All,

I've been driving my FD for about a week now, and one thing that I am sure of is that the power steering is way out of control. I am not turning my car into a trailer queen, so I have to retain the steering for streetability.

I wish the car had some kind of speed-sensitive PS, but I think that's an out-of-the-question modification. I was thinking of trying to simply reduce the power boost, perhaps with a restrictor somewhere in the system. Either that, or look into a magnetic clutch that I could use to turn the PS on and off from the cockpit.

Has any experimented with this sort of thing? Any experience you have would be greatly appreciated,

-ch

 

The p/s isn't speed sensitive on an FD? It is on FB's and FC's... power assist is completely gone over something like 50-60mph.

 

FD p/s IS speed sensitive - yours may not be working correctly.
also have your alignment checked/reset to factory specs, alignment settings have a large influence on steering feel - a few mm of additional toe-out can make the car very "DARTY" and sensitive to small steering imputs.
The easiest way to reduce the p/s assist is to add an Underdrive pullys (smaller Main pully &/or larger Pump pully) In fact the most noticable effect of my SR underdrive main pully is the reduction in steering assist at low>medium speed.

 

All,

Thanks for the responses. I will definetly investigate the toe issue--this may be related to the rear links although they do not feel loose. When I replace with solid mounts I will align the car and see what happens. If this doesn't fix the problem, I guess I'll have to have someone inspect the PS system to see if its speed sensitivity is broken.

Thanks again,

-ch

 

That won't do a damned thing. Even at idle the P/S pump can produce an oversupply of fluid, meaning that at any engine speed the power steering assist will be the same.

 

Then how come I noticed an increase in steering effort when I added the under drive pully? Also if I am stopped (or nearly so) I can feel an increase in assist by reving the engine while turning the wheel vs turning the wheel at idle. I know this b/k parking my fd in my garage requires a full lock 90deg turn across a narrow driveway, holding 1200-1500 rpm makes this turn MUCH easier.