No power steering - TOO stiff?

[Lex]

Hi guys, finally up and running in a retro finally but am still struggling to get my head around the lack of power steering.

I get the fact that it's stiffer when parking (and wow is it stiff!), however it seems to contradict what everyone has ever told me about non power steering cars when it comes to being on the move. Going round a bend at say, 40mph could be just as stiff as if I was doing 5mph and frankly I find it a bit scary.

Everyone says "When you're on the move you can't even tell the difference", but for me it's a nightmare. I get out of breath just going to the shops in it! Even my dad was a bit wary when he took it round a corner and he's spent most of his life without power steering.

Are some cars really like this on the move and I'll just get used to it or could there actually be something wrong? I first thought it drove like the tyres were flat (really same sort of feel in the handling as if the two front tires were flat), but when I went to put some air in they were all about 1.5 / 1.6 which is what it recommends. Air made no difference!

I've got a set of Ronal Turbos to go on 15x7 with 195/45 tires but wondering if that will make it even worse. Currently got 13x5.5 steels with some obscure balloon size tires 155/80 or something.

Car isn't a tank, it's just a little 1980s Mitsubishi Colt.

Also, do slightly smaller steering wheels make it easier?

Here's a picture of an amazing Pao as my thanks ;D



Cheers

[CanMan]

Smaller steering wheel will make it worse as would wider wheeks but it definatly sounds like something aint right. Maybe hit the weights?

[scoobypete]

I cant remember what the steering was like on mine tbh....ive just fitted power steering to my subaru hatchback by transferring all the gubbins from a higher spec model without any hassle,just wondering if any mitsubishis like yours came with it that you could swap over?

[Robinxr4i]

I would check the steering wheel and column aren't fouling/rubbing against something. IMO it really doesn't sound good!

[speedy88]

Is the colt lowered? Might be a wishbone issue if so?

[bortaf]

Jul 17, 2011 18:39:44 GMT speedy88 said:

Is the colt lowered? Might be a wishbone issue if so?

Sorry not up on that particular car is it rack or steering box?
could be many things TBH, a seized ball jont, steering column U/J, TRE, does the steering self center when coming out of a bend ?

[Lex]

Nope standard height. So high I'm surprised I don't get light headed ;D

The tires really even look deflated even though they are at the recommended 1.6bar. Wondering if I should put in 1.7bar on the front tires just to make them a bit harder.

Also the 5 door models of these came with power steering, but I have 0 experienced / confidence working with cars and can't really afford to get someone to fit power steering for me in all honesty.

[Lex]

Jul 17, 2011 18:49:46 GMT bortaf said:

does the steering self center when coming out of a bend ?

Yeah it does

[micrat]

as above really, doesnt sound quite right, i had a jetta with 15x7s and it was a beast at low speeds but once you are on the move it shouldnt feel cumbersome.

smaller steering wheels and wider wheels both make it heavier as a rule (imagine a steering wheel as a lever, more effort required the smaller it is)

i cant imagine a standard height/standard wheeled car should be that heavy? doesnt have anything obscure like a steering box or any serviceable parts does it? if not then like the other guys say check for fouling on stuff...

that pao rocks too

[speedy88]

I'd be interested to know if it's still stiff if you jack up the front and get both wheels off the floor.

[ben711200]

Jul 17, 2011 19:09:37 GMT speedy88 said:

I'd be interested to know if it's still stiff if you jack up the front and get both wheels off the floor.

I'd say that's a good call to check first

Something certainly sounds amiss if it really is that heavy at speed. Is it maybe suspension geometry related? It really shouldn't be that bad once the car's on the move.

1.6 bar=23.something psi? That may be correct but does sound a tad low; my personal preference is normally for higher pressure. I run about 30psi (2ish bar) on the Fiesta.

[col]

the tracking on my car was way out which made the steering alot heavier when on the move as the wheels where fighting eachother. i got used to that, but once i got the tracking sorted.... it felt much lighter and gave better feedback (along with next to no understeer). so maybe its worth checking your tracking.

[ChasR]

I'd jack your wheels up and see if it is still stiff. In addition to that, get two newspapers and drive the front wheels onto them. If it is still heavy, I would look for a faulty steering component.

Otherwise, check the geometry. Could be knackered rear bushes (castor changes) or as said, the toe in or castor.