Steering question

[mike561]

Ok so i know these are two completely different cars. i used to own a 1988 chevy caprice before i bought my pontiac, and as i remembered, the steering on that car was ALOT more loose then my pontiac. what i mean is it diddnt take as much strength to turn the wheel. why does the steering feel more loose on older cars? is it because they are more worn-in? different system? my caprice had power steering too i belive. in my opinion i liked it better when the wheel feels more loose. OR could it just be that the airbag inside the new(er) steering wheels add more weight?

[BNaylor]

Due to different designs relative to steering systems. The Caprice has regular power steering with a gearbox that uses a steering knuckle. The GP steering system is rack and pinion. Rack and pinion systems are designed to have higher steering effort for better control and feedback of the road. Also the GP is front wheel drive and the Caprice is rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive cars have more weight on the front end than RWD cars and different handling characteristics like torque steer.

[mike561]

yeah that makes sense now, just another meaningless question from me. lol

[richtazz]

A lot of it has to do with the pump valving too. More boost and easier steering mean less feedback and a more vague feeling as to where the front wheels are pointing. Since our cars are more performance oriented, they have less boost for a heavier turn resulting in better feedback and more precise control.