Hi.
New happy owner of 2007 Honda Legend, but...
Steering feels sticky when driving straight, feels almost like flat tires on front.
Or maybe Michelin winter tires are just not right ones for this car.
130k km`s driven, maybe some loose ball joint or something.
Any ideas?

 

I'm not sure I understand the symptoms you are explaining. Usually sticky tire are a good thing. Are you saying it takes more to turn the tires than you expect? Check the power steering fluid level. Only use Honda PSF.

 

Im trying to be more specific, it is little bit hard to drive really really straight line, small steeringwheel movement makes it to want turn more than i want. Maybe i can say that it is at the same time little bit restles. And yes, those small corrections that i have to do, feels like it needs too much power to make.

 

Agreed ^^^^^^

A life time ago I helped fledgling race drivers learn about how their cars drove. After a lap or two they would talk about something 'wrong' with the handling of the car.

Most times it was simply perception so I'd ask 1) What were you doing, 2) What did the car do and 3) and more importantly What did you expected it to do? More often than not, what they expected and what happened were two different things.

What is your driving back ground? What were you driving before?

The Legend does not handle like a Subaru or an Audi even with all wheel drive and is so dissimilar to a rear wheel drive or strictly front wheel drive that it takes some getting used to. For example, if you are used to front wheel drive and the torque steer (pull to one side) that happens in a straight line acceleration don't expect the same reactions in a Legend.

oo7spy could be exactly correct with the low power steering fluid or it could be something else mechanical or it could just be perception.

More information of what you were doing, what happened and what you expected to happen will help the multitudes of owners help you.

Enjoy

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Sorry, I was writing a response and when I posted I see the next post

 

Thanks for the information.

First, have you checked the tire pressure?

Second, was the car involved in something where the front end may have needed an alignment?

What are the speeds you are traveling and do all the same symptoms appear at the same speeds or are they different depending upon where you are on the highway or lower city street speeds?

The straight line problem sounds much like uneven tire pressure. Are the sensors working correctly? Or an alignment problem (more likely the case)

The small steering movement causing bigger changes and needing more 'power' than you think should take sounds like bearings or steering hardware problems

The 'restless' steering also sounds like bearings.

Any body else with some great insight, please jump in!

 

My driving history:
- Chrysler Voyager AWD 3.8 (This is our family taxi)
With summer tires 235/55/17 run flat GoodYears (too hard sidewalls) feels allmost like Legend now, trying to change direction all the time, wheel aligment ok,
-Audi TT (traded to Legend)
- Honda Legend Coupe 1993
-Lexus LS400
-Porche 911 and 928
-Honda Accord Wagon 1993
- Many many others

 

I dont think that there has been something that has caused wheel alignment changes.
Pressures are ok.
No strange sounds, like worn bearing.
Same thing no matter which direction i am turning.
Same at all speeds.
Sensors working ok.

I will check those alignments and fluid level.

 

My advice is to go to the dealer and drive another one... if its drives the same the problem is between the seat and the steering wheel.

After reading the title I thought this thread was going to be about a fun ride home from your Valentines dinner.

 

Now that's funny

 

Did the four wheel alignment, LH rear wheel was little bit out of the specs, too much "toe in", it was something like -.10 (those are some "minutes" i think)
Feeling is now better, not restless anymore, rest of the "sticky" feeling is probably caused because those Michelin winter tires. will see when i`m changing summer tires on.