Is anyone adjusting steering effort?

[Rob37072]

Just curious, I would personally like the steering to be lighter. Heavy Steering does not Equal "Sporty" in my book after owning an EVO for so long. They have very light steering that is actually better than the FRS (In my opinion)

The Ferrari 458 i got to drive a few years back also had very light steering.

In both cases they had WAY more feedback than the FRS but significantly less steering effort.

My Manual Steering AW11 MR2 AND CRX actually had lighter steering once moving.

I've got 265's all around and the alignment is within factory specs. The steering response is great it just makes the car feel heavier than it actually is.

[Clipdat]

265 square? Wow.

"Within factory specs" doesn't mean anything regarding an alignment. If anything that means you need a better alignment.

Originally Posted by Rob37072

I've got 265's all around and the alignment is within factory specs.

[x808drifter]

265 on what wheels?
size and offset.

That alone can make a world of difference.

[guybo]

Is there any way to adjust steering effort other than messing with the alignment or wheels/tire sizes?

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by guybo

Is there any way to adjust steering effort other than messing with the alignment or wheels/tire sizes?

If there is, it isn't well known here. I presume what you're after is adding more steering assist from the power steering system, certainly theoretically possible either by modifying the power steering unit or maybe it can be adjusted via coding some ECU parameters, but again, it hasn't been explored to my knowledge.

The easiest solution would be lower control arms and reducing caster closer to zero, maybe you could find some top hats that could offer a similar effect, maybe taking some camber plates and rotating them could accomplish it as well.

[churchx]

Yes, less caster should result in lighter steering. So do deeper wheel offsets for scrub radius change. But most people do actually opposite, add caster for better handling/grip for more dynamic camber gain, more stability & self centering. I'm not so sure that just for steering feel lightening it's worth to make car handle worse and have deep tucked in wheels/narrowed wheel base.
This is cheap sporty coupe, not some expensive upmarket sportscar. Not worth to expect it to do everything best or to make it worse for sake of something that driver should adjust himself/get used to.

[stevesnj]

I don't think there are even any tunes that have steering mods. Unless you pull the PS motor harness but then you'd be 100% manual.

Found this.

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=111532

Or use this?

[Mr.ac]

LOL 265's and you complain about heavy steering?
Dude.......do you really need an explanation?

[churchx]

Also if it's pre 2017 twin (where IIRC it was one of things improved/fixed), PS as is can sometimes overheat to point of switching off as safety measure. I'm not sure it's good idea to mess with it to make it overwork even more.

[guybo]

I'm thinking I'd like heavier steering myself. Reducing caster would make the steering lighter but at the cost of less dynamic camber changes and reduced front end grip. It's a balancing act and this car gets it perfect out of the box, so I wouldn't mess with that.

But I'm wondering what it'd drive like with no PS at all. Is it as easy as pulling a fuse?

[Rob37072]

I'm running Enkei 18x9.5 +45mm
5.5 degrees of caster.

I'm not going to heavily compromise alignment or anything. I was just curious if anyone had attempted to mess with steering assist yet. I know it's an inexpensive car but there is no reason why cheap cars can't have more assist. I'm aware that steering "Feel" as far as feedback isn't something that is easy to mess with once you get past bushings and stuff.

I figured Assist, being that it is EPS and those usually have "assist curves", might be something we could modify with a flash.

[Rob37072]

Originally Posted by guybo

I'm thinking I'd like heavier steering myself. Reducing caster would make the steering lighter but at the cost of less dynamic camber changes and reduced front end grip. It's a balancing act and this car gets it perfect out of the box, so I wouldn't mess with that.

But I'm wondering what it'd drive like with no PS at all. Is it as easy as pulling a fuse?

I have a steep driveway and a baby. I once used it to get farther away before starting the car. The steering is VERY VERY heavy when the car is not running, even when it is moving. It's what I would call "unsafe" heavy. Give it a try, but do it where there is nothing to run into

[churchx]

guybo: just switch off engine while rolling. Sufficient for quick taste of PS-less steering. You'll be unpleasantly suprised imho. Without PS it's one of heaviest steering i've tried ever, on border of being undrivable (hence imho this car should never be towed with engine not running, too risky).
Heck, old soviet truck without powersteering i learnt driving on for license, was much easier to steer

On the other hand i like stock steering/PS overall as it is. Was easy adapt to, feel is very good, makes up one of reasons of why i like driving twins so much. About the only thing i'd like to improve - wider maximum steering angle from lock to lock. Despite smaller size it is a bit harder to manoeuvre in some tight spaces. Nothing on need to make it lighter or heavier though, feels great as is.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Rob37072

The Ferrari 458 i got to drive a few years back also had very light steering.

Mid engine, less weight up front. Suspension geometry and wheel offset/width will be a factor as well. They run 235's on 8.5" wheels up front to start.

Originally Posted by Rob37072

My Manual Steering AW11 MR2 AND CRX actually had lighter steering once moving.

Both are significantly lighter with MUCH narrower tires. Plus the MR2 is mid engine with less weight up front. They also have much slower rack ratios than we have as well.

The lightest steering I've ever driven in a performance car is a 993 911, SUPER light but also has a ton of feedback. It's almost too light on center though, I prefer a bit more weight at initial input.