[Don]

Problem - Steering feels stiff & doesn't really re-centre.

Background - mk2, 67k. Standard suspension, wheels recently changed from 14x60x185 to 16x45x195 (mk2.5 sport alloys)so essentially standard. Had geometry checked today & it was within tolerance to manufacturer standard.

The garage is a jap car race/drift/rally specialist so I assume they know their stuff. They said it could be a knackered/dry ball joint or a problem with the steering rack. There was not enough time to take the wheels off to check today, but the lad did say he checked the adjuster on the rack (apparently there's something which varies the steering resistance?) but it was rusted & certainl didn't look like it had been moved for a year or two. I will put it back to them for a more thorough check but I wondered whether anyone here had any suggestions before I do that. They may know their way around Skylines and Evos but they ain't Nutzers

So, any ideas?

 

[Don]

Hubs checked out fine. Garage suggested problem may be with steering rack but I couldn't see why this would just happen all of a sudden. Today I put the old wheels back on & the steering is back to normal. The tyres on the old wheels are pretty much new as well.

So,
195x45x16 Toyo T1R's & the steering feels stiff and doesn't want to re-centre as readily.
185x60x14 Toyo CF1's & the steering feels light & pings back to centre without hesitation.

Could it just be a case of getting used to the feel of the new wheels & tyres? I have never changed wheel size on a car before so I have no experience of how it effects the feel of the car.

 

[wheels-inmotion]

What's the difference in the wheels off-sets?..... Any chance you could display the geo report?

 

[MY JO]

Have you checked the power steering fluid ?, could be a simple as a leak in the system causing heavy steering.

Michal

 

[Don]

Have you checked the power steering fluid ?, could be a simple as a leak in the system causing heavy steering.Michal

The power steering fluid is fine, it is definitely connected to changing the wheels. Somehow...

 

[UTU (Rich)]

Seems like you've answered your own question - heavier (IIRC the Mk2.5 sport wheels were one of the heaviest OEM alloy wheels fitted to a MX5), wider wheels with grippier tyres are not going to feel as lively and sharp as your light 14's!

Sounds like you need to get used to them or find another wheel you like!

 

[friendly1_uk]

to what degree is it stiffer? Is it something you can feel, but nobody else? try letting a friend drive the car and see what they think without prompting them that you think the steering is odd.

swapping the wheels over once is not really conclusive. It could be that working on the car disturbed the fault. I would want to fit the other wheels a second time, and remove them a second time. Then i would need 2 sugars as its odd..

 

[Don]

Seems like you've answered your own question - heavier (IIRC the Mk2.5 sport wheels were one of the heaviest OEM alloy wheels fitted to a MX5), wider wheels with grippier tyres are not going to feel as lively and sharp as your light 14's!Sounds like you need to get used to them or find another wheel you like!

It is something I can get used to & the car definitely looks better with the 16's on it. I prefer the feel of car with the 14's on it but I now have a set of 16" sport alloys with T1R's which have done less than 500 miles so I'll just have to like it