Light power steering - can it be firmed up?
Discussion
garagewidow said:
what about fitting a 'T'piece into the pressure hose with an adjustable valve bleeding fluid back to the reservoir?
s'cuse my ignorance what's 'bump' mean?is it prompting response.
yes, that's what a bump is. The posts sometimes get pushed beyone page one before a possible audience has had the chance to see it. As regards your response; well I suppose that is possible, (without knowing what I am talking about), I assume that by limiting the fluid volume it will put less pressure on the steering, which in turn will make it stiffer; right? In saying all that, I was hoping for a less DIY solution. I don't know if the power steering is electric driven or mechanical/hydraulic.s'cuse my ignorance what's 'bump' mean?is it prompting response.
Try talking to a motability specialist. They are used to lightening steering for disabled drivers, If they can do this they can maybe work in reverse. A lot of electric P.S. systems can be adjusted electronically, mechanical systems involve playing with hydralics etc. A simple way to make it heavier is to hit wider tyres.
I haven't checked but I think the Subaru Legacy has a hydraulic steering gear with an engine driven pump.
If Subaru, at the design and developement stage, wanted to firm up the steering they would increase the dia of the torsion bar. They would be able to do this up to the point that the stress levels in the T bar become so high that it would not support the design fatigue life. To get beyond this point the maximum angular displacement of the valve would have to be reduced to lower the stress levels in the T bar. The limiting factor would be manufacturing capability.
Most aftermarket companies that offer this service do so by reducing the flow of the pump, this works to a limited degree but is fraught with danger if taken too far. The steering supplier and vehicle manufacturer will have set the pump flow to ensure that there is sufficient flow to maintain full system pressure if the vehicle is maneuvered rapidly (i.e. emergency lane change at high speed). If, under these circumstances, there is insufficient flow then an instant reduction in hydraulic assist pressure will be experienced and it will feel as though the steering has locked - it hasn't, it's just gone manual.
Most vehicle manufacturers set the pump flow to achieve a minimum of 1 rev (steering wheel)/sec.
If you do go this way test the modification by revving the engine up to about 4,000 rpm and moving the steering wheel as rapidly as possible in both directions. If it feels as though it is locking then there is insufficient flow and it need increasing.
Not sure if I have helped or hindered but at least I feel better.....
If Subaru, at the design and developement stage, wanted to firm up the steering they would increase the dia of the torsion bar. They would be able to do this up to the point that the stress levels in the T bar become so high that it would not support the design fatigue life. To get beyond this point the maximum angular displacement of the valve would have to be reduced to lower the stress levels in the T bar. The limiting factor would be manufacturing capability.
Most aftermarket companies that offer this service do so by reducing the flow of the pump, this works to a limited degree but is fraught with danger if taken too far. The steering supplier and vehicle manufacturer will have set the pump flow to ensure that there is sufficient flow to maintain full system pressure if the vehicle is maneuvered rapidly (i.e. emergency lane change at high speed). If, under these circumstances, there is insufficient flow then an instant reduction in hydraulic assist pressure will be experienced and it will feel as though the steering has locked - it hasn't, it's just gone manual.
Most vehicle manufacturers set the pump flow to achieve a minimum of 1 rev (steering wheel)/sec.
If you do go this way test the modification by revving the engine up to about 4,000 rpm and moving the steering wheel as rapidly as possible in both directions. If it feels as though it is locking then there is insufficient flow and it need increasing.
Not sure if I have helped or hindered but at least I feel better.....
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