redkneck Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Folks been saying for years, that a shade tree guy just can't work on vehicles anymore. I've always dismissed this as a load of crap, you just need patience, a scanner, and google to solve a lot of the "technical" problems with today's vehicles, and in many ways I find them easier to work with because of on-board diagnostics. Fast forward to now. Electric power steering is quickly taking over the market and will have all of the half ton pickup market in another year. These EPS units are evolving to where they are learning the vin of their original vehicle and can not be swapped without the OEM proprietary program. In other words someone can give you a free replacement but your still screwed if you're not at a dealer. Also scary how many of these units are in constant contact via satellite and can be shut down at any time. Front axle weights and tie rod loads make it damn near impossible to steer manually when the eps shuts down. sounds like a nightmare if a hacker ever works into a system like this. Just my rant for today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Ummm guess the good old days are fading away. Suppose conversion is out of the question in the event these new vehicles like you mention have issues. We once put power steering on an old dodge truck of mine that had manual steering after breaking a couple manual boxes, all the running gear on that truck was dana heavy duty. There was a u-pull salvage yard we had in central Fl that was awesome. If you could carry it out $25, two guys $50, got everything I needed there plus other parts. Heard stories of guys walking out with engines and transmissions complete for $50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 I know a lot of the GM's are converting to EPS, and have been since 2005. The 2014 trucks are going to be EPS. I don't mind the system, it's a little different driving them vs the hydraulic power steering vehicles. Sucks for you though John, if I recall your current job is making hydraulic power steering racks/gears. I hope to be out of this trade by the time I'm 30 (26 now), I'd love to get my teachers degree and teach high school shop class or even college automotive education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 Yeah Shaun its taking a big toll on our business, but trying to get our foot in the door on eps. I'll be in Michigan Tuesday meeting with the folks that are making them. We do all their service work now, I'm sure you've gotten in several of our gears through SPO, but we haven't had any eps products since we were helping them with the Malibu/g6 column problems back a few years ago. The problem is that I don't think they want to share the propriety info that is needed to rest the units even with dedicated suppliers like us. We'll see. But hey I got an ice fishing trip lined up next week, there's something worth the trip lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 yea that would be bad... lot of unguided heavy projectiles. hope you guys can get into the eps stuff. that would sure help you sleep at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Farm and logging equipment is also going electronic...most have onboard computers now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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