Steering
05-07-2011, 04:59 PM
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Steering
What is the purpose of the speed sensitive steering? I test drove a 03 today with 50,000 mi.. It was very hard to steer at low (parking lot) speeds. It had new front tires but not rears. Seemed to drift to the right at highway speeds also. I'm concerned the alignment might be off and they replaced the tires to cover the tracks. What actually controls the steering? Could something be screwed up in the computer to cause this? Other than that the cat is in great shape.
05-07-2011, 05:05 PM
#2
What is the purpose of the speed sensitive steering? I test drove a 03 today with 50,000 mi.. It was very hard to steer at low (parking lot) speeds. It had new front tires but not rears. Seemed to drift to the right at highway speeds also. I'm concerned the alignment might be off and they replaced the tires to cover the tracks. What actually controls the steering? Could something be screwed up in the computer to cause this? Other than that the cat is in great shape.
05-07-2011, 05:31 PM
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Um, I believe if you were to check, the driver's brain controls his (her) appendages which in turn contol the steering wheel which in turn controls the steering shaft which in turn controls the hydraulic valve in the steering unit while at the same time controlling the pinion gear which in turn controls the rack gear which in turn controls the inner tie rod end which in turn controls the outer tie rod end via a connecting shaft. The outer tie rod end in turn controls the steering knuckle/spindle assembly which in turn controls the wheel/ tire combination. Perhaps my query wasn't stated clearly enough for some of the more seasoned mechanics on this blog. What I was wondering about was the term "speed sensitive". Is there some other device thrown into the mix of items I have listed to make this mechanism more "sensitive" to driver input at certain speeds than at other speeds? Or is this just another standard "rat and pigeon" steeriing system with some fancy name to increase sales?
05-07-2011, 05:48 PM
#4
Speed Sensitive Steering
An outgrowth of power steering is speed sensitive steering, where the steering is heavily assisted at low speed and lightly assisted at high speed. The auto makers perceive that motorists might need to make large steering inputs while manoeuvering for parking, but not while traveling at high speed. The first vehicle with this feature was the Citroën SM with its Diravi layout[citation needed], although rather than altering the amount of assistance as in modern power steering systems, it altered the pressure on a centring cam which made the steering wheel try to "spring" back to the straight-ahead position. Modern speed-sensitive power steering systems reduce the mechanical or electrical assistance as the vehicle speed increases, giving a more direct feel. This feature is gradually becoming more common.
An outgrowth of power steering is speed sensitive steering, where the steering is heavily assisted at low speed and lightly assisted at high speed. The auto makers perceive that motorists might need to make large steering inputs while manoeuvering for parking, but not while traveling at high speed. The first vehicle with this feature was the Citroën SM with its Diravi layout[citation needed], although rather than altering the amount of assistance as in modern power steering systems, it altered the pressure on a centring cam which made the steering wheel try to "spring" back to the straight-ahead position. Modern speed-sensitive power steering systems reduce the mechanical or electrical assistance as the vehicle speed increases, giving a more direct feel. This feature is gradually becoming more common.
05-07-2011, 06:02 PM
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Thank you NISMO for an intelligent answer. I noticed the steering wheel really tried to re-center it's position a lower speeds. None of the others (newer models) I have driven were this noticeable. Is this a quirk of the 03 model since it was the first year, or could there be a problem?
05-07-2011, 06:09 PM
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A note. I just noticed on the specifications for different models of 350Z
that the steering on the 03,04, & 05 models is refered to as" Engine speed sensitive rack and pinion", while the 06 and up is referred to as "vehicle speed sensitive". I've driven 05 and 06 models and they did not have such heavy steering at low speeds. ???
that the steering on the 03,04, & 05 models is refered to as" Engine speed sensitive rack and pinion", while the 06 and up is referred to as "vehicle speed sensitive". I've driven 05 and 06 models and they did not have such heavy steering at low speeds. ???
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05-08-2011, 11:48 AM
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As the front end bushings wear out the low speed steering gets harder and harder.
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