Patsum

I bought myself the steering damper kit from sewell and will install it this week.

I was wondering and saw a few people briefly comment but not go into detail. The steering damper is pretty much a 550gram weight on the center of my wheel. I want to know from those of you who added more weight via tire weights or weight tape. How did the extra weight change the steering feel?

I ask because I really dislike my IS350's steering. Very much so. Stock 17s and stock suspension and brand new tires and the steering just sucks. The car handles well but I am always fidgeting with the wheel on the highway and it gets tiresome. The car is aligned and drives straight but I'm always correcting or playing with the wheel and it's obnoxious over bumps. Doesn't feel highway stable and annoys me. I came from a 1998 LS400 and a 2003 Mini Cooper S so I have had the most light steering to very very tight steering on both cars to this...

How much weight did you add? Or how much would you add? And where did you put the weights? equally on both sides or in the center? How did it change the feel with more or less?

Thanks

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

Im not sure how much help adding weights to the steering damper would affect it, but since your's an 06, i think a much better mod for steering feel would to be an updated ECU.

The 06 had the worst steering ECU; you can get an IS-F steering ECU

willSFP

I have always wondered the same. Coming from a G35 coupe, the steering on my IS has been pretty lifeless. I was thinking of adding more weight to my damper, but I don't want to mess with something that has been designed properly already. An IS-F steering ECU would be awesome

viprtwo

iTrader: (15)

i'll have an ISF steering ecu up for sale in the next few weeks.

Patsum

I'll buy it.

contact me

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

just a heads up, the f-sport steering and different IS-F years ecu will give you better feel too. Depends on what type of steering feel you want, you should research on the differences.

willSFP

This thread gave me a clearer idea of the steering ECU's https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ering-ecu.html

Patsum

Thanks, I actually already checked that entire thread out. I just have to decide if the result is worth the money.

For now I will experiment with weights on my damper.

nosurprise

iTrader: (1)

Some people said they feel a difference, some don't feel anything. I don't feel a difference. Your feel might vary.

willSFP

Update us with the outcome. I'd love to have a heavier steering feel for cheap

Patsum

I'll be sure to update. I think I have to add more weight to the center of the damper. Not the Edges. But I will try both ways and see the difference and report back.

yungsters

I also have a 2006 IS350 with steering dampers and the 2012 IS-F Steering ECU.

The steering damper is noticeable at first but less noticeable after about a week. I only notice it now when I drive long distance (my palm does not get numb from bumpy roads anymore).

On the other hand, the ECU really stiffens up the wheel in PWR mode (does very little without PWR mode). I still feel the difference even though I've had it installed for almost, if not already, a year.

edgeucated

iTrader: (4)

with weights added, im sure over time your body would re-adjust and you wont feel it for sure. This is because it's always in effect. The ECU changes the weight of the steering based upon a variety of factors, such as speed, so you'll never fully adjust to it, so you should always feel the steering being lighter or heavier at different times.

Kinda like how the steering is pretty easy to turn at very low speeds, but requires two hands at high speeds.

I would opt for the newer IS-F years or the F sport, because those apparently have the most revise steering