Electric Power Steering question

[Ads22]

Hi All

I have a bit of of a nerdy/technical question towards something ive noticed on all cars with EPS that i have owned.

With EPS i wondered why a lot of them occasionally vary in weight from time to time when you are driving them. It’s something im quite sensitive to annoyingly but noticed that on some days the steering will feel accurate and evenly weighted and sometimes it will feel quite a bit heavier to one side (not necessarily after a heavy lunch!) which makes turn in more difficult, so it feels like understeer?. I currently have this on an BMW E82 with M sport suspension but i think its too much of a coincidence to be a problem as ive had this often on other eps equipped cars (admittedly it is on runflats which doesnt help.)

Could this be something that tyres to contribute to? Even on a dry day in warm conditions? One thing i have wondered is if it caused by when the car pulls engine timing back (or just feels slower) for whatever reason so you dont get as much toe out on acceleration.

I have tended to go for cars with sportier set ups in the past, fiesta st and mx5 to name a few so possibly this is something that those set ups are more prone to when on uneven roads. As i have not noticed this as much on cars with regular set ups and lighter steering.


Weird question but would be interested to know the factors that would cause this on electric steering and if anyone else has ever noticed this.

[GreenV8S]

I'd attribute that to road camber changes.

[Ads22]

Would that also contribute to steering weight. I always thought EPS was supposed to be consistent but I notice that sometimes the steering feels heavier some days than others on various cars that I have owned.

[Dave.]

Which of those cars have the assistance in the column vs in the rack?

[Ads22]

Im not sure but to name a few mk5 golf, mk8 civic and currently e82 1 series. I think the golf had hydroelectric steering though if i recall.