Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

Ok well I don’t have Pic’s or anything but I do have Info for any of you Base TL owners out there not liking the lose sloppy feeling in your Steering. I just had an 08 TL Type-S Steering Rack put in my 04 TL Base auto and that is all gone and in it’s place a nice tight Steering I had an 08 Rack with all the Tie Rods and Tie Rod ends put in and was a 100% swap.

05AcTL

iTrader: (15)

how much did it cost

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

I put out $200 for a Rack with 5000 miles on it, Looked New and to have the shop put it in was $297.00 well worth it to me

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

Nice mod, I do agree about the base smooth wheel... The S is much much more stiff as if you had no power steering at times

It def is fun

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

Yea I love the feel now next is a Power Steering pump out an 07 or 08 Type-S it flows less above 3200rpm for a firm feel in the wheel at higher speeds.

Fresh23

iTrader: (2)

Im so gonna do this, I cant stand the sloppy feeling. NY streets drive me crazy with the uneven road. Where did you source the parts?

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

I got mine from www.car-part.com and look for the 3.5L part you can use a PS pump & Steering rack out of an 07 to 08 TL-S and it all will work with a Base Auto.
You will love it I tell ya why could they not make it like this from day one.

Maddizm

iTrader: (5)

So it's different? I had no idea. This will make my steering characteristics tighter? For only 300 bucks?

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

Yea the rack ratio is much closer on the TL-S rack and with all the up dates that went in to the 07 to 08 Rack it's well worth it.

Here is what is new with the 07/08 Rack
STEERING

The TL uses torque-sensing, variable power-assisted rack and pinion steering. The engine-driven variable-output pump provides the kind of steering feel that driving enthusiasts like: modest steering effort at low speeds and precise feel at higher speeds.

For 2007, the TL Type-S receives revised power steering pumps and steering gearboxes to improve steering effort build and feeling while maintaining a confident and stable feel. To this end, the power steering pump has been retuned for decreased flow at 3250 rpm for increased effort build up. Additionally, the steering gearbox tuning increased effort by 15 percent at high speeds for better on-center feel. The rack has also been retuned for better damping feel. To keep up with the demands of spirited driving, the TL Type-S also features a new aluminum power steering fluid cooler.

Hydraulic steering dampers built into the system further improve stability during cornering and at high speeds. A one-way kickback valve decreases kickback to the steering wheel that can be caused by road irregularities. The hydraulic valve closes when it senses road irregularities, impeding disturbances to the steering wheel.

Increasing the stiffness of the steering gearbox mounting and the rear sub frame also maximizes steering linearity.

Maddizm

iTrader: (5)

Oh wait you said 04 TL auto... is there a difference between that and an 06 6mt, and then even more of a difference between the 07 TYpe-S steering rack? How was install? TOugh? I got lots of questions cuz I never thought about this, and it seems daaaamn interesting, especially since I'm toying around with getting S/C in my mind.

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

For 07 & 08 they up dated the Steering racks for the TL-S so yea it will be an up grade for your car also. The shop did it and they said it took them about 2hr's to do but it's a pull your old rack out and put this one in it's place nothing to Modd at all.

paliknight

i never drove a base TL before, but let me tell you that anyone who does this mod should be careful. the steering on the Type-S is VERY responsive. the slightest touch can cause the car to steer. i love it that way though so im happy.

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

And that is just what the Base needs, it's steering has no feel to it and when you turn the wheels it's slow to turn and respond and on top of that you add milage to it and you get a very unresponsive car good time to put in an 07 to 08 TL-S rack like I did.

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Damn...good information! Cheap mod with excellent results it sounds like.

Thanks! Damn...you guys are making me want to keep my TL.


PS...notice the use of punctuation? It greatly helps!! (just ribbin ya...lol)

ABP_04TL

iTrader: (2)

so this MOD should work also on my 04 6Spd... or am i good with wat i have?

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

I think you should try and parallel park an S first... you will laugh

ABP_04TL

iTrader: (2)

i have

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

It will work for you and I tell you after driving my car all day today there is nothing bad I can say about this Mod, It would have been nice if I had done this Months back there are 100% no issues with it at all.

banelba

Thanks you for sharing.

pffpffpass

iTrader: (2)

Im gunna look into this.. Thanks man

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

Any time, two day's now and love it I can't belive no one has thought of this. Anyone that needs any info just ask I'll help any way I can.

Sondinh

iTrader: (3)

They said my steering rack was an issue when I went to Town Fair Tires to do a changeover for my wheels for the summer. Will there be any problem if I do this mod? My car is an 04 TL Auto. BTW the link you provided did not work. Can you please provide me a link to where you bought the item? Any additional item I have to buy besides the steering rack? Thank you.

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

The only thing you will need is the Rack it's a take out your old Rack and put in the 07/08 TL-s Rack, I also have an 04 Base TL and love this Mod you can find a rack at www.car-parts.com look for the 07/08 3.5L TL.

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

Also on a side note I also put in the 08 TL-S power Steering pump but you don't need it. I did it couse over 3250RPM's it cuts back flow to make the Steering harder at higher speeds.

But if you can't find a TL-s rack at a good price I still have my Base Rack you can have for $100+Ship

ABP_04TL

iTrader: (2)

when u say Rack is the Rack & Pinion right? dis sounds like sumthin im def goin to do plus the power steerin pump

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

Yes Steering rack & Pinion + Power Steering pump Car should come this way it's 100% bolt up I love the Mod. TL-S Brakes are next.

ussi

iTrader: (1)

Does this work on a MT as well? Would I need to get a 07/08 type-S MT rack?

