Steering Heavier Than Usual

[Markjp]

The steering on my 2019 718 Base Cayman has in the last week got noticeably heavier. It is consistently heavier at all speeds. The handling seems fine. I think there is a slight sluggishness for the steering to self centre, but not 100% on this.


i am on holiday in the Yorkshire Dales at the moment, but when I return I will book my car into my local OPC.

In the meantime does anyone have any ideas what might be the cause or experienced anything similar? Would a wheel alignment issue cause this kind of consistent weighting up of the steering, or could it be a power steering fault or maybe something else?

For info the car has covered 11k miles and the tyre pressures are fine.

Mark

 

[Motorhead]

Mark,

I would think it more likely to be an EPAS fault than being suspension related unless there’s some significant failure there. I think you should get the car inspected ASAP, especially since this is a safety-related issue.

Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

Mark,

Just to add that castor will affect steering centring and 'weight', but since that's built into the suspension geometry [i.e. non-adjustable] I can't see that happening. If your tyre pressures are correct and nothing appears to be loose I think you're going to need to get the EPAS checked via PIWIS or similar diagnostics. Your car's under the factory warranty, so have you thought about calling Porsche Assistance for advice? It's what they're there for.

Jeff

 

[GordonT]

Hi Mark,

Failing that, you could try giving Porsche Teesside a bell and see if they have time to have a look at it for you. 01642 939439 (and if not, try asking for a chat with Tim to see if he's got any ideas)

Gordon.

 

[mr pg]

Does your car have power steering plus optioned? Maybe be another avenue to persue.

 

[Markjp]

I will give my OPC back in West Sussex a call in the morning. As you say it’s a safety issue and I don’t want the EPAS failing completely.

thanks,

Mark

 

[Markjp]

Managed to get home ok over the weekend. Steering has stayed consistently heavier than normal, but no other issues.

My Cayman is booked into my local OPC this Friday.

Will feedback how I get on.

Mark

 

[Markjp]

After my Cayman being at my OPC for two days they were unable to find any faults.

They also let me have a drive of a Cayman S on 20" wheels, mine being 19". They did feel similar, although I did feel my car's steering was slightly heavier, however I only drove the S on 30/40 mph roads. On the way home and driving on a dual carriageway at 70mph I definitely felt the steering was overly heavy.

The service advisor said he would give me a call in a week to see how things were, but I've not had a call yet.

I did ask about potentially having a four wheel alignment check and I was told they didn't think it was necessary. The service advisor also said I might be disappointed with the results of any potential adjustments as the steering is not pulling to one side or the other and the steering wheel is straight. If I wanted it done I would have to pay for it. I haven't had a response to my email yet requesting how much this would be.

Is it possible that wheel alignment issues could make the steering feel heavier, but not be pulling to one side or the other and the steering wheel being straight?

 

[DWaldie]

Can't comment on your steering geometry but can confirm that the steering is heavy on my 981s on 20s. It's almost like it has no assistance. I have to say I like it that way. Are you sure there is a fault with it. Not sure where you are, but why not reach out to a local driver and ask his/her opinion. You're going to have to trust them as you can't share a car I'm much of England now

 

[Motorhead]

Mark,

Since your Centre has had the car for two days that’s plenty of time to checkout the steering and suspension - steering rack and EPAS controller, suspension bushes, wheel bearings, etc. - so presumably there’s nothing amiss in that respect. Rather disappointing that they haven’t done even a basic front geometry check which would have confirmed that it’s within spec. If they want to charge you for a geometry check I’d be inclined to look elsewhere: Parr are in your area. They’re a very reputable Porsche Independent with a lot of motorsport experience and may be able to supply another opinion on your problem.

The overall handling of a car - oversteer, understeer, turn-in, etc. - is very sensitive to the geometry setup but I wouldn’t expect it to contribute to the sudden increase in steering weight you describe unless a steering/suspension component has failed which should have been picked up by the Centre.

My understanding from your first post is that the problem occurred rather suddenly, so you’d have to suspect either a mechanical or electromechanical event; maybe the steering rack itself or the EPAS controller? Your car is still under the factory warranty and I would keep up the pressure on your Centre to resolve the problem to your satisfaction at their expense.

Jeff

 

[JohnCRS]

I think that if your steering geometry was far enough out to make a noticeable difference to steering weight, you would see evidence in your tyre wear.

If there was no event such as hitting a pothole then, together with the inspection that has been done, you can be confident that steering integrity is OK.

So, the logical next step is to do a proper comparison with another car, similar to your own, to verify the extent of the problem. Do you know any PCGB members in your region, or perhaps an independent Porsche specialist who would give yo an opinion?

 

[Markjp]

Mark,

Since your Centre has had the car for two days that’s plenty of time to checkout the steering and suspension - steering rack and EPAS controller, suspension bushes, wheel bearings, etc. - so presumably there’s nothing amiss in that respect. Rather disappointing that they haven’t done even a basic front geometry check which would have confirmed that it’s within spec. If they want to charge you for a geometry check I’d be inclined to look elsewhere: Parr are in your area. They’re a very reputable Porsche Independent with a lot of motorsport experience and may be able to supply another opinion on your problem.

