2016 FRS steering feel lighter than the previous models?

[FX86]

Originally Posted by 86wtywly

Drove a 2014 two years ago. That steering feels heavier and provides more steering feel in my opinion

but two years is a long time...what did you drive after the 2014 model?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by 86wtywly

Drove a 2014 two years ago. That steering feels heavier and provides more steering feel in my opinion

Shit, I don't think I would recall the precise steering feel from a car I drove two years ago even if I drove it every day!


The arm dyno is no more reliable than the butt dyno after that long.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by 86wtywly

Juz got a 2016 frs. Everything is fine except steering feels lighter than before. Drove a 2014 model two years ago. The steering used to feel a little heavier. To me, that provides more steering feel.

Anyone know what's going on? They changed the steering on the 2016 model?

Hello, there, 86wtywly .........

What's going on?

It could be a couple of things.

* you had a very small representative sample 2 years ago (one car ..??).

* it could be the fact it was two years ago ..... ...... recollections can change over time.

Time fer ma nap ...... I suggest you chew on those possibilities .....


humfrz

[86wtywly]

Originally Posted by FX86

but two years is a long time...what did you drive after the 2014 model?

I had a evo x. But I don't really think that is suitable for me. No connection with the car whatsoever. That's why I changed back

[FX86]

Originally Posted by 86wtywly

I had a evo x. But I don't really think that is suitable for me. No connection with the car whatsoever. That's why I changed back

how was the steering feel on the evo?

[86wtywly]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Hello, there, 86wtywly .........

What's going on?

It could be a couple of things.

* you had a very small representative sample 2 years ago (one car ..??).

* it could be the fact it was two years ago ..... ...... recollections can change over time.

Time fer ma nap ...... I suggest you chew on those possibilities .....


humfrz

It might be those factors. Probably I am paranoid.

[86wtywly]

Originally Posted by FX86

how was the steering feel on the evo?

Direct, precise, and heavier feel comparing to frs I am driving now.

[86wtywly]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Shit, I don't think I would recall the precise steering feel from a car I drove two years ago even if I drove it every day!


The arm dyno is no more reliable than the butt dyno after that long.

Ur probably right man. Maybe I am over analyzing the situation.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by 86wtywly

Direct, precise, and heavier feel comparing to frs I am driving now.

Evos used a hydraulic assist instead of the electric motor. They did have a heavier feel but I never quite liked the ever so slight lag that I felt it had. Wasn't horrible but was enough that several abrupt opposite turns could get interesting. I will take the electric assist over hydraulic any day.

[wireman957]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Evos used a hydraulic assist instead of the electric motor. They did have a heavier feel but I never quite liked the ever so slight lag that I felt it had. Wasn't horrible but was enough that several abrupt opposite turns could get interesting. I will take the electric assist over hydraulic any day.

^^^this
For years the only steering assist that most cars had was hydraulic and the very nature of hydraulics means there is at least a bit of a lag while the hydraulic fluid compresses enough to do its job, especially when it gets a little old. I find the progressive nature (based on speed) of the 86's electronic assist feels very natural. It is much more communicative than the steering in my old 924, which at the time, was remarkable. Compared to the Santa Fe I traded in to get my FR-S, the steering in my 86 is perfect. It's like I just have to think about turning or changing lanes and the car does it. I honestly don't feel like I've ever had such control over a vehicle in my 45 years of driving. Smooth turns, induced over-steer, whatever, I see zero issues with the steering in this car.

[MrDinkleman]

Originally Posted by 86wtywly

It's a new car though shouldn't be having any problems with alignment

Not necessarily. I've had two new cars that needed to go back to the dealer to have the alignment adjusted.

Originally Posted by 86wtywly

So I should check my alignment first?

Yup. And tire pressures. I believe they ship cars with the tires overinflated (forgot reason why) and the dealer may not have let air out during the prep work.

[MrDinkleman]

Actually, after giving it some more thought, I agree with the OP that steering feel on the FRS does feel light and it doesn't track as straight as I like. I was thinking it would be great if I could increase caster but then I discovered that caster is not adjustable and I've been meaning to ask if anyone in aftermarket part land makes a part to make caster adjustable.

[billwot]

Originally Posted by 86wtywly

Drove a 2014 two years ago. That steering feels heavier and provides more steering feel in my opinion

Wow, that's really amazing that you can remember something so precisely for 2 years!

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by MrDinkleman

Actually, after giving it some more thought, I agree with the OP that steering feel on the FRS does feel light and it doesn't track as straight as I like. I was thinking it would be great if I could increase caster but then I discovered that caster is not adjustable and I've been meaning to ask if anyone in aftermarket part land makes a part to make caster adjustable.

RaceSeng CasCam plates. Some plates add a set amount of caster (RCE and Velox, I think) but RaceSeng is the only one that is adjustable.

Make sure all the other stuff is good though. The OEM front spec is 0 +/- 0.75°, with the wheels no more than 0.75° apart. So conceivably, one wheel could be 0, the other could be +0.75°, and they would still be in spec. Also check the toe. The OEM range is 0 +/- 0.19° for each wheel, and that could have significant effect as well. A good performance alignment might fix your issues without having to drop $500 on a set of camber plates.