Steering not 'tracking'

1641 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by SPeacock, May 21, 2004

SPeacock

Discussion Starter · May 20, 2004

Got the new 04/blue/5sp/ac yesterday (#543). Of course, had to take a drive. I noticed right off that the steering is responsive - too responsive.

At freeway speeds on straight, level, wide roads. I have to continuously 'jiggle' the wheel to keep it inbetween the white lines. It seems to have incremental adjustments rather than smooth moves. I move the steering wheel just a fraction to the right and it seems to take 2 or 3 degrees. This means than within a second I have to nudge it gently to the left which the car then starts drifting for the left white line. Over a few hundred miles this takes up a LOT of attention. I can only imagine what this would be like at 90mph.

I expected it to be more 'sporty' than a Civic/Accord but this is a bit too much. It can not be left 'unattended' for a second, and it does not favor any side. I've had sports cars (and a CRX) for years. This was not expected. If you plot my progress down the road from above it would be a zigzag.

Could it be toe-in?

Anybody else have this problem?

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Holicow

· #2 · May 20, 2004

SPeacock said:
Could it be toe-in?

Yes, it could. Perhaps an alignment check is in order. That should answer the question.

Too much negative toe (toe-in) would make the steering too responsive to turn input. Not enough, or even positive toe, would tend to make it wander.

Just keep in mind that the Insight has responsive steering, but with the relatively narrow tires and F/R track differential, it tends to follow road grooves, etc, much more than other cars.

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