badteddy

so thanks to the forums i have replaced the o-ring and stopped the whining noise from the steering. I have a 2006 base model. I have driven my friend's 2008 Type S and his steering is much more stiff. I thought to myself, it must be stiffer because it is a Type S. Although, I have driven my other friend's 2005 model and it feels stiff as well. My steering feels squishy compared to theirs. Is it me? or is there a way to adjust the steering or is the steering in my car just needing replacement?

whudini3000

iTrader: (1)

Ha, I was just discussing this with my girlfriend. Her steering is really stiff, sometimes you have to put a little power into it to turn out of places. Her PS was just replaced by acura 6 mo ago, and I told her that her steering is too tight. Well she tells me my steering is way too loose. I can turn my car steering wheel with one finger, its as smooth as butter.. Interesting... as I also would like to also know the answer to this.. Maybe its a Personality ordeal

Will Y.

1) Check your tire pressures-- they make a difference. Make sure the cold tire pressures are at least at the recommended psi.
Better yet, pump your tires up to 36F/33R and see if that helps.
If the tire pressure is lower, you will get a mushier, or squishier, steering response, but maybe a slightly softer ride.
I personally use a higher psi (37F/34R), which gives better steering feel.

2) What type tires are on your TL?
"Touring" tires will feel less responsive than Ultra-High Performance all-season tires, which should feel less responsive than UHP summer tires, etc.
If you're running on H-rated touring tires... (well, they'll feel mushier, anyway ).

3) How is the wheel alignment on the car?

nfnsquared

There is a definite difference with the TL-S steering rack. You can put a TL-S steering rack on a TL and enjoy the TL-S feel. It's totally plug and play. Do a search, there is a thread on this mod.

Chad05TL

a higher speed rating on the tires can make it feel lighter or easier to turn. As in "less resistance in the steering wheel". I know because it happened to me on my last tire change

badteddy

hey guys. thanks for all of your input. i have low rated tires. because thats all i can afford right now.

but whudini might have the same tires on both cars?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

This.
badteddy, the steering rack on the base and type-s are different.

whudini3000

iTrader: (1)

I have kuhmo all-seasons and my gf has Yokohama allseasons

nastinupe

It's not the tires. It's the power steering hose. Have it replaced. It probably has a leak. $78 plus installation. Easy fix.

Chad05TL

what does squishy mean anyway? Is that a light or a heavy steering wheel?

I hate cars

^^ That's what I'm wondering too. Are we talking about the handling or are we talking about only the steering wheel feel? Is this noticable in a parking lot at 5mph or only at higher speeds?

stangs5088

I just picked up an 07 Tl-S lastnight... I felt the steering was pretty hard. Is hard steering normal on a Tl-s? or is it soft? Alignment is off but tire pressure is ok...

I would perfer a softer steering... any input

Chad05TL

my car was stiffer before I upgraded my tires to a higher performance tire. (check your tire pressure too)

But you also may try to replace the fluid in the power steering unit. My 05 sometimes has a pulsating feel in some turns, but it has not been as bad as it was since I
siphoned out some of the old fluid and replaced it with Lucas. What I need to do is completely remove all of the old to do it right.
http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=9&loc=show

I hate cars

The TL-S has a quicker rack so it's going to be a little stiffer than the base. From what I've heard on here from the people that do the swap, the difference in effort is minimal from the rack itself. The Type-S uses a different pressure regulator valve in the pump. You may be able to swap out the valve or spring for a base valve and/or spring. Should be very cheap and pretty easy to do but as far as I know, no one has done it yet.
Chad, you know I'm always an advocate of going with better aftermarket fluids even when they're not approved for use in these cars but powersteering fluid is the one fluid that you do not want to go aftermarket with except for Amsoil. The Honda stuff is quite a bit thicker and has more zinc than any other PSF. Other fluids will result in more wear and leaks. Amsoil is the exception. Their universal fluid is way on the thick side and it has the proper additives. I'm talking long term here, nothing is going to happen right away.

I bet you noticed a pretty good change for the better with the Lucas but I would not add any more. With a higher concentration, you may run into problems with higher mileage.

Chad05TL

Well, this stuff is pretty thick too. Its a lot thicker than the usual STP brand PSF. But I thought it was funny that if you look at the bottle on that link, it says "even honda" at the top.. Kinda funny. But I'll try amsoil if I can find it. anyway.. time to go for my run. peace!

I hate cars

I'll go and research it. Who knows, maybe it is as thick as the Honda stuff.

Chad05TL

cold temps can also effect the stiffness. But usually when its due to coldness, then it sort of goes away when it warms up.

I hate cars

That was one thing that was nice when I was running the Amsoil synthetic. Less difference between cold and hot. I've got to order some more.

badteddy

so i finally saved up enough money to fix my steering. one day as i was getting my oil changed, i asked my mechanic what was up.

basically he told me that my steering and pinion is busted and that he would have to order the part. so i got my car fixed and alignment done. so i asked him why is my steering different from my two other friends' cars? he told me that they have factory parts which are much more expensive and that the part he got for me is a rebuilt part. now im not complaining because he fixed the problem with it. and a factory part would cost me a $100-$200 more. so it is a bit more of a grip feel than it was but still not as tight as the factory steering.

so now i know why. rebuilt part.

Chad05TL

i noticed recently that my steering was getting really stiff and my alignment is very good. So, I sort of a "1x1" fluid swap in the reservoir, and it made a noticeable difference. I probably need to do a complete flush, however that is done. I have not looked it up. By the way, Walmart sells some power steering fluid that is for honda/acura. cost like $3 a pint/bottle.


