Steering has become lighter [CL9]

**Kevl** · 19-12-2011 06:51 PM

Hey guys,

Got back from a road trip today the steering on my Euro has become a lot lighter.

Car was parked for 3/4 days (maybe 30-40 metres from the sea if that makes any difference). When we left, the car made an odd noise when I first accelerated (on a slight slope on gravel with full lock to get out of the space).

Now I feel like the steering is a lot lighter (i.e. more power assistance) than it used to be, really noticed it on the way home. Not crazy light but lighter than before. Doesn't feel like anything is broken.

For comparison, it used to be quite a lot heavier than my parents car (02 Rav4) and my previous car (97 Civic) but not now (only a little bit heavier than the Rav4 now).

Any thoughts or am I just feeling things lol.

**senna** · 19-12-2011 07:28 PM

Have you checked your tyres? Sounds silly, but if the car is wearing the inner edges in an extreme way there can be less resistance from the tyres and make it easier for you to turn the wheel.

Another thing to check can be the adjustment of the steering rack power head - this looks like an inward hex fitting around 25mm I.D. that pre-loads the input shaft (pinion) against the rack.

With the info you've given thats about as much as i can tell - unless someone wandered past your car while it was parked and played with your power steering pump and rack!

**Kevl** · 19-12-2011 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by senna

Have you checked your tyres? Sounds silly, but if the car is wearing the inner edges in an extreme way there can be less resistance from the tyres and make it easier for you to turn the wheel.

Another thing to check can be the adjustment of the steering rack power head - this looks like an inward hex fitting around 25mm I.D. that pre-loads the input shaft (pinion) against the rack.

With the info you've given thats about as much as i can tell - unless someone wandered past your car while it was parked and played with your power steering pump and rack!

Thanks for the reply.

I haven't checked the inside of the tyres and will tomorrow morning. The tyres are only 4-5000kms old so I hope this isn't the case!

As I am not very mechanically minded, how likely is the second scenario? Could a larger rock in the gravel (or a bump which was sticking out) cause it to be not adjusted correctly?

Haha, I guess people in NZ don't have anything better to do :P

**senna** · 20-12-2011 11:40 AM

Both situations are fairly rare to be honest, if in doubt i would just head straight to a suspension and steering specialist so they can diagnose for you.

**richard_k** · 20-12-2011 07:29 PM

have you changed the battery recently?

**aaronng** · 20-12-2011 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Kevl

Car was parked for 3/4 days (maybe 30-40 metres from the sea if that makes any difference). When we left, the car made an odd noise when I first accelerated (on a slight slope on gravel with full lock to get out of the space).

Odd noise is from your rear brake pads binding to the rotors. It happens when you park outdoors because of the moisture and regular steel in the rotors causes some rust.

Originally Posted by Kevl

Now I feel like the steering is a lot lighter (i.e. more power assistance) than it used to be, really noticed it on the way home. Not crazy light but lighter than before. Doesn't feel like anything is broken.

For comparison, it used to be quite a lot heavier than my parents car (02 Rav4) and my previous car (97 Civic) but not now (only a little bit heavier than the Rav4 now).

Any thoughts or am I just feeling things lol.

You are just feeling things, especially if you were driving a different car during the road trip and got used to how heavy that car's steering was.

**Kevl** · 20-12-2011 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by aaronng

Odd noise is from your rear brake pads binding to the rotors. It happens when you park outdoors because of the moisture and regular steel in the rotors causes some rust.

Ah I see, that sounds about right as the rotors were a little bit rusted.

You are just feeling things, especially if you were driving a different car during the road trip and got used to how heavy that car's steering was.

Was driving my car the whole way but this could be the case. Thanks for the reply.

**Kevl** · 20-12-2011 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by richard_k

have you changed the battery recently?

I haven't. Think aaronng is probably right, probably just got used to driving the car for extended periods (hadn't driven the car for more than an hour straight before this trip).

Your avatar looks awesome btw. Makes me want to change the wheels on my car lol.

**Grayfox** · 20-12-2011 08:56 PM

My Accords steering got heavy when the tires are inflated above what the manual said, I am not fully sure but if the tire pressures are low it may make steering light.

**marquee** · 20-12-2011 09:17 PM

unloaded is 32psi fully loaded is 36 from memory on long drives i go to 38

**richard_k** · 22-12-2011 08:25 AM

try going from a hq one tonner to the accord. bit of a difference then haha

**terryansimon** · 16-01-2012 02:38 PM

you may be experiencing the same issues that I am experiencing.

my car has been making intermitted squeaking noises, especially when reversing under load (onto a slope, turning when reversing plus slope, etc). two visits to the dealership and they have not been able to pinpoint it.... until a few days ago. they finally found the sound, and they said it's got something to do with some bushings/seals not being greased/dry, and since it is connected to the steering column, it resonates louder in the cabin. I didn't know if they were pulling my leg, but since it's a warranty repair, I figured why not.

it also coincided with lighter steering as experienced by a friend, who claims that if the car hits an uneven patch on the road, the steering moves a lot more than on a Jazz/HRV. now I'm not sure if he just wasn't used to driving my car, or if the two issues (squeaking and supposedly light steering) are related, but I guess I'll find out next week when I send my car in to get the bushings replaced!