Just wondering, ever since I've owned my 03 TL I've noticed that the steering is heavier then most cars I've driven. Is this normal TL thing or do you think I have an issue with my power steering?

 

Is the steering effort light with cold starts, Then gets heavy as it warms up ?
If so it may be your power steering pump.
Try a fluid flush if no results then the pump.(Use Honda Power Steering Fluid Only)

Any suspension mods ?

This is from my experience with this issue, other members may have different suggestions on what fixed their hard steering.

 

~ What size of tires are you running and how much air pressure ?
~ Does the steering seem to be about the same going in either direction ?
~ What are some of the other cars which you previously drove, that you're comparing to ?
~ Is it any different cold or hot, slow or fast......in responding ?
~ Have you tried driving another TL to see if it feels the same as yours

 

From my experience between my TL & sister's 01 AV6, both have heavier steering than other cars of similar size/age to me.

Personally I like it, I get in some newer cars & the steering just feels too light/twitchy.

 

^^^ Yeah, totally agree.....some of the newer cars with "electric" type of steering gives me twitches.
They have no real road feel at all, very loose vague feeling and just don't feel connected to the road.

 

Right now I am on stock wheels with coilovers, but the steering feels the same as it did when i was all stock. It is the same whether it's warmed up or not. It really isn't too heavy but compared to newer cars it is noticeably heavier. I'll flush the fluid and see if that helps anything, but I was just wondering if that was a TL thing.

 

iirc dont we have speed sensitive steering??
so at parking lot speeds it gives more turn for the input versus freeway speeds where it tightens up and gives movement of wheels to steering input

do as all say above- air pressure in tires ~36 psi, ck ps fluid level is near full line, if you never flushed it- due every 60kmiles - read the diy and use Honda ps fluid
it has special secret sauce our ps pump likes

tip- use larger diameter hose OVER the return line going to drain pan/gallon jug
and secure together with screw type hose clamp, or you will have a huge mess

 

riding low- I bet the camber is off
a little negative camber is good to help you turn in to the corner
stock is 0 degree with neg 1 allowed, many run up to neg 1.4 with a little extra tire wear on the inner edge
more than that and invest in camber kits

 

The lightest steering I experienced was on a Ford crown vic, You can turn the steering wheel with just your pinky finger lol.

With my TL I had to wrestle the wheel to get it to turn while parking, Just like my older 95 civic dx non power steering. After checking everything the last part I changed was the pump and what a difference it made, still good to this day.

3.2tlc put some good suggestions right there.

 

^Add in the '07 range HD Ford diesels. I drove my mom's long bed crew cab F350 through Vegas. Light enough to drive with 1 finger.

I much prefer the heavy feel of the TL.

 

My 2002 TL-S says it has Torque-Sensitive steering as opposed to the standard Speed-Sensitive steering most cars have. Not sure what the difference is, but my TLS has the finest steering feel of anything I've ever driven.

 

Hey Iamtorok, while it may be considered a normal TL thing, ya may want to service the PS system. Flush and refill fluid, check the belt tension, and inspect the rack for possible issues. Make sure that the alignment and tire pressure is good.

 

note: ps belt tension is much looser than normal belts
too tight will kill the pump fast

who is going to dig out the owner manual and look up Torque Sensitive Steering definition?

 

On this note.

How do we go about doing a Power Steering flush?

I want to do a flush of that and my coolant.

 

^^^ PS and coolant flushes are both relatively simple.
If ya take a few minutes to search the subject or check the "DIY"s, you'll find more info.

 

Yea I checked the DIY and there was nothing for either Power Steering or the Collant Flushes.

But through googling around I found out that I am to empty the reservoir and then put the return line into another jar and turn the wheels lock to lock and empty the fluid.

Replace the line again and fill it up.

Is this correct?

And what bout the Coolant.

I also think I'll make the DIY pictures for it.