Unequal left-right power steering assist
#1
03-25-2017, 02:36 PM
Unequal left-right power steering assist
My apologies if this has already been addressed. I'm unable to find anything about this issue with searches here and elsewhere.
A few months ago, my 2007 Fit Sport (A/T) started drifting left. Strange symptoms, though. No problems once I'm up at speed; most pronounced when coasting at just a few MPH. Identical behavior with both winter and summer tires. No odd wear on either set of tires.
Just had an alignment done at a dealership. Got a full refund because the alignment did not solve the problem. Tech thought we were looking at an EPS problem. Most telling is steering wheel effort at standstill -- noticeably more needed for right than left.
EPS has never cut out, as has been reported in other threads. The light has never come on (except when it's supposed to -- at key II before engine start).
Any thoughts or experiences that might aid in diagnosis and repair would be much appreciated.
A few months ago, my 2007 Fit Sport (A/T) started drifting left. Strange symptoms, though. No problems once I'm up at speed; most pronounced when coasting at just a few MPH. Identical behavior with both winter and summer tires. No odd wear on either set of tires.
Just had an alignment done at a dealership. Got a full refund because the alignment did not solve the problem. Tech thought we were looking at an EPS problem. Most telling is steering wheel effort at standstill -- noticeably more needed for right than left.
EPS has never cut out, as has been reported in other threads. The light has never come on (except when it's supposed to -- at key II before engine start).
Any thoughts or experiences that might aid in diagnosis and repair would be much appreciated.
Last edited by FDrebin; 03-25-2017 at 02:50 PM.
#2
03-26-2017, 11:52 AM
Progress... maybe...
Cracked open the shop manual and found page 17-21 under Steering/EPS Components. Title is "Memorising the Torque Sensor Neutral Position." This is a procedure that is required any time an EPS component is replaced, but it sounds promising for my situation. Is this something that could go out of whack? If so, is there enough "adjustment" remaining to restore proper operation?
I am now investing in one of those inexpensive clone HDS systems that, I hope, will enable me to carry out the "learn" procedure. (A lot of good information here on those things.) We shall see. Will report back.
Cracked open the shop manual and found page 17-21 under Steering/EPS Components. Title is "Memorising the Torque Sensor Neutral Position." This is a procedure that is required any time an EPS component is replaced, but it sounds promising for my situation. Is this something that could go out of whack? If so, is there enough "adjustment" remaining to restore proper operation?
I am now investing in one of those inexpensive clone HDS systems that, I hope, will enable me to carry out the "learn" procedure. (A lot of good information here on those things.) We shall see. Will report back.
#5
03-28-2017, 09:27 PM
I have a similar issue! My steering wheel wants to slightly steer right and also drift right, even with proper alignment. It is harder to turn left than it is to the right. It is annoying but not terrible. The EPS light is not on and the EPS works otherwise.
#6
03-29-2017, 11:13 AM
Don't want to get too far ahead of myself here. Let's see where this goes.
#7
03-29-2017, 11:22 AM
Sorry, Doctordoom. I posted a few paragraphs in response, which seem to have been censored for no reason known to me. I am not going to recreate the post. Bottom line: I don't have the data.
#9
03-29-2017, 12:01 PM
No. Shouldn't, really. The tires are directional.
Symptoms remain when I rotate front/back or swap summer/winter sets. New summer tires going on in a few weeks. We'll see what happens then.
However...
If a new set of tires or some kind of tire rotation solves the problem of power assist being more pronounced in one turn direction than the other while at standstill, I will, as a male approaching 70 years of age, do what it takes to bear your child.
Appreciate the suggestion.
Symptoms remain when I rotate front/back or swap summer/winter sets. New summer tires going on in a few weeks. We'll see what happens then.
However...
If a new set of tires or some kind of tire rotation solves the problem of power assist being more pronounced in one turn direction than the other while at standstill, I will, as a male approaching 70 years of age, do what it takes to bear your child.
Appreciate the suggestion.
Last edited by FDrebin; 03-29-2017 at 07:29 PM.
#11
10-10-2021, 10:55 AM
Although I never got around to installing the diagnostic system on my PC, I did ask the dealer to perform the "torque sensor neutral position" calibration the last time I had the car at their shop (for the driveshaft recall) a few months ago. I even provided a photocopy of the page from my shop manual in case the tech was unfamiliar with the procedure. They charged me for an hour's labor, which is such BS, but, hey, life goes on.
The bottom line is, amazingly, that it worked! Sort of. I was surprised because I was expecting some EPS component(s) would have to be replaced. (I even had a used EPS control unit -- the part that goes under the dash -- I sourced on eBay at the ready in case the diagnosis called for its replacement... not that the dealer would have put it in, but I could have, easily.)
I say "sort of" because, although the drift to the left at slow speeds and the self-turning of the wheels to the left when the front of the car is lifted and engine started is now completely gone, I still feel it's very slightly harder to turn the steering wheel to the right. However, it's almost imperceptible, and I have no experimental data to prove I'm not imagining it. It's certainly good enough on this old car.
I can't guarantee it's a fix for every FIT with this problem, but if you have access to an HDS or don't mind getting fleeced at a dealership, I say give it a try.
Last edited by FDrebin; 10-10-2021 at 11:50 AM.
#12
10-10-2021, 01:21 PM
Sorry for not updating. I had forgotten my post here.
Although I never got around to installing the diagnostic system on my PC, I did ask the dealer to perform the "torque sensor neutral position" calibration the last time I had the car at their shop (for the driveshaft recall) a few months ago. I even provided a photocopy of the page from my shop manual in case the tech was unfamiliar with the procedure. They charged me for an hour's labor, which is such BS, but, hey, life goes on.
The bottom line is, amazingly, that it worked! Sort of. I was surprised because I was expecting some EPS component(s) would have to be replaced. (I even had a used EPS control unit -- the part that goes under the dash -- I sourced on eBay at the ready in case the diagnosis called for its replacement... not that the dealer would have put it in, but I could have, easily.)
I say "sort of" because, although the drift to the left at slow speeds and the self-turning of the wheels to the left when the front of the car is lifted and engine started is now completely gone, I still feel it's very slightly harder to turn the steering wheel to the right. However, it's almost imperceptible, and I have no experimental data to prove I'm not imagining it. It's certainly good enough on this old car.
I can't guarantee it's a fix for every FIT with this problem, but if you have access to an HDS or don't mind getting fleeced at a dealership, I say give it a try.
Although I never got around to installing the diagnostic system on my PC, I did ask the dealer to perform the "torque sensor neutral position" calibration the last time I had the car at their shop (for the driveshaft recall) a few months ago. I even provided a photocopy of the page from my shop manual in case the tech was unfamiliar with the procedure. They charged me for an hour's labor, which is such BS, but, hey, life goes on.
The bottom line is, amazingly, that it worked! Sort of. I was surprised because I was expecting some EPS component(s) would have to be replaced. (I even had a used EPS control unit -- the part that goes under the dash -- I sourced on eBay at the ready in case the diagnosis called for its replacement... not that the dealer would have put it in, but I could have, easily.)
I say "sort of" because, although the drift to the left at slow speeds and the self-turning of the wheels to the left when the front of the car is lifted and engine started is now completely gone, I still feel it's very slightly harder to turn the steering wheel to the right. However, it's almost imperceptible, and I have no experimental data to prove I'm not imagining it. It's certainly good enough on this old car.
I can't guarantee it's a fix for every FIT with this problem, but if you have access to an HDS or don't mind getting fleeced at a dealership, I say give it a try.
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