Thank you, now it makes sense.

 

Requested Condor to post an idiot's guide. Hope he does 1 soon.

 

I received mine today. I'll be installing tomorrow bright n early. Seems pretty straight forward. I think I will be able to access the banjo bolts by removing the driver side tire.

 

Interested to hear how the steering feel and difficulty is. Is this a product that will continue to be produced, or should I snag one while they are available?

 

Succeeding batches will be based on demand. Best to snag 1 now. You can just keep it. Condor just replied that the 1st 5 kits went w/o write ups, unfortunately. Don't forget to unplug the PSP fuse.
Please post feedback here, positive & negative. Thanks!

 

Condor Power steering Delete Install Procedures

1. Remove your power steering system. This includes the pump, FL4 100A PS Pump fuse in the engine bay fuse box, lines, and reservoir.
Da_Ghost shared this:
The FL4 100 amp fuse for the power steering is UNDER the fuse box. You need to disconnect the battery, remove the positive cable on the fuse box and the two bolts holding the box, then flip it over and remove the cover. There's 2 or 3 fuses under there, just make sure it's the correct one you're taking out and they are held by torx screws.

2. Turn your rack full lock from one side to the other side 3-4 times. This removes unnecessary fluid.

3. Slide 1 washer onto the smaller banjo bolt. Slide the delete onto the smaller banjo bolt. Now slide 1 washer onto the same smaller banjo bolt. Your delete should be sandwiched between 2 washers on the smaller banjo bolt.

4. Slide 2 washers onto the larger banjo bolt. Slide the larger banjo bolt with the 2 washers onto the delete. Now slide 1 washer onto the larger banjo bolt.. Your delete should be sandwiched between 3 washers on the larger banjo bolt.


5. Install your delete onto your rack by tightening your banjo bolts.

6. It is important to make sure you do not over *tighten it. You do not want to crush the UHMW.

Questions? email us at condorspeedshop@gmail.com

 

1st unbiased feedback from r34king:
Done. Its a heavy feel. THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. I like the feel. Its very connected to the road. But it does require more work from the driver. On a lo g highway run you don't feel it. If you don't drive long trips or drive mostly in the city you will hate it. I'll upload a few pics later today.

Read more: http://www.*********************/for...#ixzz38aJzpiz2

 

Thanks for honest feedback!

 

r34king further rated the kit an improvement over having a dead pump in. On a scale where:
1-dead pump
10-good pump
He rated it 3-4. With all other PSP issues eliminated, I'll take this anytime. I've an aftermarket steering wheel so i could change to a bigger 1 if I opt to. Some can go dorky steering **** route.
Also, I'm awaiting recommended torque spec from condor.
Please post up your reviews of this kit. Thanks!

 

Those who've gotten & tried this kit, please share your reviews on highway, city & parking steering feel here. Relatively rate it by this scale:
1-a dead pump (if you haven't tried 1, just remove the PSP fuse & feel)
10- a good pump.
Thanks!

 

I wonder how long before the lower column wears out with this mod? The lower column is already known to be a weak link with age and as of today is still on back order. It’s been on BO for nearly 4 months and it would not surprise me if they just make it NLA.

 

It's about time someone makes a beefier aftermarket lower column. Surely, it's not impossible. Viability is the question.

 

I had heard from a dealership the part would be available some time in November mine hasn't failed YET...but i wanted to have one avail.

Maybe ECS tuning can provide some confirmation ??

 

I heard the end of July in April. I'm glad I got mine when I did.

The BMW parts chain is a shell of what it was 10 years ago. I'm still of the thoughts that the part will go NLA or there will be such a short run that it will be NLA a few months after the back orders are filled.

 

RDY4TKF, installed yours? Please post your views on install & steering feel. Thanks.

 

I just finished installing it. It took me just under 2.5 hours. Haven't gone for a drive yet. I'll post my review later.

 

That's pretty fast! Grats. Awaiting your review.
Got mine, too! Tons of thanks to Condor!

 

just ordered mine right now, look forward to more reviews of the kit guys!

 

We all know what to expect. It's about personal preference or getting used to. I've asked Condor for their relative review of this & their e30 ones. E30 owners who've done this actually prefer delete over having PS.
They also tried to get torque specs but their torque wrench has 24.5ft.lbs which is too high. Guessing it should be in the mid-teens, so please take extra caution & don't over-tighten.

 

You can't compare the results of an E30 (rear wheel drive) to the Mini. FWD has it's own issues with the drive wheels being steered--torque steer etc. Only people who are using the Mini kit can provide real feedback for this product. I have a kit sitting here, but have yet to install it. My car is strictly for track use and the feedback from other owners (that I trust) that track their Mini's -->not worth it unless your pump is actually toast.

 

All true. My kit is sitting not to wait for reviews (as I've driven mine w/o power steering twice when the alernator & crank pulley expired), but as a ready option if & when the pump goes. I'd take anything better than a dead pump w/o worries of failing PS fan, leaks & fire risk.

 

My ps went out yesterday, with the ignition off it would stay on :( heard when that happens it could catch fire lol so i just removed the 100amp fuse and drove to work this morning with the pump off and its bad but its not impossible like some people say it is. Once the delete kit is on and the ps fluid out im sure I'll be happy with it as i dont have $600 for a new pump lol

 

This is where $50 > $600.
But shouldn't MINI shoulder your pump under warranty? I'd say grab that so you'd have a choice of w/c to keep/use.

 

updated review from r34king:
"Well after 3 weeks with mine in, I can say I love it. Got used to it after a few days and now I wouldn't go back unless I lost an arm. Although parking maneuvers are still tricky."

Read more: http://www.*********************/for...#ixzz3Amlqzmba

 

I know NAM filters the URL. Can you tell us the part that is censored without making it a URL (perhaps writing it out with s p a c e s ) I'd like to read what you've written.