Mx5 mk1 Non PAS - How heavy should it be?

[Ruffy94]

Ok well ive had my mk1 since December, knowing full well it did not have power steering. I was hoping that I would get used to it (im quite a big guy and didn't really think it would be an issue) but its really ruining the driving experience for me.

Ive checked just about every joint/nut/gaiter that I can and can see no problems. Ive lifted it so the wheels are off the ground and as it should, the steering becomes very light. Its had alignment done, ive done tyre pressures etc.

Is there anything else anybody can suggest? Or did they just design a really poorly geared rack for the car..

I have not driven another non power assisted mk1, I have let my dad drive mine and he seems to think it's far heavier than anything he has driven

[Sad Weevil]

I have the manual rack, and it's not heavy at all. Nowhere near as heavy as a mk1 Polo Mrs Weevil used to have. How light is it with both wheels off the ground? Can you spin the steering wheel from lock to lock? Can you grab the road wheel and turn it easily lock to lock? If not, you have a problem somewhere. Are the rack boots intact? Personally I think the power rack ruins the driving experience, but I realise I'm probably on my own on that...

[Ruffy94]

Sad Weevil said:

I have the manual rack, and it's not heavy at all. Nowhere near as heavy as a mk1 Polo Mrs Weevil used to have. How light is it with both wheels off the ground? Can you spin the steering wheel from lock to lock? Can you grab the road wheel and turn it easily lock to lock? If not, you have a problem somewhere. Are the rack boots intact? Personally I think the power rack ruins the driving experience, but I realise I'm probably on my own on that...

Well with the wheels off the ground I can turn the wheel lock to lock with just one finger on the wheel, can't see damage to any components. Its manageable at any decent speed out of town, but around town it can be a real pain to be honest.

[DrDantastic]

I'm with you Weevil. I de-powered my Mk2 and with sticky tyres on it's heavy at low speed but manageable. Much lighter than a lot of other non PAS cars!

[RT Phil]

I know you said you've done the tyre pressures but what pressures are you running?

[Ruffy94]

Currently theyre 28 or whatever ridiculously low figure the manual quotes. Ive tried everything up to 32 and didnt really help massively If Im honest

Edited by Ruffy94 on Saturday 20th September 23:26

[Itsallicanafford]

Man up my friend!..I've had my one with a manual rack for 4 years now, it can be heavy for parking but think of all that lovely weight you are saving by going for the base model.

[NDNDNDND]

Are you sure you have an OEM manual rack, and not a depowered powersteering rack? The OEM manual rack is pretty light.

Look down the left hand side of the engine, take a photo of where the column meets the rack, and post it up here.

I run a depowered rack now (properly done by removing seals internally etc.) and it can be a little heavy in urban situations, although it feels wonderful on the open road and gets better the harder you drive, feeling much more connected than PAS.

[Ruffy94]

NDNDNDND said:

Are you sure you have an OEM manual rack, and not a depowered powersteering rack? The OEM manual rack is pretty light.

Look down the left hand side of the engine, take a photo of where the column meets the rack, and post it up here.

I run a depowered rack now (properly done by removing seals internally etc.) and it can be a little heavy in urban situations, although it feels wonderful on the open road and gets better the harder you drive, feeling much more connected than PAS.

Definitely a manual rack. Maybe I just need to man up as previously suggested It was other peoples opinions of it being heavy in comparison to other non assisted cars they've driven, that made me question it even more to be honest. Maybe its just been too long since they've driven something without!

Idea is to upgrade it next summer with a bigger budget, but was hoping there was be something I could do in the meantime.

[Sad Weevil]

I'd leave it as it is. Like most manual steering, it's a bit vague around town, but once above 40 on the open road it's very good indeed with decent suspension and alignment, much more satisfying and precise to drive than pas in my opinion.
Ymmv.

[AlfaPapa]

I own a non PAS Mk1 and regularly drive a PAS Mk1 too (my partners). I definitely prefer mine.
Even as an 8 stone midget I don't find it too heavy at all. Are you making sure the car is moving when you turn the wheel?

[Ruffy94]

AlfaPapa said:

I own a non PAS Mk1 and regularly drive a PAS Mk1 too (my partners). I definitely prefer mine.
Even as an 8 stone midget I don't find it too heavy at all. Are you making sure the car is moving when you turn the wheel?

Sorry, was referring to to general town driving, any car will be heavy if you 'dry steer' it when parking. 40mph and above and I don't have too many complaints.(As its my daily driver it has to deal with town driving).

[MX-5 Lazza]

What wheels (width & offset) and tyres (brand/model & size) do you have?

[AlfaPapa]

Ruffy94 said:

Sorry, was referring to to general town driving, any car will be heavy if you 'dry steer' it when parking. 40mph and above and I don't have too many complaints.(As its my daily driver it has to deal with town driving).

Good good, apologies!

Mine is my daily driver (the Alfa being too thirsty and precious to leave parked up all day), and the only issue is clearance over speed bumps.
She's got 15" wheels on too which I would have thought would make the steering heavier again over the 14" wheels?

Other than what you've already done, I can't think of anything else to check though does seem odd that you are struggling

[Ruffy94]

Yes i would have thought bigger wheels would make it slightly heavier as well tbh

Tyres are Dunlop Sport BluResponse 185/60/r14 if I remember correctly. (tyres in pic are not the dunlops before anybody recognizes the tread pattern).

As for the wheels im not really sure. They're a set ive seen on many mx5's so im not sure if they are mazda or not? Although they look like a wheel that was made by TSW a while ago. This is the car...



Equally i think the steering wheel looks about the right size, so shouldn't be an issue. A standard gear knob was ordered from mx5heaven this morning as well, to finally replace that 'thing' after my dad stripped what was left of the thread holding it on, cheers.