Is there any way to make steering wheel lighter(softer)?

[kdyg123456]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, kdyg123456, as ol @Tcoat pointed out, the steering on the FR-S is about as light as steering gets. Assuming, the power steering unit is working properly and the associated systems are working and aligned correctly.

I would suggest you go after the root cause of your pain.

My keyboard, non medically trained diagnosis of your pain is that you have bursitis. I would prescribe you take a NSAID (like Aleve) for a week, as directed, to see if the pain subsides.

If not, you may consider an injection of a steroid into the affected area of your shoulder.

Along with one or both of those suggestions, use your left arm and shoulder for most of the steering for a week.

If none of that works, I refer you to the "Chief" down at the Pot Shop on River Road, in Puyallup. He will fix you up with some herbal medicine ......

DISCLAIMER: NEVER follow medical advice from some old man on a car forum!




humfrz

Thanks for the advice. I think i'm pretty sure it's because of the steering wheel since it just happens since i got this car. And recently i drive my friend's civic for about two weeks my shoulder becomes better.

Driving with left arm does help but it's not a ultimate solution i think... since there are always many cases i have to pull my right arm in. And btw i have already got a cortisone shot which helps for about a month and it gets back to how it was again after that...

[strat61caster]

Reduced caster will reduce steering loads, but I do not know of anything other than an aftermarket lower control arm that will help with that. And shelling out over $500 for a cheap one plus alignment, you have a part that will not have the same level of longevity as the OEM control arms because they all replace the polyurethane bushings with spherical joints. But hey, might be worth it depending on what you want to do with the car.

And y'all are crazy, the steering on this car is stiff, hop into a plain jane commuter car and that mush behind the steering wheel barely qualifies as 'resistance'. If anything OP might be white knuckling the wheel? Loosen the grip, relax in the car, sometimes you don't realize how tense you are in every day situations.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by kdyg123456

Thanks for the advice. I think i'm pretty sure it's because of the steering wheel since it just happens since i got this car. And recently i drive my friend's civic for about two weeks my shoulder becomes better.

Driving with left arm does help but it's not a ultimate solution i think... since there are always many cases i have to pull my right arm in. And btw i have already got a cortisone shot which helps for about a month and it gets back to how it was again after that...

Well, I reckon it's off to The Pot Shop for you......

Seriously, I hope you find a solution to your dilemma ......


humfrz

[Hades]

You could probably do something like in this post: http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=111532

No idea if any of this is applicable to our cars, though, since the car in the article is older & much simpler

[kdyg123456]

Originally Posted by Hades

You could probably do something like in this post: http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=111532

No idea if any of this is applicable to our cars, though, since the car in the article is older & much simpler

This articles indicate is it possible to adjust ECU so that more assistant will be provided?

[Hades]

Originally Posted by kdyg123456

This articles indicate is it possible to adjust ECU so that more assistant will be provided?

Like I said, no idea how/if this applies to our cars. Theoretically, it's possible. But, the ECU is pretty much a black box in most modern cars, and you'd need somebody to reverse engineer those parts (if you're not willing/able to yourself). Also, I'm not even sure the ECU in our cars is involved in the EPS system. Really, I just posted the article because I found it interesting and relevant to the thread.

[chaoskaze]

Originally Posted by kdyg123456

This articles indicate is it possible to adjust ECU so that more assistant will be provided?

nope, our car's power steering unit is a "assist unit" unlike most other electric steering rack where they do the work for you... if that makes any sense.

Are you driving with both hand? O...o ........I had a tough time when I just installed my STI steering rack bushing so I kind know how you arm can hurt from such simple task. Good thing it got back to normal after like a month.

[steelheart100]

Originally Posted by kdyg123456

The car i purchased comes with the 18inch TRD wheels with 215/40/18 front and 225/40/18 rear YOKOHAMA S.Drive and the TRD lower springs.

Those wheels are awesome. I want to put those on my car. The springs too.

[PetrolioBenzina]

Describe your driving position. Move your seat?

OTH, the way you casually mention replacing the car to fix your problem I'd just do that!

And the 17 has a noticeably heavier steering feel compared to a 13, or at least mine does. And the steering wheel covering sucks as well.

[Brink]

Go buy yourself a Range Rover Sport. I drove one of those once, steering is so soft it feels like you're not even driving. Brake pedal was disturbingly soft too.

Steering on a 2017 BRZ does feel a bit heavy though, not sure how it matches up with the 86 but I'm guessing it's similar. I started having shoulder problems a few months ago, not sure if it was because of all the driving or something else, but I took my car in to get an alignment a week or so ago and it turns out the factory alignment had the toe on the front wheels basically pulling to the left a bit. Maybe the constant effort to keep the car straight, though generally not particularly noticeable, strained something. Get your alignment checked (and fixed if needed), and make sure your seating position/steering wheel position isn't putting undue strain on your arms and shoulders.

[Decep]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Heavy steering? Get the alignment checked. This is one of the lightest steering cars I have ever driven. Not sure what you would replace it with that would be lighter.

ehh?? It's not overly boosted and its gearing is such that it doesn't take a lot of turns to turn it to full lock, so its quite a bit firmer than your average car. I can see OP complaining about it but only if he's parallel parking a ton...

[bcj]

Check the tire pressure right now.
If it's below 35psi run it up to that. If it already is, then try 37psi for a week.

The steering column can be adjusted up and down, in and out. Tried that?

Is it pulling or pushing that is the most aggravating?
Try pushing only for a while using the side bolsters to brace against.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

If you want a car that you can drive with a thumb this one isn't it.

I mean... I do drive with a very loose grip, and a couple fingers.

Maybe I should compete in the strong man competition?

[pinoy_dorifto]

Originally Posted by kdyg123456

The car i purchased comes with the 18inch TRD wheels with 215/40/18 front and 225/40/18 rear YOKOHAMA S.Drive and the TRD lower springs.

Get some camber bolts for the front and put some -1.5 camber.