Power steering

[pawood]

Does anyone know of a way of toning down the power steering on the P5? I find it too mushy at high speeds.

[MP5Navy]

Actually I have been think the very same thing as soon as I got the car. I would like to know what is involved and whether it can be adjusted.

[Familia 323]

It may not be the power steering that causes it to be less responsive at high speeds. Try increasing your tire pressure a bit as a little more pressure improves the steering response due to less tire flex. It also allows the suspension to set up quicker to road conditions and speed. I've also heard that dealers likes setting up tire pressures a little less than what the tires should have... Just a thought.. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[pawood]

Thanks, I'll look into that, but I do find that the steering is light, even at speed. I worry about lashback oing hard into a corner... have you had any problems?

[rowan]

no problems with steering in autocross ...
of course the p5's have an engine speed sensing system so the dynamics would change at higher speeds than on a parking lot course.

definitely raise tire pressure first .. i don't know enough about power steering systems to suggest anything else, but with a speed sensing system, the power steering should have a lesser effect at higher speeds so it probably all comes down to tire pressure.. ??

[ReMuXieD]

anyone planning on taking power steer, cruise control, or A/C out? like 300lbs!?

[7plymaple]

Hey pawood. I think you might just not be used to the speed sensitive steering yet. Mushy is exactly how I described mine when I first got it. The Protege was the first car I ever drove with speed sensitive steering. It makes it mushy so people who dont realize how much smoother they have to be at speed can continue being idiots. I found it anoying at first but now Id probably seem like an idiot if I drove my old car.

[7plymaple]

Woa! Hey ReMuXieD! have you ever heard of anyone doing that? Im totally interested! Will the gearing of the steering make it to siff without power? Can you just yank it? Dissconnect stuff without effecting anything else?

[7plymaple]

AAAAh who am I kidding? Id rather be slow than sweat and torture my little girl arms!

[MP5Navy]

I understand the speed sensitive steering (have had it in all four of my cars). My problem is that the power assisted steering is 'power assisting' too much regardless of the speed (Most notably during high speeds) I want the steering to be stiffer - period (not a matter of tire pressure). The question was whether or not we could adjust the amount of assist the power steering does?

[ReMuXieD]

well, 2 of my friends, one with crx and one with civic hatch both took out all 3 of those things. i've never tried the car without power steer, but they told me that its impossible to turn the car when the car's stopped, you need at least some speed to steer the car.. or somethings along those lines..?

[Familia 323]

Pawood, since I've upgraded my suspension/wheels/tires, my 2nd gen Protege handles much better in the corners. I really can't comment much on the P5's handling, but from what I've read (tests) and heard (from other members), they're good handlers. Like what Rowan and I suggested, increase tire pressure, I'm sure there'll be improvements. I'm also not sure how good the stock Dunlops are on the P5, but with better rubber, there should be some improvements as well.

[rowan]

Well.. they're all-seasons so the sidewalls are relatively mushy http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Although I don't roll over on them at ~40 psi fronts when running a course so maybe they're not all bad.

I couldn't handle not having A/C but I wouldn't mind taking out my cruise control. I think it might involve removing the front quarterpanel to get at the control module. Mebby dealership would take it out.. hehe

I've driven a golf without power steering and it's a different feeling! Nothing you can't adjust to. Parallel parking is rather unpleasant.

[Familia 323]

Yeah, you need to rum 'em stock tires at 40 psi for your slalom Rowan. Btw, are they 195's ? All Japanese manufacturers always undersizes tires. Imho, they should have opted for 205's anyways for better handling, bigger footprint. Same as Acuras, very notorious for undersizing.

Dave, not sure if the steering box can be adjusted on the P5's if it relates to your query. Perhaps Ray can give us some insight on that. I know certain power-assisted systems can be adjusted, ie belts and linkages..

[rowan]

The power steering sytem is hydraulic .. I have the service manual so it has diagrams and whatnot. Maybe if one of you guys had a look at it you'd get an idea.

The Protege 5 (and 2002 ES) come with 195/50R16 tires. Such a pain in the ass because it's a weird size, and the rims are only 16x6 so you can fit barely any normal tires on them. I guess they wanted to save the extra bit of money on 7" whi rims. Even the rims on the new Integra are only 6.5" wide.

[Familia 323]

Same (hydraulic) as the G2's.. Unless air isn't detected in the hydraulic system, I really wouldn't bother with it. What Dave can do though is tighten the steering gear mounting and probably the linkage points, and if you can find where the steering mechanism is on the manual (diagram), well that can be adjusted too to make steering slightly tighter... That's about all I can think of, since all your P5's are fairly new and the chances of having worn parts are highly remote.. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[DWM-motorsports]

If you are planning to modify,you may want to leave the power steering alone it this point.I would not recommend tightening the steering rack it is not the problem.. Some 17 inch rims with 205'S make the most noticable difference..(It will still be light, but more responsive.)
The gear ratio of  the rack and the level of power assist through the speed sensor system are the main problem..
The new Mazdaspeed Protege due this fall is should have better steering and the parts should bolt directly into your p5 http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif

[pawood]

Mr. 1.6, I think you might be right about the need to aclimatize myself with the steering, another reason I ask is that one very dirty trick in slalom and autocross is to go from a stock 16" rim to a low profile 15" rim. You get more get up and go very cheaply as you don't have yo worry about top speed, but it might bite you in the &*(* if the steering is too regulated as it might cause the steering to become twitchy.

[rowan]

Dirty trick? nawww ...
Any size wheels are legal in all classes according to CASC-OR Solo 2 rules, as long as they don't stick out from the fenders for stock class you're good to go. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Simon's running on stock 14's !! bastard. And here I am stuck with my monsterous 16-inch wheels. No wonder he can keep up with me in that 1.6 http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif (of course experience has nooothing to do with it .. haha)

[pawood]

14s! He must be coming close to scraping the doorjams! http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[7plymaple]

Yeah those 16s are definitely a disadvantage for racing. I read that in Japan you cant buy a miata with anything bigger than 15s because the big wheel fad hasnt caught on there.

Actually I think this weekend Im gonna run my new (used) 15s wich have a smaller tire diameter than my stock 14s because the tires are 195/50/r15. I think they have the same tire diameter as the 185/60/r14 Yokohamas Im running right now. Exept the rims are 1" wider!

Next season Im gonna get some high milage tires for my 15s and use em as summer street rims.

For the track I want to get some rediculus tires for my 14s cause the rubber's so much cheaper. Plus I can run my hubcaps on em and frustrate people. http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

[pawood]

Get the type of hubcap that looks like a wire wheel with a cheesy knock-off wannabe. You can still get them in finer Canadian Tires above Port Perry, also, you might consider that glitter spray for tires to add that "classy" touch, and of course... the pine air freshener hanging from the mirror http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Familia 323]

Simon, let me know if you want some sticky 15' tires for your slalom. I have a set of 4 Bridgestone RE910's (205/50HR/15) and I may also part with my 15' Rota alloys, which I use for winter. Both are in excellent shape.

[7plymaple]

The tires I got right now are pretty lumpy so Im definetly interested.