C4 Steering
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 292
Likes: 205
From: Kent WA
C4 Steering
I test drove a 1989 C4 today that I was thinking of buying. I was surprised by how heavy the steering is. I last drove a C4 back in 1989 and I didn't recall that aspect of the car. It's actually an issue for me as I have tendon problems in my arms and steering that heavy would probably make my arms worse. Has anyone ever heard of "fixes" to make the steering effort lighter (aside from skinnier front tires)?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,276
Likes: 6,469
From: Melbourne, FL
The heavier steering is due to having hydraulic power steering vs electric in most cars now. That's what gives it such great feedback.
Turn one makes higher output ps pumps, one of those would likely do the trick. Or at least help. The other option is a c5 or c6, which have crazy light steering.
Turn one makes higher output ps pumps, one of those would likely do the trick. Or at least help. The other option is a c5 or c6, which have crazy light steering.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
And that Camry has way skinnier tires than the Corvette!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
I could turn the wheel on my '73 Dodge Monaco back in the day with one finger and no electric assist. As it turns out, I don't want a Corvette that drives like a station wagon from the 70's.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 259
Likes: 38
From: Volcano CA
Yep, My '96 has heavier steering than my 65 Mustang with no power steering. I understand wanting 'feedback" in a performance car, but you shouldn't need to be Popeye in a parking lot.
My three biggest gripes of my C4.
1- heavy steering
2- super-stiff gas pedal
3- that damn door sill.
Other than that, it's totally cool to cruise.
My three biggest gripes of my C4.
1- heavy steering
2- super-stiff gas pedal
3- that damn door sill.
Other than that, it's totally cool to cruise.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 292
Likes: 205
From: Kent WA
I wonder if this could be adjusted by simply changing the power steering pump with a smaller pulley? Kind of like adjusting a super charger via the pulley. Perhaps other parts of the pump would prevent that from working or maybe that would stress the system beyond what it's designed for. Again, my interest in this is not due to a preference in terms of steering feel, but rather as a way to allow me to drive a C4 without screwing up my fragile tendons. It would be a risky thing to try (buy a C4 first and then try to adjust). Who knows what kind of change would be appropriate and how that change would impact performance at both low and high speeds.
Last edited by koranke; Jan 30, 2019 at 04:34 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 316
Likes: 63
From: Peoria IL
The heavier steering is due to having hydraulic power steering vs electric in most cars now. That's what gives it such great feedback.
Turn one makes higher output ps pumps, one of those would likely do the trick. Or at least help. The other option is a c5 or c6, which have crazy light steering.
Turn one makes higher output ps pumps, one of those would likely do the trick. Or at least help. The other option is a c5 or c6, which have crazy light steering.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 289
From: MA
You can try replacing the power steering fluid with Lucas brand power steering fluid. Although I like the stock firm feel, the Lucas stuff really made the steering noticeably looser.
In fact I am contemplating switching it out back to the stock fluid to get that firmness back but I was told the Lucas power steering fluid helps the steering rack live a bit longer.
In fact I am contemplating switching it out back to the stock fluid to get that firmness back but I was told the Lucas power steering fluid helps the steering rack live a bit longer.
Last edited by grandspt; Jan 30, 2019 at 07:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
A Z51 rack has a faster ratio = heavier steering.
Most alignment shops set the caster to the max positive = heavy steering but it will go straight @ 150 mph.
Setting the caster to minimum will lighten up the steering.
My Z51 has 7* caster, when parking I let it roll while clocking the steering wheel just like Grandpa did
on manual steering cars. Takes 2 hands to turn the steering wheel if stopped + my foot on the brakes.
Most alignment shops set the caster to the max positive = heavy steering but it will go straight @ 150 mph.
Setting the caster to minimum will lighten up the steering.
My Z51 has 7* caster, when parking I let it roll while clocking the steering wheel just like Grandpa did
on manual steering cars. Takes 2 hands to turn the steering wheel if stopped + my foot on the brakes.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 532
Likes: 104
It is heavy because it is a sports car and it is before modern speed sensitive steering.
Modern cars have speed sensitive steering (I am talking about hydraulic steering), at low speeds the boost is higher at high speed the boost is lower for better feel. Some modern cars incorporate steering angle into this as well with boost increasing with higher steering angles. The C4 was before that technology was widespread. I think Honda first introduced it around 1983.
As a result you could either have light steering like Grandpas Buick, or heavier steering with more "road feel" there had to be a compromise. Also in the case of corvette the rack and pinion doesn't help either. In that era most cars were still using recirculating ball steering which has more mechanical advantage built in.
Modern cars have speed sensitive steering (I am talking about hydraulic steering), at low speeds the boost is higher at high speed the boost is lower for better feel. Some modern cars incorporate steering angle into this as well with boost increasing with higher steering angles. The C4 was before that technology was widespread. I think Honda first introduced it around 1983.
As a result you could either have light steering like Grandpas Buick, or heavier steering with more "road feel" there had to be a compromise. Also in the case of corvette the rack and pinion doesn't help either. In that era most cars were still using recirculating ball steering which has more mechanical advantage built in.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
It's easy to tune the steering feel! Reduce the front wheel caster angle, and you'll have easier steering. The late model C4's have higher caster angle specifications, and therefore stiffer steering. I realize the late model C4's have other front end differences, but changing the caster angle will change the feel of the car. I increased the caster angle on my '84 in order to change the feel of the steering.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Id call Chris Jones @Jones racing products. Perhaps he has a solution, could be a valving/pressure thing.
They are heavier than you'd expect for sure but once at speed are fine. Kinda like an old manual steering box just more precise.
The 90 had a little slower rack if I remember little easier but not like the older over assited power assist from many yrs ago.
They are heavier than you'd expect for sure but once at speed are fine. Kinda like an old manual steering box just more precise.
The 90 had a little slower rack if I remember little easier but not like the older over assited power assist from many yrs ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
I generally agree with the foregoing comments.
However, my own personal opinion on these cars, and certainly on my 96, was that the factory built in too much of the "grandma factor" to increase its potential customer base, and that certainly goes to the recommended tire inflation pressure, after all, grandma wants a nice soft "comfortable" ride. As an experiment, inflate your tires to the recommended max pressure on the tire sidewall. I bet the steering lightens up. Maybe, maybe not. Good luck, enjoy your C4
p.s. time does march on and your memory of driving a C4 thirty years ago might not jibe with the reality of driving a C4 today. I speculate that my C1 from fifty years ago may not have been quite as fast as I remember
However, my own personal opinion on these cars, and certainly on my 96, was that the factory built in too much of the "grandma factor" to increase its potential customer base, and that certainly goes to the recommended tire inflation pressure, after all, grandma wants a nice soft "comfortable" ride. As an experiment, inflate your tires to the recommended max pressure on the tire sidewall. I bet the steering lightens up. Maybe, maybe not. Good luck, enjoy your C4
p.s. time does march on and your memory of driving a C4 thirty years ago might not jibe with the reality of driving a C4 today. I speculate that my C1 from fifty years ago may not have been quite as fast as I remember
Last edited by mtwoolford; Jul 28, 2019 at 10:41 PM.