Hello guys.
Previously I made a thread here about power steering issue in my Honda Civic Reborn 2008. I needed some help regarding that issue. But now I got that issue solved, so I thought I should create a thread to help other pakwheelers.
Ride:
I have Honda Civic Reborn 2008 model. Its Oriel and Prosmattic and had mileage of 85000.
Issue
Since almost 6 months, (from June 2017 onwards) I started facing power steering oil leakage issue. I got it checked from 2 different mechanics and once I had to change the PS oil bottle and other time I had to get power steering rod (Kanghi) repaired. It costed me around 12000. (1500 for bottle change, 7000 for power steering rod repair and 3000 for mechanic). It stayed fine for almost a month and then again I kept seeing oil leakage. So, whenever I had to use my car, I had to fill up the oil bottle. It costed me almost 1000 per month ( 2 x bottles of STP PS oil per month) Kept this practice for almost 6 months as I could not find any workable solution.
Proposed Remedy
I was told that I have 2 options, get a new kanghi for my car or get whole stuff changed to Electric Power Steering (EPS). Difference between both options was almost 15000. If I change the Kanghi only, there were almost 100% chance that this new kanghi will almost get worn out after 1-2 years. That means it is not the permanent solution. So, I went for 2nd option; change the old Hydraulic power steering to Electric Power steering.
Implementation of The Best Option
Now all I had to do was; find an EPS that is taken from a single JDM car with uncut wiring and reasonable price and a mechanic that could fit it properly without any issue
The Struggle
I am currently employed in Rawalpindi. I went to Sultan da Khoo to find an EPS. I came into contact with couple of sellers but no one could actually show me the right product that I liked. Furthermore, their prices for EPS were 35000-45000 (35000 for item of their choice and 45000 for item of my choice).
I then went to Peshawar to find the EPS from a single nose cut. Sadly I also could not find any reasonable EPS with guaranty and in reasonable range. Price for a mix product was 25000. Which I was not willing to buy for even 10000. Because mixed EPS can give lots of issue and even instant jam during a journey.
Then I came to Lahore, my birth city, and went to Bilal Gunj. Here I found the desired product with desired results. I spent 3 days for this whole procedure. 2 days for recce of the item and finding the correct person and correct product. Then on 3rd day I finally got it changed.
I found these 3 guys who were trust worthy and had actual Electric Power Steering from one unit. You can find their details on cards below.
- Ali Brothers - 0300-4243915
- Lal Brothers - 03224842310, 03224441117
- Domelo Brothers - 0320-4073607, 0322-4404712
Here in Pak wheels few people gave recommendation for Domelo brothers, so I was more inclined towards them. All 3 gave same price quote for 1 single unit; 30,000 for unit and 5000-7000 for replacement and 5000 for whatever comes out of my car will be subtracted from actual amount.
EPS unit which I got from Domelo brothers was in best condition and one could easily see that it was from a single unit, not a mixed combination and wiring was intact.
Mechanic shop was just infront of Domelo's shop and I had to spend almost 6 hours for this whole swap.
How Swap Took Place
They removed the previous power steering completey. Electric power steering has 3 major components.
1. Power Steering Rod (Kanghi)
2. ECU Unit for Electric Power Steering (EPS ECU)
3. Cables
Kangi was installed where old HPS kanghi was installed. Then they installed EPS ECU at the back of car ECU and connected wires with engine and car ECU. Then main cables were connected with EPS ECU and kanghi.
Important: He replaced the pump with a new pump that had no valves. He told that he did not change this pump in another car and that got jammed after 2 days. So that guys had to pay another visit for that replacement. <--- I dont know that mean and what he actually did.
Total Cost
As my old HPS system had faulty kanghi (the main item) so I sold it (HPS kanghi, pump & pipes) at the same shop for 6000. So, the total cost for this went to 29000 with everything included.
EPS for 30,000
Mechanic Charges - 5000 (it included both mechanic and electrician)
sold HPS for 6000
Total Cost = 29000 Payed the complete amount to Javed Domelo who then payed to electrician and mechanic at his own.
The Difference After the Swap
1. Steering felt little lighter. It was like 19-20 difference, but still the EPS is softer than HPS.
2. Got rid of stupid oil leakage forever.
3. There was NO difference in fuel mileage as some guys told that it will improve the mileage. But I am getting same mileage (11-12 in dense traffic like on Murree Road, 13-14 on normal roads like Kashmir Highway and 15-16 on motorway and GT road.) I measured this mileage through ELM 327 bluetooth device.
My Recommendation
Remember, almost all reborn get this power steering oil leakage issue one time or another. If your car develops this oil leakage issue and you want to keep this car with you for some time, best option is to change it to EPS. However, if you want to sell this car, change the faulty HPS item (kanghi or pump) and sell it immediately as this does not have any guaranty.
If there is anything else you want to know, let me know.