Poor Steering Feedback/Response.

[IrishMofo101]

Hey guys.

Have a S14a kouki , 98 with low mile's.

Suspension wise i have.

Apexi N1 Pro's. Half StifnessLargus Sway Bar. Energy Links.JIC Arms and Rod's.16inch Teamm Dynamic wheels ( British racing wheel ). ( 38-39psi ) as i have a large tire with a healthy side-wall 205 55 r16..Front and Rear Struts.

So the problem.

It seems the steering is so light that im receiving little or no feedback , I understand that this could be due to stiffness , tire pressure , and rigidty but i mean i cant really tell whats going on underneath me , Im comparing this to my mg zr which is a british sports car and its so stable and sure footed.

Should i remove the power steering belt , and see how the car feel's , or maybe my steering bushes are worn? or any idea's or tips.

Thanks alot!!.

Merry xmas-new year!.

[94_240sx]

I don't know if this will help or not but... I'm in the middle of replacing a rubber bushing with a solid aluminum one. It looks like this. I've never seen it before, so it was interesting to see this. You should try it and see... I'm waiting on aluminum bushing to arrive, so I can't give you feedback on it.

[RyanAwesome]

Check your caster settings too.

[adrianfromthecastle]

Check your caster settings too.

+1

[IrishMofo101]

Thanks guys , il need a alignement done so i will hopefully dial in some extra caster , and il also price up the steering bushing and maybe the steering rack bushing.
Modified by IrishMofo101 at 1:23 AM 12/26/2007

[94_240sx]

and il also price up the steering bushing and maybe the steering rack bushing.

steering bushing = aluminum for suresteering rack bushing = yanack aluminum bushings can be harsh, so you should go with nismo bushings

[IrishMofo101]

Thanks for the advice , so is the general conclusion that steering bushes and wacked out caster are to blame any other problems that could cause this.

[Nismo_Freak]

If you want more steering feedback you need to run more caster. Dial in the caster around 9.0 degrees and you should note a slightly heavier feel in turning. Be sure to turn the wheel lock to lock to make sure the tire won't contact the body with caster settings that high.
Modified by Nismo_Freak at 10:35 AM 12/27/2007

[RyanAwesome]

less caster can increase turn in response though.

[Nismo_Freak]

less caster can increase turn in response though.

And what does that have to do with this thread?

His problem is steering feedback. You want to increase caster to increase the amount of effort at the steering wheel. It's about the only thing you can do.

Most of the difference in response is because the MG has a go-kart-esque wheel base so the car pivots very quickly. That and the Europeans believe in steering feel moreso than the Japanese.

[IrishMofo101]

thanks nismo freak , i understand what you are providing about the mg wheelbase.

Although for a car that is so highly rated in auto x drift etc i cant believe it can feel so ' floaty '.

thanks for the help. I need an alignement done after this il dial up the camber and see where this gets me.
Modified by IrishMofo101 at 1:21 AM 12/28/2007

[IrishMofo101]

Ok found out the issues.

My stock front tension rod's rubber bushing was literally ripped from the arm. Not good!.

Also my steering bushings where gone.

And im also suspicious of the car's overall setup.

So i ordered a complete set of kazama tension rods , toe arm's , toe ends. Nismo powerbrace and some fresh bolts all round.

[PapaBurgundy]

When you say the yanack bushings are harsh do you mean they wear on your steering rack or something or do they just beat the s*** out of you like a go-cart, cause thats how I like it.