Killer Door Handles! When is This Unecessary Crap Enough?

[MadAnt250]

As someone with a mechanic mindset I have strong opinions about all the unnecessary ways certain devices are controlled in modern automobiles. Although Tony talks about these issues in the electric cars, similar arguments can be made for non-electric vehicles as well. Other things that where mechanically operated in the past like parking brakes and gear shifters have gone electric and controlled by computers, which have had issues causing people to get stranded or have an accident(There was an incident with new Jeeps). For the sake of safety, when do we draw line at replacing simple with complexity? We have so much good safety tech in cars now, but when it comes to stuff like this, when do we say enough is enough?

 

Also, I've known about this for years, but people have the new car=better mindset.

 

[MadAnt250]

27 minutes ago, htimsenyawed said:

It could be argued that the electronics is simpler than a mechanical operation - but I agree with you. Some things I’m not comfortable being electric. Power steering is one, or a fully electronic steering rack. 

I've seen electric power steering fail, its kinda dangerous, but it was one of those systems that had a motor drive the column. If it was a motor that drove a pump it would would been 100 times safer, but GM will be GM.

Just look up Saturn electric power steering to see it.

[OhioYJ]

14 minutes ago, MadAnt250 said:

I've seen electric power steering fail, its kinda dangerous, but it was one of those systems that had a motor drive the column. If it was a motor that drove a pump it would would been 100 times safer, but GM will be GM.

Just look up Saturn electric power steering to see it.

 

So I've not worked on one of those systems, nor am I GM person, but aren't those systems still mechanically connected to the rack? They are just an electronic motor driven power steering pump is my understanding essentially. As these setups are now used to retrofit other vehicles. 

 

To me this really isn't an issue or unsafe. If it fails, you lose power steering, you don't lose steering. Same think if a brake booster fails, you don't lose brakes, you just lose power brakes.  

 

Fully electric things, that have no mechanical connection, yes absolutely a safety issue. 

[MadAnt250]

12 minutes ago, OhioYJ said:

 

So I've not worked on one of those systems, nor am I GM person, but aren't those systems still mechanically connected to the rack? They are just an electronic motor driven power steering pump is my understanding essentially. As these setups are now used to retrofit other vehicles. 

 

To me this really isn't an issue or unsafe. If it fails, you loose power steering, you don't lose steering. Same think if a brake booster fails, you don't lose brakes, you just lose power brakes.  

 

Fully electric things, that have no mechanical connection, yes absolutely a safety issue. 

The one I mentioned is worse than a motor powering a hydraulic pump(or it could just be GM trash). They can abruptly stop, which is worse than just losing hydraulic assisted power steering.

 

It could be that something was broken in the motor, but I did not have the chance to take the motor apart.