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Newer cars generally have a much lower steering ratio (forgot the actual term for it) so steering without the power assist is a lot more difficult since turning
by Tiksi 11y ago
Newer cars generally have a much lower steering ratio (forgot the actual term for it) so steering without the power assist is a lot more difficult since turning the wheel fully in one direction might be only 1 full rotation of the wheel on a newer car vs 3-4 on an older one. Newer cars are also generally heavier making it even more difficult to steer.
- jacobreg 11y agoHow new are you defining newer to be? My car is a '96 mazda 626. I have driven around a '68 volvo, with no power steering and that definitely was much easier than my car when the engine dies. Has typical steering setup changed that much since '96? (Legitimately asking the question here, not trying to be rhetorical) Cars have definitely gotten heavier as you say, and volvos have always been on the heavier side.
- Tiksi 11y agoA 96 626 is on the older side as far as steering goes, and from what I recall driving that generation 626 it has a lower/looser steering ratio than most cars these days, though I can't seem to find any numbers with a quick search. As far as how much steering systems have changed, many are still more or less the same variable ratio rack and pinion systems, but most have moved to electronic steering assist instead of hydraulic, which allows for a higher steering ratio since you can adjust the strength of the assist on the fly (to have more control/less of an assist at higher speeds and with the wheel centered but a stronger assist when slower and turning the wheel) so low ratios aren't needed to keep the wheel easily turnable at low speeds. On top of that some cars are going full on steer by wire now, though not many due to the understandable reliability issues.