Options for tighter steering feel
10-20-11, 06:53 PM
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Options for tighter steering feel
I have a 1991 ls400 with 164K and I am looking at my options for a tighter *feel* in the steering. there is no play in the steering wheel but it takes very little touch to make the wheel turn when the car is started. I think this is inherit to how this car responds but I miss my tight steering and effort needed to move my wheel like my Volvo 850 turbo or even my chrysler town and country.
This may be silly but I am really curious. I had an acura TL before that was so light you would do a u turn with a pinky finger and not feel any response besides watching the road.
Maybe the steering feels sloppy but mostly I want more feedback and when I let go of the wheel it should SNAP back to center with some force and take some effort to move from center to the left or right.
any ideas?
-Patsum
This may be silly but I am really curious. I had an acura TL before that was so light you would do a u turn with a pinky finger and not feel any response besides watching the road.
Maybe the steering feels sloppy but mostly I want more feedback and when I let go of the wheel it should SNAP back to center with some force and take some effort to move from center to the left or right.
any ideas?
-Patsum
10-20-11, 06:59 PM
#2
How worn is your suspension? I replaced my outer tie rods and lower ball joints (they were badly needed) and my steering wheel feels super tight now
Edit: This is on my 90 LS with 262k
Edit: This is on my 90 LS with 262k
10-20-11, 07:00 PM
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not sure on the answer. but i got use to it pretty quick. coming from a 4-runner to the ls400. it was very strange at first. but now i have the feel for it. it seems normal now.
10-20-11, 07:11 PM
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I just replaced my left upper control arm and left lower ball joint to the tune of $1015
It did not help with the numb steering and slow kickback to center.
I know I could get used to it but it really does seem sloppy.
the outer tie rods?
I can check those....
It did not help with the numb steering and slow kickback to center.
I know I could get used to it but it really does seem sloppy.
the outer tie rods?
I can check those....
10-20-11, 07:15 PM
#5
Owch. Those uppers are $$$
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10-20-11, 08:24 PM
#8
DIY or having shop put them in? Alldata says 1.7 hours to replace both sides, plus you'll need an alignment. So if they're charging you $50 a rod, thats $100 in parts + roughly 2 hours in labor ($100+ an hour at most dealers) plus around $75 for an alignment. If you were local, i'd do parts, labor, and alignment for $151.03, but i'm cheap labor, haha.
10-20-11, 08:37 PM
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FANTASTIC!
this is exactly what I wanted
Now if I can only figure out what to do or where the wire is on my 1991....I emailed him and asked but I will try my hand this weekend.
Any ideas? PS ECU...hmmm...
Last edited by Patsum; 10-20-11 at 08:46 PM.
10-24-11, 04:02 PM
#10
Julian has been pretty good about wanting to help people out, but I think he may have moved away from autospeed a little, hopefully he will be able to point you in the right direction. Failing that you could just note (or ask) which circuit was used in that LS and find a wiring diagram for your car. I'm sure there must be one somewhere around CL
10-24-11, 07:01 PM
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Well gentlemen. I found out what the issue was.
This may seem really snobby but I generally don't question the way lexus engineers have done something when it comes to drive train components and such...SO I went to a lexus dealership and test drove a 1993 LS400 and my god...the steering was just right. It is not the LS 400 steering I have issues with...My car has something wrong with it.
The steering feels mushy.sloppy..there is not much play at a stop but when I am on the highway I cannot keep my hands on the wheel without it making me constantly over correct and re adjust even when I should just be making small corrections., I tested this versus my 1996 avalon and a 1996 volvo 850 and a 1993 LS 400 today
I don't know what could be wrong. My car is aligned pretty well. new tires.
left upper control arm and left lower ball joint all new
the car has 164K on it.
I am thinking my inner and outer tie rods could be the problem....the car should not be so quirky and fidgety and SLOPPY on the highway.
What else could translate into such sloppy behavior? The wheel does not have much play and the car is aligned just two days ago.
thanks all...this could get expensive quick...=/
This may seem really snobby but I generally don't question the way lexus engineers have done something when it comes to drive train components and such...SO I went to a lexus dealership and test drove a 1993 LS400 and my god...the steering was just right. It is not the LS 400 steering I have issues with...My car has something wrong with it.
The steering feels mushy.sloppy..there is not much play at a stop but when I am on the highway I cannot keep my hands on the wheel without it making me constantly over correct and re adjust even when I should just be making small corrections., I tested this versus my 1996 avalon and a 1996 volvo 850 and a 1993 LS 400 today
I don't know what could be wrong. My car is aligned pretty well. new tires.
left upper control arm and left lower ball joint all new
the car has 164K on it.
I am thinking my inner and outer tie rods could be the problem....the car should not be so quirky and fidgety and SLOPPY on the highway.
What else could translate into such sloppy behavior? The wheel does not have much play and the car is aligned just two days ago.
thanks all...this could get expensive quick...=/
10-24-11, 08:13 PM
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I will check to see if mine does or does not. I mean I think something has to be loose in my steering system. This has has been neglected in replacement items since 103K to 164K ..
Steering damper. rack and pinion. tie rods.
anything else?
Steering damper. rack and pinion. tie rods.
anything else?
