Steering Adjustment

[magikbaker]

Is there anyway to make the Steering more responsive on a 2005 Legacy? I was hoping to make some sort of modification to make the steering more sensitive.

[Huffer]

Lighter wheels, install lightweight power steering pulley.
Install smaller steering wheel.
More work - install quicker steering rack.

[magikbaker]

There is no way to adjust the slack or sensitivty directly on the steering wheel I have?

I want a slight turn of th wheel to cause a greater turn angle. My car used to feel fairly tight however now it feels very loose. I bought it with 30k now it has 45k and a new set of tires.

How much would a steering wheel pulley cost and what exactlly would that do?

[Huffer]

You have an 05... it's possible that the power steering or bushings in the steering rack are wearing out.

The steering rack ratio controls the number of turns to full lock - the angle is controlled by the overall physical geometry of the wheels versus suspension/control arms.

A power steering pulley reduces the overall mass the pump has to turn, which in turn lightens the load, resulting in a probable lighter feel.

It won't affect the total steering angle though.

The tires could also be affecting it - new rubber grips better than worn rubber, so it's possible that as a result of the new grip the wheels want to "resist" turning tight arcs.

[magikbaker]

I dont really want the steering to feel lighter so I dont know if the pulley will give me what I want. I think I would want to adjust the total angle ratio.

[Huffer]

I want a slight turn of th wheel to cause a greater turn angle. My car used to feel fairly tight however now it feels very loose.

You don't get it - these two things you're talking about are quite different.

One is a "feeling" the other is a physical geometric change.

[magikbaker]

I know that I am not explaining this clearly. I was expecting that there is some bolt you can tighten similar to how you would make throttle more responsive Etc.


I understand the difference between a feeling and geometric change. Either way teh goal is to turn the steering wheel an inch and have the tires turn4 inches rather then now say turn the steering wheel an inch and the wheels move an inch.

So I do actually want it to phsically be different however, as a producti of this i expect it to feel more sensitive.

[rougeben83]

steering rack bushings. They make them for the 05+'s too.

[magikbaker]

Is there a certain brand you would recommend? Also it is a 2005 Legacy 2.5 non/Turbo. I have been able to fine some however non-have specifically been made for a non/GT model. Would there be any difference here?