[CL9] Steering Feels Heavy..

[audiboi]

Hey guys, I've had my 06 Euro for a few months now, and overall I'm pretty satisfied with the ride. One thing that's been bugging me is that the steering feels fairly heavy. This is more apparent when turning, where I feel like I'm having to use a bit more force that I should need to on a power assisted steering.

This car being the only Euro I've ever driven, I can't really compare to get a feel of what the steering *should* feel like. What are the obvious things I can look out for to see if there's something wrong?

Any input would be appreciated.

[HunterZero]

Has that car had the power steering hose recall replacement done yet?

- HZ

[audiboi]

Yes it has. Didn't make any difference...

[HunterZero]

By what other car benchmark is the steering feel of the Euro 'heavy'? Compared to your previous car? What was your previous car?

You might be able to 'test drive' another similar Euro from a dealer, and see what it's like.

Do you have the service history of the car? Any mentions of repairs to the power steering pump?

- HZ

[Fredoops]

I'm pretty sure the steering is designed to be full of feel. So it's logical it's heavier during turning, but I agree with HZ, test drive a new one and compare

[audiboi]

Yea, I'm comparing to my previous car which was a 03 Mazda 323. I do have the entire service history of the car, but theres no mention of any repairs.

I do realize my question is a bit vague, as its completely based on what I feel when driving the car - i suppose I mighy just have to hunt around for another CL9 that i could test drive and compare.

[Fredoops]

Or a Cu2, but I think Cu2 is slightly lighter compared to Cl9.

Btw I remembered the 323 & Laser steering is a bit corolla like, ie: no feel at all.

[afgmoh]

I know what you mean, I used to drive an 08 Corolla, and not even joking, the steering on that car was insane, it was so smooth and fast! The CL9 does need a bit more force, but i've had mine for about 3-4 months now and im used to it. It's really not that bad, and yes mines had the hose recall done. I think it's just purely, different car, different feel.

[adis]

My one has the same problem, more noticable after doing the recall job on powersteering hose.

[jono_l]

I'd say that the CL9's steering is on the heavier side when compared to the average car on the market these days. It's also worth pointing out that the Aus-spec CL9's PS system is still hydraulic, whereas the majority of new cars use an electric power steering system (aka EPS, EPAS, MDPS, and many other acronyms depending on the manufacturer) which allows for steering weight to be altered based on vehicle speed, etc. This speed-sensitive steering is not possible with hydraulic systems (as far as my understanding goes), hence a "compromise" is made so that we can still have a sufficiently-weighted steering at speed, whilst being able to turn the wheel without too much effort at parking speeds. Most EPAS equipped cars I've driven have much lighter steering than the CL9 at parking speeds, whilst being heavier at higher (i.e. freeway) speeds.

From my experiences, the CL9's steering is definitely heavier than any of the Corollas (AE101/102, ZZE121/122) that I've driven, but lighter than the old JS Vectra that I had, as well as a friend's current generation Impreza. I also had a chance to take a new Jetta for a quick spin round the block the other day - to me, the CL9 had heavier steering at low speeds, but a fairly similar, if not lighter feel than the Jetta at around 60-70km/h. Personally, I absolutely hate light steering as I associate it with "no road feel whatsoever", which explains why I just don't get along with the EPAS systems that everybody puts in these days!

For me, the PS hose recall did nothing in terms of altering the weight of the steering. A PS fluid flush made the steering feel much smoother, but no heavier/lighter in terms of resistance. And whilst it's nowhere near as bad as those silly new cars with EPAS which you can steer around the carpark with a pinky, I really wish the CL9 had heavier steering :P