The steering on my 05 TL MT (no ASPEC) is pretty sloppy when cornering at high speeds. It feels like the power steering is way over powered. Is this normal? Handles great but having the steering feel so touchy is pretty lame. Any advice? Sway bar? Adjust the steering pump somehow?

Just to be clear, this isn't a suspension problem, just over powered power sterring.

 

My 04, sometimes, will make me feel the steering is over-responsive in high speed. Some people ever suggested that A-Spec suspension could help driver gain the firmer control again.

 

Have you had the alignment checked since tha A-Spec install, if the toe in is incorrectly set front, rear or both the steering may feel touchy or light on turns to the other extreme it may feel like the car is fighting you to turn a corner. Anytime any suspension part is changed alignment should be checked and adjusted if possible. And just because a car is new doesn't mean the alignment is correct, it may be within specs but still not correct. Most new car warranties allow 1 free alignment within the first 1yr or 12,000 miles. If the dealer installed the A-Spec they should have checked the alignment.


TIM

 

Yeah, it is somewhat numb. I had the A-Spec suspension installed and it improved things a great deal.

 

Yeah... sounds like I may need to invest in some improvements to the suspension then. Thanks.

 

Do you still have the Bridgestone EL42s? Replacing those with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S really helped the steering feel and handling of my '04.

 

Click on the "A-Spec" link in my sig below to get my impressions on the steering before and after the A-Spec. The A-Spec is the best way to improve the handling of this car and it doesn't take much away from the comfort at all. It's Acura-designed, to boot, so you don't have to worry about funny camber situations, etc.

 

have your alignment checked...the night I put on my camber kit, everything was way out of spec and the handling was, needless to say, "sloppy"

 

Indeed. Tires do make a big difference when it comes to steering weight and stability. Tires always suck for a couple hundred miles when new. They still have some of that slippery mould release film on the rubber, which makes them downright squirmy until you wear it off.

Furthermore, the tread blocks are very tall when new and are therefore at their least stable. Ideal tread block stability comes after literally many thousands of miles after 30-40% wear.

Also, tire pressure can make a difference when it comes to steering (esp. in the front). I find that too low a tire pressure can exaggerate roll and make the steering a little numb and soft. OTOH, too much pressure can make the tires a little skittish and reduce stability, especially if the roads are not perfectly smooth. You have to find that right range. 32-34 psi usually a good start for many FWD cars. I use 34 psi in my Jetta; I know Acura recommends 35 in the TL 6MT.

Finally, getting sticky summer rubber can help as well. The steering will become heavier and have a stronger on-center feel, although the increased responsiveness might make the car a little more skittish, responding to road surface irregularities like road crowning, tramlining, etc. more than you would like.

 

I have Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 kicks from the factory.

I had Pilots on my Solara stock, switched to some Costco specials when I wore them out and hated the Bridgestones that were put on. Man, they sucked... I put the Pilots back on for the third set and was back in it.

I know that it's a bit subjective but, the tread pattern on the stocks is pretty lame too.

 

My steering fights back at me when taking high speed turns. It jumps back in the other direction on lean in. Very annoying. Something my Type S does not do.