Steering feel - too light!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Steering feel - too light!
I have only driven my 03 Z06 and one other C5 before so I can’t really compare to others but is light steering just a typical characteristic of a C5?? Basically I am not happy with the way my car feels and I am trying to figure out if there is something causing my steering to feel too light and spongy. I prefer a heavier planted feel but my car does not have that feel. I get nervous when driving aggressively because I don’t feel like I have a lot of control over the car. What all in the steering components could be bad/worn out that could cause a spongy or light feeling? A little info, I have Bilstein Sport shocks with low miles on them, lowered on stock bolts, new Moog sway bar end links all the way around, New Moog outer tie rod ends up front and new oem outer tie rod ends in back. poly sway bar bushings...Also a 4 wheel alignment to factory specs. There is no play in my steering wheel at all but it just feels kinda spongy and not tight going side to side. Best way I can explain it is the “wandering” or pulling feeling you get when you’re driving on a rutted or uneven road feels like it’s happening all the time, even on good roads... just not quiet as severe. Is there anything in the steering rack that needs to be checked for this? All steering components I’ve checked are tight and there aren’t any abnormal noises. Wheels are stock with factory size Toyo tires that have about 1200 miles on them. As far as the alignment, I’ve had two from two different shops with no changes. What do you guys think?
Last edited by bwill03z; Jan 9, 2019 at 08:23 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
How old are the tires?
Generally C5s have relatively heavy steering, but it almost feels like you're not complaining about steering weight as much as you are complaining about either tramlining or bump-steer.
Generally C5s have relatively heavy steering, but it almost feels like you're not complaining about steering weight as much as you are complaining about either tramlining or bump-steer.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
The tires are less than a year old. I wish the steering felt heavier than it does because it makes you feel more connected to the road in my opinion. But yes Tramling is basically what it feels like even when it’s not a rutted or uneven road. I find myself counter steering often, not heavily just lightly, when I shouldn’t have to. I know they are totally different cars to compare but when I drive my wife’s turbo sonata it has a heavier steering feel and I can drive with one finger on the wheel and not have to worry about the car pulling to the left or right but that’s not the case with the vette. Idk steering is subjective and it’s hard to explain in writing but it just doesn’t feel the way I think it should. Ppl seem to think it’s an alignment issue but if it is within factory specs I don’t see how that could be the case. Maybe those tires just suck?! Idk.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 8
From: Ridgefield WA
I have a PDF doc from GM titled 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Kit. Page 24 indicates that there is steering force adjust-ability via a scan tool. Please post anyone has done this. Thanks
"The scan tool can be used to adjust the amount of steering assist if the customer requests. The steering assist has 3 settings...
Factory calibration
More firm
Less firm"
"The scan tool can be used to adjust the amount of steering assist if the customer requests. The steering assist has 3 settings...
Factory calibration
More firm
Less firm"
Last edited by Gary98642; Jan 11, 2019 at 10:07 AM. Reason: Accidentally posted gibberish when attempting to copy and paste.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 316
From: USA
Steering feel isn't one of the best things about the C5... IDK if it's something with the steering rack, leaf spring suspension, or what. It may just partly be due to age.... if you got solid or poly control arm bushings etc it would probably tighten it all up a lot, at the expense of comfort of course.
Little stuff I've done to help improve the feel (subjective of course)-> smaller steering wheel, under drive crank pulley could in theory under drive the PS pump a little, and recently I installed a delrin steering rack bushing while I had it out. Haven't got to test that out yet though...I'm not expecting a world of a difference, but I'm hoping it will have at least a small effect.
that probably doesnt' really help you... I don't find the C5 steering to be bad, but certainly not a exact or precise as newer cars.
Little stuff I've done to help improve the feel (subjective of course)-> smaller steering wheel, under drive crank pulley could in theory under drive the PS pump a little, and recently I installed a delrin steering rack bushing while I had it out. Haven't got to test that out yet though...I'm not expecting a world of a difference, but I'm hoping it will have at least a small effect.
that probably doesnt' really help you... I don't find the C5 steering to be bad, but certainly not a exact or precise as newer cars.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 134
From: Hanover Maryland
I've read a couple places that you can't actually adjust Magnasteer.
You can disconnect Magnasteer though, steering will get heavier. Still assisted, just heavier. It's a simple plug near the front driver side swaybar.
You can disconnect Magnasteer though, steering will get heavier. Still assisted, just heavier. It's a simple plug near the front driver side swaybar.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Steering feel isn't one of the best things about the C5... IDK if it's something with the steering rack, leaf spring suspension, or what. It may just partly be due to age.... if you got solid or poly control arm bushings etc it would probably tighten it all up a lot, at the expense of comfort of course.
Little stuff I've done to help improve the feel (subjective of course)-> smaller steering wheel, under drive crank pulley could in theory under drive the PS pump a little, and recently I installed a delrin steering rack bushing while I had it out. Haven't got to test that out yet though...I'm not expecting a world of a difference, but I'm hoping it will have at least a small effect.
that probably doesnt' really help you... I don't find the C5 steering to be bad, but certainly not a exact or precise as newer cars.
Little stuff I've done to help improve the feel (subjective of course)-> smaller steering wheel, under drive crank pulley could in theory under drive the PS pump a little, and recently I installed a delrin steering rack bushing while I had it out. Haven't got to test that out yet though...I'm not expecting a world of a difference, but I'm hoping it will have at least a small effect.
that probably doesnt' really help you... I don't find the C5 steering to be bad, but certainly not a exact or precise as newer cars.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
As far as sports cars, I had an 01 ws6 trans am and 02 ws6 trans am. Not really comparing it to any other vehicles just a general feeling I get whenever I drive it. I guess it just doesn’t drive the way I think the car should. I’m going to try and find a few other c5’s locally and drive them to get an idea.
