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Is C4 steering typically heavy?

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Old 07-12-2016, 10:05 PM
  #21  
jsmn4vu
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Originally Posted by Chevy-SS
Guys, I agree that the heavier steering is good for "spirited driving". But honestly, how much of that type of driving can you realistically do in your car on public roads?
A lot. And I'm 73.
I suspect that folks who have never known anything but power steering have a different "baseline" than those of us who came up without it.
Anyway, it is what it is. I will be curious to drive a few more C4's. But if steering is same in all of them, then there will never be a C4 sitting in my garage.....
It's O.K. ... more for the rest of us.

Last edited by jsmn4vu; 07-12-2016 at 10:06 PM. Reason: Include what was omitted
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Enderlin (07-12-2016)
Old 07-12-2016, 10:45 PM
  #22  
JrRifleCoach
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Originally Posted by Chevy-SS
Ugh, thanks. This may be a deal-killer for me. I felt like I was driving a tank, LOL.
I said it before and I'll remind you again.
The C4 is very much a drivers car than the 5 or 6's are..

You can always buy a Buick or Camery
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Old 07-12-2016, 11:27 PM
  #23  
cv67
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They will never feel as assisted as what youre used to.
Maybe newer is better for you

THe steering and brakes take more effort period just the way they are
Little to no nannies in these so you make a little more effort to drive them.

Most with the newer ones if you took the nannies off them would wind up in a wall the first mo of ownership.
Old 07-13-2016, 12:03 AM
  #24  
aklim
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
They will never feel as assisted as what youre used to.
Maybe newer is better for you

THe steering and brakes take more effort period just the way they are
Little to no nannies in these so you make a little more effort to drive them.

Most with the newer ones if you took the nannies off them would wind up in a wall the first mo of ownership.
Do you "He Men" remember those conversations with Grandpa and Dad about how tough their life was "back in the day" and how good you people have it today? I do. I'm sure Dad had that conversation about how rough life was in Grandpa's childhood. I have also had Grandpa tell me how amazed he is that we have all these fortunate luxuries which he couldn't imagine when he was a kid and I am sure, those of us who are parents will find themselves telling the kids how fortunate they are with all they have. "Why, back when I was a child, things weren't so good. We had to make do with......."
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Old 07-13-2016, 12:03 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
I said it before and I'll remind you again.
The C4 is very much a drivers car than the 5 or 6's are..

You can always buy a Buick or Camery
Is there a definition of what a "driver's car" is and who defined it?
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Chevy-SS (07-20-2016)
Old 07-13-2016, 12:11 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by aklim
Is there a definition of what a "driver's car" is and who defined it?
Ok...A car that is one with the driver.

ME!
Old 07-13-2016, 12:11 AM
  #27  
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You can be sure it's not a Buick or Camery
Old 07-13-2016, 12:25 AM
  #28  
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Could be underinflated tires or a need for new power steering fluid

Like someone else said its def heavier at parking lot speeds.

I just took "in cabin" video of me driving on a curvy road and I was able to steer on the less tight curves just fine w/ 1 hand. G luck w/ your search!
Old 07-13-2016, 12:28 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Ok...A car that is one with the driver.

ME!
First car they made probably didn't have more than a brake and no radio, AC or any of that powered stuff. IIRC they even had to be hand cranked to start. I'm sure people of that time would look at you with disgust turning a key to start it when those real men had to do it with hand power. Doesn't get more one with the driver than that when you have to start the thing by yourself and no wimpy frills.
Old 07-13-2016, 12:30 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by jay23ls
Could be underinflated tires or a need for new power steering fluid

Like someone else said its def heavier at parking lot speeds.

I just took "in cabin" video of me driving on a curvy road and I was able to steer on the less tight curves just fine w/ 1 hand. G luck w/ your search!
In her case, the tires were inflated right and we flushed her PS and it turned as easily as mine. Her hands just were getting weaker from arthritis which is making it harder for her to enjoy the drive. Kinda why she is asking me if there is a way to make is softer without having to redesign the whole car.
Old 07-13-2016, 12:50 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by aklim
In her case, the tires were inflated right and we flushed her PS and it turned as easily as mine. Her hands just were getting weaker from arthritis which is making it harder for her to enjoy the drive. Kinda why she is asking me if there is a way to make is softer without having to redesign the whole car.
I see. I dont think anyone knew the OP had that. Makes sense. Unfortunate for her but a C5 is not a bad downgrade
Old 07-13-2016, 01:26 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by jay23ls
I see. I dont think anyone knew the OP had that. Makes sense. Unfortunate for her but a C5 is not a bad downgrade
It is a friend of mine. If she wasn't so attached to the C4 because of her husband who passed, I'd be more than happy to fix up my C4 to have a light steering sensation (within reason) and have her buy me a C5 in trade. Instant LS upgrade. No worries that it won't talk to the rest of the stuff in the car.
Old 07-13-2016, 01:57 AM
  #33  
Churchkey
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PS pumps can be modified for pressure & flow. GM pumps when used in conjunction with Mustang racks (street rods) need reduced flow, an aftermarket valve is the fix.

Found a mod to improve GM pump performance.

http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/articl...rsteeringmods/
Old 07-13-2016, 04:01 AM
  #34  
streetstylekyle
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I actually just bought a 96 auto c4 the other day and I too feel the steering is heavy when going p slow, I haven't really driven it much yet as I'm ironing out some bugs the previous owner left. BUT the wheel almost feels like I have no power steering when going slow but it has 245s in the front and 265s in the rear which is a big jump from my 95 Corolla with 195s all around, maybe other c4s out there have lighter steering. My tip is to manhandle the wheel
Old 07-13-2016, 04:59 AM
  #35  
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When I bought my '87 ten years ago, the steering was too light for me, so I flushed out the old and grey ATF and filled it with Lucasoil stop leak 100%. No problems since, good feel and response.

I would check the tyre pressures and have the ATF changed. If its still heavy, especially when warm, I'd suspect the drive belt or even the pump. Could be the pump isn't doing its job well.

It shouldn't be heavy even by modern car standards. The '87 has 6deg +ve caster anyway which is a good thing and more like Euro type cars which tend to handle better.
Old 07-13-2016, 07:38 AM
  #36  
ddahlgren
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Sorry to hear of the arthritis as I am headed there early on in life at 64, runs in the family. If my hip flares right leg does not want to hold me up and other fun things like knarled fingers that sort of work. If my C4 had very light steering at speed it would be very scary as it gets lighter at speed easy enough.
Old 07-13-2016, 08:44 AM
  #37  
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1996 Base coupe. Heaviest steering car I can recall having driven. Reminds me of my 1964 Thunderbird - when the ps pump died.

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Old 07-13-2016, 11:48 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by ddahlgren
Sorry to hear of the arthritis as I am headed there early on in life at 64, runs in the family. If my hip flares right leg does not want to hold me up and other fun things like knarled fingers that sort of work. If my C4 had very light steering at speed it would be very scary as it gets lighter at speed easy enough.
Exactly. Not much fun driving a car and having to work at it. Besides, I'm reasonably sure she isn't taking it up to more than 10 over so I doubt it will be an issue. Past 100 and if you are twisting and turning, sure.
Old 07-13-2016, 08:25 PM
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I did not think the steering felt heavy on my car. I thought was supposed to have that feeling.
Old 07-13-2016, 11:24 PM
  #40  
Klondike
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I've "HEARD" that a Caprice station wagon PS pump can be substituted. It's supposed to fit and have the same bends in the hose fittings but it has a higher pressure valve spring in the pressure regulator so it puts out more pump pressure and makes for a LOT easier steering.
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