Nick and Robbie, very interesting observations, I have BRB's on my Roadster that that narrows the turning circle, so makes tight parking a chore. Power steering is not something I had seriously considered, but maybe I need to try a car fitted with it.
To (possibly) get rid of the rubbing you can do the following:
1. Introduce a few penny washers between the lower end of the BRB and flange of the chassis. Thus the whole BRB will move a few mm upwards and hopefully get clear of the tyre.
2.Take the BRB off (take care so the KP does not move!), put in a vice and then squeeze it a little so the cross section becomes oval exactly where it touches the tyre, with the same aim.
3. Both...
4. Live with it as it is, just taking care not to put the steering wheel at full lock. Then you have to move more back and forth in tight places, a LOT easier with PAS, as you rightle assume.
I could have lived with the heavy steering when parking etc, as long as the car moves you get along although it is hard work. It was on the road I really experienced the benefit, being able to relax at the wheel. The Roadster as it is not a relaxing car to drive. The BRBs helped somewhat to get the car more planted and calm, the steering damper quite a bit more, ant a Panhard rod made a big difference. But the PAS is superb, for reasons explained above.
