Here's a quick question. What's the best method of getting a better steering response? For instance, I've driven an s2000 and if you jerk the wheel slightly, there's no delay and it instantly turns. But in my civic (99'), it feels like there's a delay - i'll turn the wheel to the left and it takes a while to turn (I have to turn the wheel further), so a shitty response is the main point. So my question is,

The car is coming up on 10 years old, so is it that the tie rods / something else is worn and just needs replacing and what would be the part I need?

Or is that it's not a racecar like an s2000 and needs some type of aftermarket part to tighten up the steering, which would be?

I have F/R sway bars (26/23) and F/R strut tower bars. So what else?

 

You need a better steering rack. For your generation, an Si/CTR would probably have the shortest steering ratio. You might be able to swap in an ITR rack, with additional swapping of other parts.

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2091269
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2151746

 

get a traction bar.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by id3379 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">get a traction bar.</TD></TR></TABLE>
um what? Explain please?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlueIntegraBoy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You need a better steering rack. For your generation, an Si/CTR would probably have the shortest steering ratio. You might be able to swap in an ITR rack, with additional swapping of other parts.</TD></TR></TABLE>

And in your opinion this would yield better results than for instance korbach frame locks / a strong bar?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by badboyr66 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2091269
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2151746</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by id3379 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">get a traction bar.</TD></TR></TABLE>

eh, I would however it's daily driven car. I'm not looking to go all out with it, I just wanted a tighter steering response.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by id3379 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">get a traction bar.</TD></TR></TABLE>

que?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sk8shorty012 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
eh, I would however it's daily driven car. I'm not looking to go all out with it, I just wanted a tighter steering response.</TD></TR></TABLE>

so whats ur point with that one..?? my car's daily driver but i did complete front end build "suspension wise" an my car steers better than my moms 08' 760Li

 

Point being he does not wanna go that far down the rabbit hole Alice.....

He either needs a PS rack or a ratio reducer for what he is doing.

 

low profile tires will give you quicker steering response

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM_SOHC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

so whats ur point with that one..?? my car's daily driver but i did complete front end build "suspension wise" an my car steers better than my moms 08' 760Li </TD></TR></TABLE>

No Way!!! You mean your moms 4552lb luxury sedan isn't as nimble as your 2200lb honda???



I agree that you could switch to a different rack, but as far as wider tires, they can improve your handling, but replacing your suspension bushings/shocks/springs would probably have the greatest effect.

When you turn, all your worn bushings have give/play and everything has to shift before your car actually starts turning, a Poly suspension bushing kit from someone like Energy Suspension would make everything MUCH tighter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dasfinc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

No Way!!! You mean your moms 4552lb luxury sedan isn't as nimble as your 2200lb honda???



</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL, yeah

 

thanks for the responses. I already have aftermarket springs / shocks, and the sway bars / strut tower bars.

But as far as a better steering response, it's agreed that a steering rack swap would probably be the best route to go (yield the best results)?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sk8shorty012 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for the responses. I already have aftermarket springs / shocks, and the sway bars / strut tower bars.

But as far as a better steering response, it's agreed that a steering rack swap would probably be the best route to go (yield the best results)?</TD></TR></TABLE>

didn't answer my question though, are your bushings origional still? that would have a HUGE impact on your steering response.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dasfinc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

didn't answer my question though, are your bushings origional still? that would have a HUGE impact on your steering response.</TD></TR></TABLE>

they are. However, doesn't the ES bushing kit make for a crazy stiff ride?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sk8shorty012 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

they are. However, doesn't the ES bushing kit make for a crazy stiff ride?</TD></TR></TABLE>

not really.

you would be replacing the bushings that attach the swaybars, steering rack, etc springs/struts really dictate the firmness of the ride more so than the suspension components you'd be replacing with the bushing kit. You may notice more 'road feel' through the steeringwheel, but thats about it I'd imagine.

at very least, replace all your front-end bushings with OEM ones, it is alot cheaper/easier than replacing your entire rack I'd have to guess.

I'd imagine your comment on 'its a 10 year old car' implies it has some decent # of miles on it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dasfinc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

not really.

you would be replacing the bushings that attach the swaybars, steering rack, etc springs/struts really dictate the firmness of the ride more so than the suspension components you'd be replacing with the bushing kit. You may notice more 'road feel' through the steeringwheel, but thats about it I'd imagine.

at very least, replace all your front-end bushings with OEM ones, it is alot cheaper/easier than replacing your entire rack I'd have to guess.

I'd imagine your comment on 'its a 10 year old car' implies it has some decent # of miles on it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

it's got 160,xxx. The sway bar bushings have the ES bushings. Other than that, it's OEM. I'd probably replace the tie ends when replacing the rack, if I do the swap.

I'm trying to find an archive of references of what the ratios are / which ones will fit in the EK chassis.

Anybody have a link?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sk8shorty012 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

it's got 160,xxx. The sway bar bushings have the ES bushings. Other than that, it's OEM. I'd probably replace the tie ends when replacing the rack, if I do the swap.

I'm trying to find an archive of references of what the ratios are / which ones will fit in the EK chassis.

Anybody have a link?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea, honestly at 160XXX i'd go ahead and replace the lot instead of buying a rack (Cheaper, and you'd probably be surprised how much you get back)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by id3379 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">get a traction bar.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, a new gas cap cover would probly help too huh?

 

well, this is interesting.

In this thread people seem to think that the em1 did not have a better ratio power steering rack?

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1756670

In which case, there wouldn't be a readily avaliable rack. Can anyone confirm this?

 

take the power steering belt off and check out the response you get from that

 

Idk if u can but swap in a Del Sol Steering Rack I love how it turns compared to a S2000 its almost the same

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sk8shorty012 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here's a quick question. What's the best method of getting a better steering response? For instance, I've driven an s2000 and if you jerk the wheel slightly, there's no delay and it instantly turns. But in my civic (99'), it feels like there's a delay - i'll turn the wheel to the left and it takes a while to turn (I have to turn the wheel further), so a shitty response is the main point. So my question is,

The car is coming up on 10 years old, so is it that the tie rods / something else is worn and just needs replacing and what would be the part I need?

Or is that it's not a racecar like an s2000 and needs some type of aftermarket part to tighten up the steering, which would be?

I have F/R sway bars (26/23) and F/R strut tower bars. So what else?</TD></TR></TABLE>


You might want to first try a simple rack guide adjustment:

 

thanks for the diagram. I'll definetly give that a try.

However, can anyone confirm that the em1 has a different rack ratio than the ex / dx / lx?

 

why dont you just change your steering wheel for a smaller one? that will make the response a little quicker.