Steering has become lazy/light after 1200km

[scottrichardson]

Hi all,

I couldn't find a specific forum for 'steering', so figured this would be the ideal place.

I have only had my 86 GTS manual for 4 weeks and have only done 1250 km on her, but as of about 3-4 days ago, my steering started to feel a bit different.

It's hard for me to explain, but the best description is light, lazy, and vague.

When I first got it, the steering was tight, responsive, and reactive. I felt connected to the road and could feel the car pull and had lots of feedback.

But now, it feels light.. I feel less feedback from the road - very little at all. I feel that I have to turn the wheel more than I should - almost like the power steering is on, but not assisting.

It is certainly worse at low speed than it is going faster, but even then there's little feedback or resistance when cornering and I still feel like the car isn't responding. At high speed I feel like there's a delay in the car responding to my turns.

I have checked tyre pressure and it's all fine.

I am stumped honestly. My local dealer took a quick ride and says it felt normal, but i KNOW it's nothing like what it was like when I got the car. A perfect indication something is wrong: I couldn't stop finding reasons to get out and drive the thing, and now I am finding excuses not to drive it

Overall the steering feels sloppy, light, and slippery and not tight, resistive and responsive.

Any ideas on what might cause this type of thing?

I understand it is electronic power steering?

Scott

[Areddi]

I know my steering felt better toward the break-in mileage eclipsing. I think the electric motor assist takes a little bit of breaking in as well.

Probably just in your mind. New things will do that to you, just go with it and to see it through some twisty roads or a local autocross and see if it feels weird after that.

[scottrichardson]

What's the average 'break-in' mileage, would you say?

[grodenglaive]

Some cars have an adjustable pre-load for the steering rack. I don't know if that applies to the FR-S, but if that was set too loose it would make the steering pretty sloppy.

[scottrichardson]

Originally Posted by grodenglaive

Some cars have an adjustable pre-load for the steering rack. I don't know if that applies to the FR-S, but if that was set too loose it would make the steering pretty sloppy.

Interesting, IF the 86 has one and that is the cause, sounds like a fairly straight forward way to fix the problem.

[strat61caster]

You could just be getting used to it, try driving another car.

[BlaineWasHere]

If you really think something is wrong just take it to the dealer. It's still under warranty.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

You could just be getting used to it, try driving another car.

x2

I always thought that the steering on my GTI was very light, until that time I went to another country for a month. Once I came back I couldn't believe how much heavier the steering felt even though nothing has changed.

Not saying that this is exactly what your experiencing, but it could be one of the reasons.

[ft86Fan]

Too much air in the front tires? I remember growing up my friend put 80 psi in all his tires and he asked me why his steering is so light.

[husker741]

Did you hit a pothole that could've messed up the struts or anything?

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by NorseLegend

Attachment 32216

...that's one way to put it.

She looks like an owl.

[Huehuecoyotl]

tire pressure check time

[asia_minor]

Originally Posted by Huehuecoyotl

tire pressure check time

this.

[naikaidriver]

Is it possible that your arms got bigger?

Scott