anaximander

iTrader: (1)

Anyone who's driven a few 3rd gens should've noticed that some of them have a relatively easy-to-turn steering wheel, while some of them are nice and tight. Does this have to do with the rack and pinion adjustment or something else? I've heard of a guy who had it tightened up by his mechanic.

Shugarhi

iTrader: (1)

i like mine nice and loose =)

Scope

iTrader: (5)

I had my rack and pinion done. The mech did it tight and I hated it so he loosened it for me

Shadow1198

iTrader: (1)

Yeah. my steering is tight also. It's a little heavier than you would think it should be, but it's much more direct that way. I prefer that over loose steering. My brother rebuilt his power steering and now it is so light that the car wanders all over the place on the highway, due to the sensitivity.

MrGone

iTrader: (30)

hmmm
I prefer a tighter feel, its more sporty

VEMaxSE93

I have a '93 SE. My steering is nice and tight, the way God intended! I've heard the GXE's steering is a lot looser. Any thruth to that?

anaximander

iTrader: (1)

Yeah the gxe's definitely is. However this is an SE and the rack and pinion was changed on it, so I think that's where its being loose comes from.

Any other options to change the tightness beside the R&P setting?

KRMaxima21

Mines is a little loose on my GXE but then again I need a new steering rack. How much did a new steering rack cost ?

bonzelite

iTrader: (2)

i have noticed that as my power steering pump ages (i have replaced both powersteering hoses to remedy leaks, but have yet to replace the actual pump), the steering has become more sluggish. i have another max with a newer pump and the steering is much lighter. so in my case it is probably the power steering pump starting go out. car steers fine, but is notably heavier. i like a mid-way sweet spot of "tight but light." i think that when i do replace the pump (which will be soon), i will have to get used to a "super light" feel. but this is only a guess at this point.

propz'

when i dropped an engine in my old ve auto , i fscked up the pump , and the steering was tight , at first it bothered me the hard steering was great at high speeds (130) i felt safe doing that speed. now with my new ve 5 speed getting over 100 tends to be sloppy and unsafe feeling, lowered and all . has anyone ever thought of some pressure bypass to adjust the response?

jaguax

iTrader: (1)

I love easy steering, my dad has a 69(I think) Rolls Royce with a big a$$ steering wheel and I sware you can steer it at a complete stop with your pinky finger. It's like the steering is not even there and you are riding on air. It's unbelievable.

MaDMaX024

i'm also interested in tightening up my steering feel...its not that its overassisted, its just too loose

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

there's a lot of issues here...

and when you're talking about tight steering response, you need to indicate whether you're talking about play (or lack of it) in the system, or whether the wheel is hard to turn or not..

The GXEs did have a lighter steering response (easier to turn the wheel).. the pump ANd the rack are different for GXE and SE, and many 3rd gens have already had one--or both--swapped by now. the SE steering is much more firm, but a 1/4 turn on the wheel will still give you the same turning circle on an SE or GXE. the angles are the same and such, just more power assist on the GXE.

anaximander

iTrader: (1)

The wheel on my previous SE was not hard to turn, matt. It was simply tight and I felt having more control/response over the car/by the car. The best comparison is the scroll speed of a computer mouse. You know when it's too fast you can't control it properly.

Golden Ice

I personally prefer really really loose steering..we have a '78 cadillac that you can also turn with your pinky at a dead stop..same with our '63 Buick Rivierra..makes for effortless cruising comfort..the caddy handles 2x better than my max does on long S-curves and right angle turns or turns that double back on themselves, but the Max will take short quick turns better..though, I'm a little weird I guess because I like not having complete control over a vehicle, such as slick road or gravel, so long as I'm not in traffic..that comes from my MTB racing days, I think..going down a gravel hill, slam the rear brake and kick it sideways for a few feet then finish the 360..I never won a race but I won the show-off trophy most of the time

hm, I just reread everything I just typed and decided it was somwhat OT..I have a GXE and love the steering for everyday driving, but its not too good for cruising..

todamax

iTrader: (6)

My GXE has a very light steering response. Its waaay to light for my tastes. My SE is very stiff, and about perfect.

I guess I always wondered if there was an adjustment in there somewhere, but not enough to dig through the FSM.