(83k miles)

no I cannot believe I still have this car. haha

kevin963

I have a base model 2005 Acura TL with an extremely stiff steering in parking lots. Sometimes during 3 point turns, I can putting my whole body into trying to steering the wheel and it barely moves. I have to feather the clutch and gas to get it moving a little for the power steering to lighten up enough to turn.

Any suggestions?

Chad05TL

Sure. Syphon out the fluid from the reservoir with a squirt bottle and replace the fluid with new. If it helps just a little bit then repeat the process after a few weeks of driving it. Or do a complete flush. If it does not help at all then likely the power steering pump is not working too well. But I don't hear much about failed power steering pumps on this channel over the years. But I do know acura had a recall on bad hoses for the pump. Like leaking. But they might have fix it by 07. I don't know. Have to research it. Anyway, do the reservoir fluid swap first. It's easy. Try to Syphon out the fluid with the engine hot and after you had been driving. But do it with the engine off. Duh. Reason for hot, because the fluid level will be higher. And when u suck it out, you will get more. Anyway, if it helps a little, then do it again or read out to flush the system.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

you mean to tell me that's not normal????

my 2006 6MT has ALWAYS operated like this since I bought in 2010 at 30k miles.
I ALWAYS have to feather the gas, because power steering is linked to accessory pulley.

thoiboi

I've disabled my PS for HP sake.. So it's par for the course for me

Chad05TL

Uh.. it's not your accessories. The power steering pump spins just as fast your motor spins.. Unless you changed the oem pulleys.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

my car always operated that way.
ive swapped engines(due to a friend messing up the engine by over-revving) and it still operates the same way.
new pump and new fluid.

Chad05TL

So.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

?

Chad05TL

Yah I remember the picture of your neck or chin or something.. anyway.. TL's don't have a hard steering wheel from the factory. And if yours is stiff, and you have an oem setup, then you have to ask why...

Jackass

It is not normal. My '05 is easy peasy to turn the wheels when parked without increasing the engine RPMs. But since it hasn't bothered you in all these years....it is your new normal and something you obviously accepted.

thoiboi

Y'all need to hit the gym more

kevin963

Any recommended PSF or should I just go to Acura for OEM? Is there any possibility of damaging my PS in this process? I heard flushing in the Acura for certain fluids isn't reccommended.

Chad05TL

I already said Walmart sells some compatible..
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Prestone-...Fluid/20850664

kevin963

Unfortunately, Canadian Walmart sucks and they don't have that in stock.

I did a search on Amazon Canada and found OEM honda power steering fluid. It's just personal preference and I've heard other brands cause quicker wear/tear in the power steering.

I've also heard that replacing the O ring helps. Do people usually change the o-ring when they change the power steering fluid? (Sort of like replacing the washers/bolt for a tranny fluid change.)

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Genuine-Honda-...steering+fluid

Chad05TL

Can't go wrong with oem fluid. But this is the only fluid I have used other than oem. I have used both. I have not used anything else and don't plan on it. Unless you are leaking something, I wouldn't replace an oring . But to just test the response of new fluid, you just need to swap the reservoir fluid. No oring to replace. If the steering wheel is easier to turn, then do a larger fluid swap. Like a flush or repeat the process several times. But if you do a reservoir fluid swap and not a complete flush, then I would wait a few weeks in between swaps. Because the circulation in that reservoir might only our with temperature change. Ie. Engine gets hot, then engine cools. Fluid gets sucked in, then gets pushed out. Like radiator fluid level. Don't ask me how the brake fluid gets dark in the reserviour..because it too gets dark from use, but the circulation is peculiar to say the least. But it does occur because the fluid gets dark when it gets dirty or old. But that's another topic.

kevin963

Thanks for the info! I'm going to try siphoning out 12oz and putting in 12oz of fresh oem power steering fluid. My fluids aren't low so there aren't any leaks so I will not touch the o-ring.

Chad05TL

correction.. The power steering fluid is actually circulated through the reservoir. Which is unlike the radiator reservoir. So, you won't have to wait no 2 weeks to change the reservoir fluid a 2nd time if you want to try to cycle through the old and replacing with new(without draining the system). The radiator reservoir pushes out water and draws it back in as the engine warms and cools. I was thinking the power steering fluid is the same way, but its not. It has 2 hoses on it. A "goesinta" and a "goesouta". haha

Chad05TL

also, you have to keep the fluid level Above the top hose.. Otherwise it will suck air. probably make noise too.. The operating line level is above the top hose.. So kinda makes sense..

kevin963

Hey! Yeah I read up on it and watched a couple videos. Makes sense.

Update: I siphoned out 350ml (1 bottle of power steering from acura) and used Acura's power steering fluid. It was about 11$ CAD at the dealership. (Labelled as Acura PSF, not honda.) I used a plastic tube with a pump at the end and used gravity to pull the liquid out

I found a bit of residue inside the power steering. (Refer to picture) After replacing 350ml, I found it to be much easier to steer, and then it stiffened up again after a couple days. Turns out it was my tires running low on air. I don't think I accurately pumped my tires up because the tire pressure readers at the gas pump was a bit hard to read.

Overall, it lightened up the stiffness of my tires. Siphoning 350ml was perfect because that was pretty much the same amount the canister had. The rest of the liquid was in the tubes which I didn't want to remove. I'm planning to siphon another 350ml if it acts up again.Thanks for the tip Chad!

Chad05TL

your welcome. But hey, I just read the HELM book. A complete flush is a lot easier than I thought. And it will save you money and get more fluid swapped out. I was wondering if there was a drain hole down low on the rack, so I looked at the book, and a fluid flush is done at the top. amazing. Read this.. But obviously you dont want to run the engine for a long time when the fluid is drained out.