering (against Pontiac purest culture of course). Can someone explain the experience of operating a pre-‘89 Mondial? Because if it’s laborious, I will be sticking with my search for a Mondial T. Thanks for input!
     
  2. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2005
    3,626
    Canada
    Because of the mid engine layout, the weight on the front end is not that great, and the steering load is much less than on a front engine car. The lack of power steering would be noticed when trying to do a three point turn, or maneauver into a tight parking space. It is still not that hard at all, but it is not the one finger twirl you can do with power steering. I have daily driven my 3.2 Mondial Cab in gridlock traffic around downtown Toronto for years. Only when dealing with my office tower's tight underground parking spaces do I think power steering would be handy. The Mondial turning circle is pretty wide, so that presents more of the challenge than the steering weight, and wold be the same for the T.

    There is a electric power steering add on you can purchase, expensive, there is an old thread where this was done and the owner was quite happy. But it would not be a common modification, most who want the power steering presumably go for the T. http://www.ezpowersteering.nl/type/7/56/Ferrari_Mondial.html
     
  3. davem

    davem F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2002
    8,210
    Stepford, Connecticut
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    dave m
    Only an issue when tight parking and even then.....not a big deal.
    The plus side is the steering feel is way better All the time.
     
  4. swong46

    swong46 Karting

    Jun 24, 2015
    137
    Bay Area, CA
    It's not too bad but the steering wheel is a bit on the small side ('82) so you do have to work for it a bit.
    My biggest gripe is actually the steering shaft flex joint. It's right where your left foot toes are (and I wear a sz9). So when you are doing multipoint turns, and clutching a lot, it compounds with the manual steering to make it not so fun...
     
  5. Albert Penello

    Albert Penello Karting

    Jul 21, 2019
    165
    Woodinviille, WA
    Full Name:
    Albert J Penello, Jr.
    I would say it's really not that bad. I was warned about this and nervous before getting the car, but in reality it's not a huge deal. I have a 65 Olds 442 with Manual steering and it's WAY WAY worse than the mondial. I noticed it became much easier when I went to the 16" Superformance wheels with 205 tires.

    It's almost 100% only something you think about when you're doing very tight turns at very low speeds.

    If this is a daily driver, then yeah probably not fun. For weekend cruising, no biggie.
     
  6. Louis Brown

    Louis Brown Karting

    Dec 24, 2019
    83
    Richardson Texas
    Full Name:
    Louis Brown
    Ok that’s a good comparison I needed from a fellow gm classic owner. Thanks
     
  7. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 16, 2004
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    Ron Frohock
    65 442. My other favorite car!


    Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  8. HK Mondial

    HK Mondial Karting

    Mar 12, 2007
    85
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Mark M.
    With the electric EZ power steering the "feel" is exactly the same at speeds greater than parking speed as there is no assistance.
     
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  9. Chris Mondi

    Chris Mondi Rookie

    Oct 30, 2018
    48
    Full Name:
    Chris Riedinger
    My wife is 5’5” and 115 lbs. She has absolutely no problems or complaints with driving or parking our 88 3.2 and that is with 225’s on the front and 245’s on the rear. We are switching to 205/225 now so will get easier. I hope that answers your question.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
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  10. davem

    davem F1 Veteran
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    Jan 21, 2002
    8,210
    Stepford, Connecticut
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    dave m
    Yes but on the T it's pwr assist robs you of the feedback
     
    19633500GT likes this.
  11. donkost

    donkost Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2016
    911
    Blandon, PA
    You'll be fine with the Mondial manual steering like my '85 QV Cab has. Not bad at all at low speeds. Nothing like my '71 Mustang Mach 1 429 CJ-R 4 speed which has manual steering. That giant lump of steel big block over the front wheels makes a big difference, very much like your GTO. Granted, at speed the '71 Mach 1 feels fine for what it is. I can only get gas at the end pumps though. I had a '68 GTO 400 4 speed for a couple of years beginning in 1980, but it had power steering and that big steering wheel that was like something from a bus. lol
     
    Louis Brown likes this.
  12. spicedriver

    spicedriver F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2011
    3,859
    Power steering is for wimps. :)
     
  13. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 20, 2003
    16,601
    Pittsburgh, PA
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    Matt F
    The Pontiac GTO had a steering box. A pitman arm. An antiquated setup.

    The Mondial has a rack-and-pinion setup. They’re completely different. Try one and see.

    Matt
     
  14. Louis Brown

    Louis Brown Karting

    Dec 24, 2019
    83
    Richardson Texas
    Full Name:
    Louis Brown
    I shall. Thank you. Concerns dissipated now
     
    Smiles likes this.
  15. gsfent

    gsfent Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2009
    1,096
    PB County, Florida
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    Jerry
    How do you feel about power brakes? :) ;)

    Regards,
    Jerry
     
  16. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    Nov 20, 2003
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    I have two cars without power brakes.

    Matt
     
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  17. gsfent

    gsfent Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2009
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    Jerry
    I certainly hope you haven't succumbed to the (gasp) electric starter? :)

    Regards,
    Jerry
     
  18. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    Nov 20, 2003
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    Matt F
    Yup.

    This is one of the two.

    Matt

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  19. gsfent

    gsfent Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2009
    1,096
    PB County, Florida
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    Jerry
    Wow. I am almost afraid to ask if you think the steam engine is better than the new fangled ICE?? :)

    Stunning looking car. Hope you get to enjoy it often!

    Regards,
    Jerry
     
  20. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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  21. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    I have an 85 QV. I recently drove a friend's 93 T. I was surprised at how much less road feel there is at speed. To me, it felt a bit mushy and seemed too twitchy. Of course I'm used to the unassisted version. I'm sure all the T guys here appreciate having it without really thinking about it.
     
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  22. pbaron89

    pbaron89 Karting

    May 17, 2013
    51
    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Full Name:
    Peter Baron
    i would say, as an ex-owner of 3.2 and now own a coupe and cab t...

    the 3.2 is not bad as long as you pre-meditate your moves at slow speed.. but a 3 point turn in. hurry is not fun.. My wife did not like driving it at all due to the steering. once you are moving is nice.

    ive driven a ton of cars without power steering or brakes and most you really dont notice.. the 3.2 i did. i like driving it. but like i mentioned in other threads i love the T's steering.
     
  23. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
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    Wade O.
  24. davem

    davem F1 Veteran
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    Jan 21, 2002
    8,210
    Stepford, Connecticut
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    dave m
    A poster no longer active here who had suffered a stroke, losing some strength in one arm. TomB from NY daily drove an 86 3.2 coupe with over a 100k.
    He did fit a cheater knob on the wheel to help.
    So if good old Tom could manage....
     
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  25. HK Mondial

    HK Mondial Karting

    Mar 12, 2007
    85
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Mark M.
    Part of the problem with the QV not having power steering is also related to the original tyre size. The QV had 240/55/VR 390 tyres all around.
    Whilst not overly big for the rear, few cars ( with or without power steering ) had 240 tyres on the front .
    As mentioned in earlier posts, once you're moving faster than walking pace it's not noticeable, but trying to park in a tight space can require some muscle power
    (if you don't go the cheater knob route ! ) :)
     

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