Steering stiffness and Steering ECU?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Steering stiffness and Steering ECU?
I have found many threads and people complain what looks like most all years of the GS steering being too light.
The odd thing is my 98 GS4 has always been on the stiff side. Stiff meaning you AREN'T going to comfortably drive the car at slow speeds with one finger. My wife complains that she doesn't like driving my car because the steering is too stiff.
I have driven many cars of the years and I can say my GS (VIN under 4800, so an early model) is far from light steering. I don't complain, except at slow speeds you need to 2 hand it if you are going to turn it fast and tight turns.
Wondering if the early GS's were stiff and they did a running production change for the light steering and went too far?
Anyone with an early 98 GS4 think the steering is too light?
I have changed the ball joints in the last 8 months and has RP synthetic fluid in the PS, which I am going to change here this weekend again.
The odd thing is my 98 GS4 has always been on the stiff side. Stiff meaning you AREN'T going to comfortably drive the car at slow speeds with one finger. My wife complains that she doesn't like driving my car because the steering is too stiff.
I have driven many cars of the years and I can say my GS (VIN under 4800, so an early model) is far from light steering. I don't complain, except at slow speeds you need to 2 hand it if you are going to turn it fast and tight turns.
Wondering if the early GS's were stiff and they did a running production change for the light steering and went too far?
Anyone with an early 98 GS4 think the steering is too light?
I have changed the ball joints in the last 8 months and has RP synthetic fluid in the PS, which I am going to change here this weekend again.
#3
5% Club. Killing it!!!
iTrader: (15)
i have to say that i experience the the same stiffness at low speeds but seems to loosen up at great speeds like 60 + and then the shaking starts... at 80 its fine... I've just done ball joints as well so i'm sure other parts are worn and in need of replacement... The last couple days i've thought about the steering rack as well...
#4
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (21)
I've dealt with the frigging loose steering and 60-70mph steering shake for months. Two sets of rims and tires alignments, ball joints, etc.. Well as of yesterday NOOOOO SHAKE!! Hallelujah!
I must have caught the tech on a good day. Had the car aligned after Swift springs/ bilsteins and 30mm RCA installed. Went to discount tire and had them re-balance all four wheels. Stated that I was getting steering shake and could he tell that to the tech. Done and the tech tells me that all the wheels were off balance
This had been my 3rd time i've had the wheels balanced by the same discount tire and all those times it shook. He also told me I had a slight bend in my pass front wheel and that the shake would still be there.
I remembered the large pot hole I hit on the highway the day prior so I knew that had not been the cause of the shake.
Took the car on the highway and smooth as glass. This paired with the steering ecu and bracing the lower steering column shaft the car rides excellent. A pleasure to drive.
I must have caught the tech on a good day. Had the car aligned after Swift springs/ bilsteins and 30mm RCA installed. Went to discount tire and had them re-balance all four wheels. Stated that I was getting steering shake and could he tell that to the tech. Done and the tech tells me that all the wheels were off balance
This had been my 3rd time i've had the wheels balanced by the same discount tire and all those times it shook. He also told me I had a slight bend in my pass front wheel and that the shake would still be there.
I remembered the large pot hole I hit on the highway the day prior so I knew that had not been the cause of the shake.
Took the car on the highway and smooth as glass. This paired with the steering ecu and bracing the lower steering column shaft the car rides excellent. A pleasure to drive.
#5
My girl loves it STIFF..................But seriously, I like the steering stiff eventhought it's a 300 it's still a 98 so I would assume it's the same idk, most threads on here complain about the steering being too loose, you should consider yourself lucky
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#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
Same here, no vibration (I did steering rack bushings recently, but still never had vibration), mine's just stiff (firm). Not bad, just not one finger steering like the 99-00 GS owners seem to complain about.
I flushed the power steering and put in Amsoil ATF. I pumped the Royal Purple out, filled with Amsoil, ran it and turned wheel back and forth and did it again 2 more times. So it is pretty red color now, got the black looking RP out....
Will see how it does now.
I flushed the power steering and put in Amsoil ATF. I pumped the Royal Purple out, filled with Amsoil, ran it and turned wheel back and forth and did it again 2 more times. So it is pretty red color now, got the black looking RP out....
Will see how it does now.
#9
5% Club. Killing it!!!
iTrader: (15)
Same here, no vibration (I did steering rack bushings recently, but still never had vibration), mine's just stiff (firm). Not bad, just not one finger steering like the 99-00 GS owners seem to complain about.
I flushed the power steering and put in Amsoil ATF. I pumped the Royal Purple out, filled with Amsoil, ran it and turned wheel back and forth and did it again 2 more times. So it is pretty red color now, got the black looking RP out....
Will see how it does now.
I flushed the power steering and put in Amsoil ATF. I pumped the Royal Purple out, filled with Amsoil, ran it and turned wheel back and forth and did it again 2 more times. So it is pretty red color now, got the black looking RP out....
Will see how it does now.
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Silly question, be careful of course, but at 60 mph with the vibration, does it occur still in turns? If the wheel turns, does it change?
#12
Pole Position
I think the stiffness at slow speeds is related to the the steering getting stiffer when no RPMS are revved probably because the power steering pump. Anyone change this and still have this problem?
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
I flushed the Royal Purple PS fluid out yesterday and put in Amsoil ATF, I think it is a little easier at low speeds, but still normal feeling at high speeds.
It is very hard to make a claim because I can't easily make a ABA compassion.
Either way, I think it feels better at least.
It is very hard to make a claim because I can't easily make a ABA compassion.
Either way, I think it feels better at least.
#14
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
I must be in the minority cuz I don't have stiff steering or steering wheel shake at all in both my GS's. The only time it felt stiff is when I had the L-tuned steering ECU installed, but since I had coilovers I took the L-tuned out and car suspension and steering feel is perfect.
#15
I must be in the minority cuz I don't have stiff steering or steering wheel shake at all in both my GS's. The only time it felt stiff is when I had the L-tuned steering ECU installed, but since I had coilovers I took the L-tuned out and car suspension and steering feel is perfect.
my steering is stiff all the time .
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