96 Heavy Steering
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
96 Heavy Steering
We have an 03 Z06 and a 96 Corvette. The 96's steering really seems much heavier/harder to drive than the 03. Even the braking seems harder to do. We have had the 96 since 1998 and it has always been like this. Any else notice this?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 755
Likes: 32
From: Roswell Georgia
Although much of your post was "perception", I've found that the C4's have effortless steering unless the PS pump is failing. Likewise, the post '87 model year braking system is effortless also unless there is air in the system or the piston seals in the master cylinder are failing and allowing fluid to slip by. The C5 brakes are better, but require no more pedal effort than the C4's in my experience. YMMV.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: Westminster MD
I just put my '96 LT4 back on the road after being down for 2 years due to a motor rebuilt - sort of like climbing into a new car again. The first thing I really noticed is that the steering is really heavy when sitting still, but at highway speeds feels pretty light -- almost oddly light in my case.
Alignment may be playing a big part here. Caster, especially. Have you had them checked? More caster should mean *higher* effort (if I'm not mistaken). But, it would be surprising though so find one with excessive camber, since by the time you dial in camber, you're not left with much caster.
Might be time to flush the power steering out and make sure it's all healthy.
Brakes- if they're not squishy (air in system) or excessively "hard" (lack of boost) it might just be "different". Different pads will change the feel as well - especially if they're not up to optimal temperatures (e.g. you have an aggressive "track" pad on that's not up to temp when just tooling around town).
Alignment may be playing a big part here. Caster, especially. Have you had them checked? More caster should mean *higher* effort (if I'm not mistaken). But, it would be surprising though so find one with excessive camber, since by the time you dial in camber, you're not left with much caster.
Might be time to flush the power steering out and make sure it's all healthy.
Brakes- if they're not squishy (air in system) or excessively "hard" (lack of boost) it might just be "different". Different pads will change the feel as well - especially if they're not up to optimal temperatures (e.g. you have an aggressive "track" pad on that's not up to temp when just tooling around town).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
My '96 LT4 had intermitted heavy steering...like no power steering at times. Turned out the steering rack was leaking internally. Replaced the rack and the pump....WOW what a difference.
Also check your tire inflation.
Also check your tire inflation.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
Might just be perception as mentioned above.
My opinion is the C5's brakes and steering are much more sensitive, and require less effort to turn, or brake.......but that is my perception others may vary.
You could try to find another C4 (close to 1996 as possible) and test drive it for a comparison.
Changing the power steering rack and / or pump is a real P.I.T.A.
You can flush it fairly easily with two people, diss-connect the return line and run it to a collection container, have at least a quart or 2 ready to pour into the resivor, and have a helper start the car and slightly turn the steering wheel as you pour rapidly to keep fluid in the resivor. If you get behind in filling, holler to shut the car off and start the procedure again.
My opinion is the C5's brakes and steering are much more sensitive, and require less effort to turn, or brake.......but that is my perception others may vary.
You could try to find another C4 (close to 1996 as possible) and test drive it for a comparison.
Changing the power steering rack and / or pump is a real P.I.T.A.
You can flush it fairly easily with two people, diss-connect the return line and run it to a collection container, have at least a quart or 2 ready to pour into the resivor, and have a helper start the car and slightly turn the steering wheel as you pour rapidly to keep fluid in the resivor. If you get behind in filling, holler to shut the car off and start the procedure again.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
My tire inflation is 35psi. For city driving the steering feels heavier than my other cars. No fluids appear to be leaking anywhere. And while the brakes work great, they also seem a bit heavy. I have changed the brake fluid and bled them, but no change in feel. Our 03 Corvette feels much lighter in steering and braking during the same type of driving.
It could be that I am just used to less effort from our other vehicles. I'm going to have find another C4 to drive and see if there really is a difference.
It could be that I am just used to less effort from our other vehicles. I'm going to have find another C4 to drive and see if there really is a difference.
Last edited by Shylor; Jun 24, 2009 at 02:02 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Palm Coast Florida
I currently own my second '93 Z07. The first one had really light and quick steering, it always was this way. It had about 75000 miles on it when I sold it. My current Z07 has the typical heavy steering I felt on all other C4's I drove with only 40,000 miles. There must be something to it. I'd like to find out how to lighten it up like the other one was.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Lots of them are like that, brakes too. The quicker ratio steering option helps t out some but theres still some effort to it. Do the C5s use hydroboost steering on them?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
Gm made a mistake in the internal design of their 80's steering racks, used on everything from citations to vettes...steering becomes 'heavy' as the rack eats itself up inside...in severe cases this very noticeable at cold driveaway, becoming more 'tolerable' as steering warms....there are 'rebuild' kits that many shops can install in your rack (rack should be honed to restore smooth bore), or get a 'rebuilt' rack (with updated internals used by nearly all rebuilders)
this is one case where N.O.S. is a B.F.M. (Big Mistake)
this is one case where N.O.S. is a B.F.M. (Big Mistake)
Last edited by redrose; Mar 19, 2010 at 10:06 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
If you are sitting still the c4 is not a 1 finger ordeal, but when you are driving it should be pretty sensitive. Depending on your car set up, some people have wide tires all the way around too.
A performance steering does help a little. Two completely different cars though, like comparing C3 to C4, it just is no match.
A performance steering does help a little. Two completely different cars though, like comparing C3 to C4, it just is no match.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I had aZ51 steering rack on my 86. I hated it in traffic, loved it on the freeway. it added more effort, and I could tell it lugged the engine from the pump resistance.
I swapped in a standard rack when it went bad, and it suits my driving commute better.
In addition, I increased the size of the sway bar up front, which aided the car in turns.
On the brakes, I couldn't get enough braking, and I switched to C5 front brakes. The brakes are 50% more effective, BUT,
The brakes feel the same, so I would guess that it's your booster/master cylinder where the feel comes from.
I am planning in the near future to upgrade to a C5 master/booster for the double diaphragm booster that gives "toe touch" braking.
I swapped in a standard rack when it went bad, and it suits my driving commute better.
In addition, I increased the size of the sway bar up front, which aided the car in turns.
On the brakes, I couldn't get enough braking, and I switched to C5 front brakes. The brakes are 50% more effective, BUT,
The brakes feel the same, so I would guess that it's your booster/master cylinder where the feel comes from.
I am planning in the near future to upgrade to a C5 master/booster for the double diaphragm booster that gives "toe touch" braking.
