steering wheel tightness 06 vs 08
05-15-08, 11:23 AM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Yea, definitely felt the difference between my 06 IS350 and a loaner 08 IS250 from Southbay Lexus, which felt a lot tighter/better.
Does anyone know if 06/07 owners can change their power steering pulley to a 08? If it's the pulley which made the difference in steering tightness, an 08 might have a smaller diameter power steering pulley. If my assumption is correct, that means tighter steering feel + more power to the wheels!!
Does anyone know if 06/07 owners can change their power steering pulley to a 08? If it's the pulley which made the difference in steering tightness, an 08 might have a smaller diameter power steering pulley. If my assumption is correct, that means tighter steering feel + more power to the wheels!!
05-15-08, 12:35 PM
#17
Pole Position
The power steering ECU has not changed from 2006 - 2008. The rack has changed, however. 2007 - 2008 have the same part number but it's different than 2006.
These cars don't have power steering pulleys. The system is completely electric. No pumps, belts, pulleys, etc.
These cars don't have power steering pulleys. The system is completely electric. No pumps, belts, pulleys, etc.
05-15-08, 12:38 PM
#18
Yea, definitely felt the difference between my 06 IS350 and a loaner 08 IS250 from Southbay Lexus, which felt a lot tighter/better.
Does anyone know if 06/07 owners can change their power steering pulley to a 08? If it's the pulley which made the difference in steering tightness, an 08 might have a smaller diameter power steering pulley. If my assumption is correct, that means tighter steering feel + more power to the wheels!!
Does anyone know if 06/07 owners can change their power steering pulley to a 08? If it's the pulley which made the difference in steering tightness, an 08 might have a smaller diameter power steering pulley. If my assumption is correct, that means tighter steering feel + more power to the wheels!!
05-15-08, 12:56 PM
#19
Pole Position
This is an interesting thought. The rack itself is the same between 2007 - 2008 IS250/350/ISF. I wonder if the standard IS power steering ECU could be replaced with the ISF's?
05-15-08, 01:15 PM
#20
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There is nothing in Lexus Tech Info about any changes to the steering for '08. You would need to look up the part numbers for the steering ECU and the steering rack to see if there are any updates.
Keep in mind, different tires will feel very different, so what you are feeling could easily be related to the tire selection Lexus made for 2008.
Keep in mind, different tires will feel very different, so what you are feeling could easily be related to the tire selection Lexus made for 2008.
I highly doubt the POS 18" Bridgestone Turanza touring tires we got attributed to a better steering feel..
Joe Z
05-15-08, 01:23 PM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
I read in a few places. (can't find it right now) that the 2008 IS's did receive some kind of steering update.. whether it was hardware or software i am not sure..
I highly doubt the POS 18" Bridgestone Turanza touring tires we got attributed to a better steering feel..
Joe Z
I highly doubt the POS 18" Bridgestone Turanza touring tires we got attributed to a better steering feel..
Joe Z
What's New for 2008
For the 2008 Lexus IS 250, a handful of minor changes take place, including a new "Liquid Graphite" finish for the wheels, revised front seatbacks (to provide more rear legroom), recalibrated steering for better feel and the addition of a coin holder.
05-15-08, 01:52 PM
#22
Pole Position
You are correct,
What's New for 2008
For the 2008 Lexus IS 250, a handful of minor changes take place, including a new "Liquid Graphite" finish for the wheels, revised front seatbacks (to provide more rear legroom), recalibrated steering for better feel and the addition of a coin holder.
What's New for 2008
For the 2008 Lexus IS 250, a handful of minor changes take place, including a new "Liquid Graphite" finish for the wheels, revised front seatbacks (to provide more rear legroom), recalibrated steering for better feel and the addition of a coin holder.
05-15-08, 02:23 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
I thought about that myself, hopefully someone will figure out the specs of the 2008 and subsequently figure out how to retro our older models to expereience this tighter feel. I have yet to test drive an 08.
05-15-08, 03:21 PM
#24
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Here's what I think we need:
L-tuned ECU upgrade
Daizen bushings
Lexus really f-ed up the steering on this car and it would have been sooooo damn easy to get it right:
1) Make the regular IS the normal Lexus limp-wristed type
2) Make the sport package IS more like the ISF with upgraded components for those of us who prefer to drive our cars.
Honestly, if you can't turn the wheel on a real car, take a taxi.
05-15-08, 07:22 PM
#26
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I really hope there is something we can do to tighten up the steering a little...after driving the ISF I noticed the difference too...the ISF felt more like my BMW.
I definatley agree with the above statement about different tires changing the feel of the steering!
I definatley agree with the above statement about different tires changing the feel of the steering!
05-16-08, 06:33 AM
#27
Just because the physical steering ECU is the same part from 07 to 08 doesn't mean the -programming- on the ECU is the same, assuming it's a flashable/programmable PROM of some kind.
Many B and F body GMs for example can use the exact same ECU part number but received significantly different programming (different speed limiters, spedo calibrations, transmission programming, rev limiters, and more)
Many B and F body GMs for example can use the exact same ECU part number but received significantly different programming (different speed limiters, spedo calibrations, transmission programming, rev limiters, and more)
05-16-08, 06:38 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Just because the physical steering ECU is the same part from 07 to 08 doesn't mean the -programming- on the ECU is the same, assuming it's a flashable/programmable PROM of some kind.
Many B and F body GMs for example can use the exact same ECU part number but received significantly different programming (different speed limiters, spedo calibrations, transmission programming, rev limiters, and more)
Many B and F body GMs for example can use the exact same ECU part number but received significantly different programming (different speed limiters, spedo calibrations, transmission programming, rev limiters, and more)
05-16-08, 08:42 AM
#29
Pole Position
Just because the physical steering ECU is the same part from 07 to 08 doesn't mean the -programming- on the ECU is the same, assuming it's a flashable/programmable PROM of some kind.
Many B and F body GMs for example can use the exact same ECU part number but received significantly different programming (different speed limiters, spedo calibrations, transmission programming, rev limiters, and more)
Many B and F body GMs for example can use the exact same ECU part number but received significantly different programming (different speed limiters, spedo calibrations, transmission programming, rev limiters, and more)
05-16-08, 08:57 AM
#30