My Civic hybrid also has the honda EPS system and "stiction" is exactly the right term for it... it's by far the worst thing about driving the car. A normal I1 doesn't feel like that, it should be very easy and return to center quickly (mine did, my dad's does).
All info I've seen on the HCH1 said "replace the steering rack" ($$$$), except one guy that said the torque sensor binds and recommended spraying oil into it. I'm going to try that first, otherwise... ouch, my wallet!
It would be good to know the following:
1) How much the EPS motor weighs?
2) If with the unit removed whether there is a noticeable reduction in steering effort compared to with only the EPS fuse removed?
Weight is probably negligible, I wouldn't estimate it at more than 8-10 pounds. But, it probably has a gearbox, which will cause quite a bit of drag even if the motor is connected to nothing. I'd say it'll make a difference.
Well I finally took the PS motor off. Once you get the battery/box out, the motor and associated plugs are not too hard to get at.
However, in my case the motor was frozen/corroded into place. So tight that after the two main mounting bolts were removed, it was still completely stuck. Had to use a sharp chisel driven between the motor/base and the mounting flange on the steering rack!
But got it off, sprayed a bit of lube inside the opening (there is a small splined shaft in the bottom), and covered up the opening with a nice old small thick sock...
So, how does it drive? MUCH BETTER! There is almost no stiction at all now. Even when steering while backing out of parking lots/etc. it almost seems like there is still power steering. Happiness.
For all the great things about these Gen 1's, putting PS on them was the lamest idea. Right up there with putting the seat tilt levers on the inside of the seats away from the doors...
In the older cars I used to drive, the non-power steering versions had a different steering gear ratio than their powered counterparts. Could this be the case on our Insights?
__________________
Silver '00 MT
90.2 LMPG
80+ psi in RE92's for the past 2 years without incident
Calpod switch
Warm air mod
Grill block
EPS fuse removed
FAS/fuel injector interrupt circuit
grid charger
OBDII C&C gauge
Well I finally took the PS motor off. Once you get the battery/box out, the motor and associated plugs are not too hard to get at.
However, in my case the motor was frozen/corroded into place. So tight that after the two main mounting bolts were removed, it was still completely stuck. Had to use a sharp chisel driven between the motor/base and the mounting flange on the steering rack!
But got it off, sprayed a bit of lube inside the opening (there is a small splined shaft in the bottom), and covered up the opening with a nice old small thick sock...
So, how does it drive? MUCH BETTER! There is almost no stiction at all now. Even when steering while backing out of parking lots/etc. it almost seems like there is still power steering. Happiness.
For all the great things about these Gen 1's, putting PS on them was the lamest idea. Right up there with putting the seat tilt levers on the inside of the seats away from the doors...
Thank you for the experiment and the report. I may have to find time to do that myself. With us all going over the fiscal cliff, and the country practically shutting down, I'll have more time on my hands for "cheap" stuff to do
Well I finally took the PS motor off. Once you get the battery/box out, the motor and associated plugs are not too hard to get at.
However, in my case the motor was frozen/corroded into place. So tight that after the two main mounting bolts were removed, it was still completely stuck. Had to use a sharp chisel driven between the motor/base and the mounting flange on the steering rack!
But got it off, sprayed a bit of lube inside the opening (there is a small splined shaft in the bottom), and covered up the opening with a nice old small thick sock...
So, how does it drive? MUCH BETTER! There is almost no stiction at all now. Even when steering while backing out of parking lots/etc. it almost seems like there is still power steering. Happiness.
For all the great things about these Gen 1's, putting PS on them was the lamest idea. Right up there with putting the seat tilt levers on the inside of the seats away from the doors...
Very interesting finding!
A few questions:
1) Do you have a picture of the bit(s) removed?
2) How much weight did this mod save?
3) Is the EPS light on?
4) Has it affected anything else?
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