8th Generation Honda Civic Forum - View Single Post

honda11 · 04-26-2006, 06:04 PM

Vtecharry;

Wow, your post describes EXACTLY how my EX Coupe drives. Really glad to read this. I have been going nuts the last month I have had it.

Was totally convinced it was out of alignment the first two weeks I had it, pull to the right, not steering correctly and unable to track a straight line for any period of time. Highway - extremely unstable feel in minor winds like you are describing, difficult to keep in my lane to the point where I was afraid if I would sneeze I would end up in front of a truck!

Can't understand this stability issue as I thought Civic was heavier than my Acura Integra. I posted a lot of this when I first got the car on the Mechanical Issues section, Wheel Alignment thread.

To make a long story short, dealer says this is all related to the over boosted power steering in vehicle. It is not out of alignment in my case. Although service manger acted funny on that subject....admits the car drives "different" and feels all over the road, but I get the impression he won't tell me what he really thinks is causing it aside from steering. Says camber is not adjustable anyway. I even thought shocks too but they say that is not it.

Please post if you get any other answers. I did a search on power steering and yes it can cause these feelings. My service manager has been very helpful, even talked to Honda Engineering to see if there was any way to adjust to get more road feel. (There isn't)

The speed sensitive steering is extremely inconsistent and I have even wondered if it is engine speed sensitive vs road speed which would explain a lot when considering the RPM hold after letting off the gas. Three service people in the dealership told me they too were getting NO road feel/steering feedback below 30 mph which is where I often need it around the sharp turns I drive. Now granted this is just one dealers opinion, but they attributed most of this to the power steering. It's like in "parking lot" mode at lower speeds then tightens up to the point of being jittery at high speeds. Total frustration.

I did my own test as they said that steering is too boosted for that size engine/car. While in park, N and reverse with car sitting in driveway I noticed that just tiny movements of the steering; say from 12 o'clock to 11 would cause the engine speed to jump 500 rpms. Foot on brake and not touching gas, and did this when car was fully warm and idling at about 600. Jumped over to 1,000 rpms. My Integra's rpm's barely move doing the same thing. I realize this may be normal for the Civic, and they are putting way too much power steeing in all vehicles these days, but that seems excessive to me for it to be that sensitive.

04-26-2006, 06:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
honda11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 107	Same Steering & Stability issues with EX Coupe Vtecharry; Wow, your post describes EXACTLY how my EX Coupe drives. Really glad to read this. I have been going nuts the last month I have had it. Was totally convinced it was out of alignment the first two weeks I had it, pull to the right, not steering correctly and unable to track a straight line for any period of time. Highway - extremely unstable feel in minor winds like you are describing, difficult to keep in my lane to the point where I was afraid if I would sneeze I would end up in front of a truck! Can't understand this stability issue as I thought Civic was heavier than my Acura Integra. I posted a lot of this when I first got the car on the Mechanical Issues section, Wheel Alignment thread. To make a long story short, dealer says this is all related to the over boosted power steering in vehicle. It is not out of alignment in my case. Although service manger acted funny on that subject....admits the car drives "different" and feels all over the road, but I get the impression he won't tell me what he really thinks is causing it aside from steering. Says camber is not adjustable anyway. I even thought shocks too but they say that is not it. Please post if you get any other answers. I did a search on power steering and yes it can cause these feelings. My service manager has been very helpful, even talked to Honda Engineering to see if there was any way to adjust to get more road feel. (There isn't) The speed sensitive steering is extremely inconsistent and I have even wondered if it is engine speed sensitive vs road speed which would explain a lot when considering the RPM hold after letting off the gas. Three service people in the dealership told me they too were getting NO road feel/steering feedback below 30 mph which is where I often need it around the sharp turns I drive. Now granted this is just one dealers opinion, but they attributed most of this to the power steering. It's like in "parking lot" mode at lower speeds then tightens up to the point of being jittery at high speeds. Total frustration. I did my own test as they said that steering is too boosted for that size engine/car. While in park, N and reverse with car sitting in driveway I noticed that just tiny movements of the steering; say from 12 o'clock to 11 would cause the engine speed to jump 500 rpms. Foot on brake and not touching gas, and did this when car was fully warm and idling at about 600. Jumped over to 1,000 rpms. My Integra's rpm's barely move doing the same thing. I realize this may be normal for the Civic, and they are putting way too much power steeing in all vehicles these days, but that seems excessive to me for it to be that sensitive.