PDA

View Full Version : Steering effort/feel

StrangeRanger
12-08-2011, 01:02 PM
I am seriously considering buying a 2012 Yaris 3 door L.
The very few things that I don't like about it are easily fixed except..
the power assisted steering has way too much assist and way too little feel for my taste. Is there any way of reducing the assist and hopefully increasing the feel?
WeeYari
12-08-2011, 01:08 PM
Buy a SE or pull the fuse and go totally manual. Been talked about quite a bit, but nobody has successfully implemented variable assist.
StrangeRanger
12-08-2011, 01:35 PM
The SE doesn't come as a 3-door and it comes with too much in the way of "features" that I dislike. The chief appeals of the L are the lack of rear doors and its stripped down content.

Totally manual doesn't bother me in the slightest. I really don't see why a 2200# car even needs power assist. I have driven many in that weight range that were not assisted and had no issues.

If you pull the fuse, are you still fighting against the electrical assist, increasing the effort sort of like a hydraulic assist with a bypassed pulley? Or does the electrical system just go into neutral?

Is the assist from an SE retro-fittable to an L? That might be the easiest although certainly not the least expensive fix. The boneyards aren't exactly full of Yaris SEs
Captain Slow
12-08-2011, 04:47 PM
i guess because I'm used to twitchy front ends on my RWD drive cars I rather like the the strong assist on the power steering in the Yaris. makes it feel like I can chuck it into a corner.

of course it's all personal preference though, many people in the Miata world disliked power steering, they said it was twitchy, I liked it twitchy.
cali yaris
12-08-2011, 06:03 PM
the power assisted steering has way too much assist and way too little feel for my taste. Is there any way of reducing the assist and hopefully increasing the feel?

There is almost zero assist over 50 mph. The steering ECU reduces control as the car increases in speed. Remember, this is an electric motor assist, no hydraulics on the Yaris.

With that said, mine's deleted. I like it better without. :biggrin:
Viperoni
12-08-2011, 10:04 PM
bigger rims and shorter profile tires.
cali yaris
12-09-2011, 01:19 AM
^ for a harsher, slower ride. :wink:
Captain Slow
12-09-2011, 02:14 AM
^ for a harsher, slower ride. :wink:

a valid point, if you can't stand driving it then it doesn't matter how the steering feels ;)
CanIHazYarisHatch?
12-09-2011, 03:53 AM
I am seriously considering buying a 2012 Yaris 3 door L.
The very few things that I don't like about it are easily fixed except..
the power assisted steering has way too much assist and way too little feel for my taste. Is there any way of reducing the assist and hopefully increasing the feel?

I'm right there with you.

My one, and only complaint, about the 2012's.
eTiMaGo
12-09-2011, 06:56 AM
http://www.autospeed.com.au/A_111532/cms/article.html

A little technical, but this guide lets you use a potentiometer knob to fine tune the overall level of assistance :)

The problem with simply removing the fuse is that your arms will get the additional resistance from the inoperative gearing and motor...
Captain Slow
12-09-2011, 12:19 PM
:clap:

awesome link!

that will be a "must do" item on my list eventually. I love uber-nerdy mods like that. thanks.
StrangeRanger
12-09-2011, 12:29 PM
That link looks like it may prove to be the solution.
It certainly will provide an improvement and the cost is near zero.
Many, many thanks. This makes the purchase decision much easier
Viperoni
12-10-2011, 01:43 AM
^ for a harsher, slower ride. :wink:

I shoulda clarified 205/50/15's or similar ;)
Scubaru Steve
12-10-2011, 11:17 PM
you can always swap in the se steering rack! that's gives you the quicker ratios and better feel, and you could probably keep the same power assist as the base.

The SE doesn't come as a 3-door and it comes with too much in the way of "features" that I dislike. The chief appeals of the L are the lack of rear doors and its stripped down content.

Totally manual doesn't bother me in the slightest. I really don't see why a 2200# car even needs power assist. I have driven many in that weight range that were not assisted and had no issues.

If you pull the fuse, are you still fighting against the electrical assist, increasing the effort sort of like a hydraulic assist with a bypassed pulley? Or does the electrical system just go into neutral?

Is the assist from an SE retro-fittable to an L? That might be the easiest although certainly not the least expensive fix. The boneyards aren't exactly full of Yaris SEs