The overall handling of a car - oversteer, understeer, turn-in, etc. - is very sensitive to the geometry setup but I wouldn’t expect it to contribute to the sudden increase in steering weight you describe unless a steering/suspension component has failed which should have been picked up by the Centre.

My understanding from your first post is that the problem occurred rather suddenly, so you’d have to suspect either a mechanical or electromechanical event; maybe the steering rack itself or the EPAS controller? Your car is still under the factory warranty and I would keep up the pressure on your Centre to resolve the problem to your satisfaction at their expense.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff for the suggestion of Parr in Crawley. I gave them a call this afternoon to find out how much a Geometry check was. I was shocked at the cost quoted of £300 for a full check/adjustment or £120 for a check only. Mind you they did say the check and adjust takes three hours. Do these prices seem reasonable for a Porsche? I am used to using a Tyre specialist and paying £40-£50.

I am also going to phone my OPC tomorrow as they said they would follow up with me after a week and I haven't heard anything.

Mark

 

[AndrewCS]

I pay ~ £120 for a full check and adjust using the well respected Hunter system … at an excellent tyre specialist - 150 mile round trip.

 

[Markjp]

I think that if your steering geometry was far enough out to make a noticeable difference to steering weight, you would see evidence in your tyre wear.

If there was no event such as hitting a pothole then, together with the inspection that has been done, you can be confident that steering integrity is OK.

So, the logical next step is to do a proper comparison with another car, similar to your own, to verify the extent of the problem. Do you know any PCGB members in your region, or perhaps an independent Porsche specialist who would give yo an opinion?

Unfortunately I don't know any PCGB members in my area. I had attended two Cayman register meets at the end of 2019, but obviously very little has happened since then.

If I decide to take my car to Parr's in Crawley for a Geometry check I could ask them for an opinion.

My Cayman had a complimentary health check when at my OPC and the tyre wear at 12k miles was as follows:-

Does this seem a normal wear pattern?

My OPC said there was nothing unusual about the wear to indicate any problem.

Mark

 

[Motorhead]

Mark,

I think Parr’s price for a full geometry check and adjustment is probably about right considering the time involved, and I’m sure that your Porsche Centre will be quoting something similar. Remember that this will be a 4-wheel alignment for camber, castor and toe-in and not just a front toe-in adjustment offered by most tyre factors. Of course all you need at the moment is a front end geometry check for camber, castor and toe-in - and adjustment if necessary - to confirm that all is well, or otherwise, so if your local tyre specialist can do that for you that would keep the cost down. Incidentally, I can recommend a full geometry check - it can transform the car’s handling if you’re running on the original factory setup which is rather hit-and-miss.

Unfortunately the image you posted is corrupted so I can’t comment on the wear pattern, but if the Centre has said that it’s OK then you have to assume that nothing’s amiss and that wear is fairly even across the tread. Incorrect camber and toe-in will cause excessive wear at the tread edges.

I may be completely wrong but from your description my sense is that the problem lies with steering system itself, but if your Centre has given it the all-clear you have to take their word for it and pursue other avenues.

Jeff

 

[Markjp]

I pay ~ £120 for a full check and adjust using the well respected Hunter system … at an excellent tyre specialist - 150 mile round trip.

Shame we are at opposite ends of the UK. I would happily travel 150 miles to pay £120 at a reputable tyre specialist.

 

[Motorhead]

The front tyre wear looks pretty even to me Mark, and nothing to indicate a problem there.

Unfortunately you’re in a cleft stick at the moment: the Centre says there’s nothing wrong mechanically with the front suspension and steering and the front tread wear looks as though the front geometry is OK, so it’s difficult to know how to progress your complaint.

One thing that struck me after making my previous comments was that if you were to get the Centre to do a geometry check and a problem is found you’d have a good case for not having to pay for it.

Although I can’t see it being relevant from your description of the problem but a previous poster has asked if your car has the Power Steering Plus option which provides additional assistance at parking speeds? It’s just a software option, but you have to wonder if somehow it could go ‘rogue’. However, if there is a problem you’d have to expect to see some error codes during any diagnostic check which the Centre should have carried out.

Jeff

 

[AndrewCS]

The rear wear looks `odd` to me, more wear on the outside is contrary to my experience / expectations

Not that it has `owt to do with your concerns at the front ?

 

[mr pg]

That was my thought too. Very unusal to have more outer wear, and well worth getting checked imo.

 

[AndrewT]

Mark,

The wheel alignment centre (https://www.facebook.com/The-Wheel-Alignment-Centre-396151377064652/) in Southampton gets a lot of praise on Pistonheads. I’ve taken my Cayman there, and a Ford Fiesta, the owner operator is very fair and charges only for the adjustments he makes - in fact when I took the Fiesta in he didn’t charge for the initial diagnosis as once on the lift he identified a bent suspension arm. Both times I’ve only paid about £50 as few adjustments were necessary. He only does wheel alignments so will not try to sell you other services.