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

Yes auto or MT will work for all years from 04 to 08 all the cars use the same Rack it's just the inside ratio that was changed but how it mounts to the subframe are all the same. All TL-S Racks from 07 to 08 are the same Auto or MT. You just need an 07/08 TL-S Rack and you can also do the Power Steering pump if you like.

ABP_04TL

iTrader: (2)

woo hoo.... Rack here i come!

thnx bro

FiveLiterCheater

Really thinking about doing this, but wouldn't you need the revisted PS pump if you install the type-s steering column?

Maddizm

iTrader: (5)

^ He said you wouldn't need to but he did b/c the PS pump for the type-S has some kinda of cut off at higher speeds. I'm assuming it gets 'less' sensitive at speed for more control. Correct me if I'm under the wrong assumption.

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

Na you correct it slows down flow at 3250RPM for a Firmer feel at higher speeds and I have tested it and you can feel it. But anyone that can't buy a TL-s PS pump you can use the one in your car now I drove on the two of them and there is no diffrence below 3250rpm's they feel the same it's that 15% flow cut after 3250.

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

So this is a great post... I too have noted my 2006 has the steering response of an Oldsmobile, and I also noted the stiffer, more responsive steering of the TL-S during a test drive. Good to see this is a relatively bolt on upgrade, other than you have to drop the subframe to get the rack out.

I'd reccomend upgrading to the TL-S FSB during this install, as when the front subframe is down is the only way to get the FSB replaced as well.

So here's a few Questions:


The TL uses torque-sensing, variable power-assisted rack and pinion steering. The engine-driven variable-output pump provides the kind of steering feel that driving enthusiasts like: modest steering effort at low speeds and precise feel at higher speeds.

For 2007, the TL Type-S receives revised power steering pumps and steering gearboxes to improve steering effort build and feeling while maintaining a confident and stable feel. To this end, the power steering pump has been retuned for decreased flow at 3250 rpm for increased effort build up. Additionally, the steering gearbox tuning increased effort by 15 percent at high speeds for better on-center feel. The rack has also been retuned for better damping feel. To keep up with the demands of spirited driving, the TL Type-S also features a new aluminum power steering fluid cooler.


How does the pump do this? Is ths ECM controlled or just RPM driven? What I'm asking is there any link to the car's brain for this function to work, or is it purely mechanical in the pump. I'd for folks to install the upgraded pump and have these updated functions be controlled by an ECM that doesn't exist in our car.

Did you do the cooler? Any plans to?


Hydraulic steering dampers built into the system further improve stability during cornering and at high speeds. A one-way kickback valve decreases kickback to the steering wheel that can be caused by road irregularities. The hydraulic valve closes when it senses road irregularities, impeding disturbances to the steering wheel.


I assume these are all functions of the new "rack"? I think this feature exists in our racks as well...


Increasing the stiffness of the steering gearbox mounting and the rear sub frame also maximizes steering linearity.


If the new rack is a direct bolt on, where/how are these reinfocements made? And what about the rear subframe? What's different, where are these reinforcements?

Looks like a great mod, I'm just wondering how we get all the intending handling upgrades...?

djbonsu

iTrader: (3)

Wow...this sounds dope...maybe ill consider when my taxes get here...defintely need to tighten up the steering on mine

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

FYI... The tubing difference seem a bit different, wondering if the PS cooler can be bolted on as the seem to terminate in the same place...

2006:
http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no


2007 TL-S
http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no

TL|GTX

When i test drove the 08 TL-S, and Base 08 TL they both felt the same.

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

First I'm not going to do the PS cooler not worth it to me.

Second the pump has a tuned Spring in the flow valve that cuts back flow along with the valve.

next up is the improvement comes from the change in the Ratio in the Rack and the 15% increse in Steering stiffness.

Next is the Dropping the Sub from it was not lowerd at all once the lines and 4 bolts are out of the way it comes out from the drivers side wheel fender shop Charged me 2.8hr to put it in by the Book.

I did the FSB at the time it was put in Rack came with it.
If you need any info you can call me I'm kicking this and that around as things to do to my car.
407-242-2712 Luis

Anarchy919

iTrader: (4)

If you look up the part numbers you will see they are not the same the Base 08 TL was set up for a nice soft ride and the TL-S is set up for a Performance stand point. But they are close as I did the same thing when I was thinking of doing the Rack Mod drove an 08 Base and then drove an 08 TL-S.

paliknight

never test drove a base, but everyone says the steering is soft and it drives like a regular car. a TL-S does NOT drive like what everyone else described.

FiveLiterCheater

The steering really isn't as bad as everyone is saying, then again I don't remember how my car handled stock...but it really isn't THAT bad. Its still firmer than the Lexus IS350 I test drove, and after driving a loaner 09 Altima 2.5S for 3 weeks, I can safely say you can't even begin to compare the two. Get into and Lexus or Mercedes, then talk about numb steering I swear, it felt like there was nothing attached to the steering wheel in the IS i drove, kind of like those wheels they used to have at playgrounds.

With that being said, there is still room for improvment. I might try this mod out....but that damn PS pump is $265 alone! The steering column is $209...I wonder if you have to install the radiator with the PS pump...