Imprecise steering

[Swoope]

Thanks Nitro. I'm don't really know what 16:1 ratio means, but are you saying that it probably can't be fixed via a software update even if the software engineers at Ford wanted to do it?
Would an aftermarket third party fix be possible?


This is just so depressing to me and I'd like to ventilate a bit...

How come the steering has become a problem in recent years?

I've had a lot of different cars in the last 25 years and I don't recall ever disliking the steering in any old cars. It however seems like car manufacturers have started to mess up the steering in the last 10 years or so. Why?

It could potentially be that I just remember wrong, but I do believe the steering has become less direct on many newer cars. Why would anyone want to have imprecise steering?

Just to give an example... One car I almost bought a few years ago was an Audi S4. I really liked it, but the steering just felt imprecise and artificial so we ended up with a Infiniti G37S instead. This just seems to get worse, and many new cars just seems to be so flimsy that it's dangerous if you end up in a situation where you need to perform an evasive action.

what are your tire pressures?

and what are the tires and size?

beers

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[HalfMoon]

Improved suspension and setting toe-in helped my car's steering and straight-ahead stability a LOT. The steering ratio makes for fairly slow steering, but one can use the additional range to their advantage to fine-tune cornering execution mid-turn, given that you have the much-needed tweaks (to even the PP) suspension.

I'm getting my alignment done this week now that my springs have had plenty of time to settle. I hope it helps some.

To me the steering just feels "light". Too light. Even in "Sport" mode the steering feels lighter and less connected than my C7 does in it's lightest mode. In my C7 with default settings when in Eco, Weather, Tour, Sport and Track modes the car feels like it's reducing the amount of assist that is given as you move to the more aggressive modes. I personally don't care for the lighter modes so I setup the override to always feel like Track mode which has a more progressive feeling. I wish I could do this in the Mustang.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

I personally don't care for the lighter modes so I setup the override to always feel like Track mode which has a more progressive feeling. I wish I could do this in the Mustang.

I hope tunes can address this. In my 03 Cobra, my tune defaulted traction control to off. Never had to touch the button again

 

[OppoLock]

I'm getting my alignment done this week now that my springs have had plenty of time to settle. I hope it helps some.

To me the steering just feels "light". Too light. Even in "Sport" mode the steering feels lighter and less connected than my C7 does in it's lightest mode. In my C7 with default settings when in Tour, Sport and Track modes the car feels like it's reducing the amount of assist that is given. I personally don't care for the lighter modes so I setup the override to always feel like Track mode. I wish I could do this in the Mustang.

Going back and forth between my 335i and the GT provides a good frame of reference. I've noticed that there's plenty of weight in the GT's steering while in sport mode, but it's just really artificial and the resistance doesn't change as it should depending on things like speed and cornering forces. You get that typical EPS rubber band resistance. I consider it good (maybe even great) for an EPS rack, because you still get some idea of what's going on with the front end, but it still has that slightly vague off-center feel that needs minor corrections where you would think shouldn't be necessary.

TL;DR
The weighting preset ranges are good.
The accuracy is good.
Dynamic weighting is average.
Off-center characteristics are average.
Ratio could use some shortening.

 

[EcoSnake]

V8 + convertible + non pp. You killed most your steering feedback with your trim selection. Having the lighter ecoboost motor over the front axle, and on sportlines. It's nearly identical to the frs I traded in, and the frs is known for Porsche like feedbacks. I'm super impressed with the handling and steering feedback of this car. Never expected it to be anything like a refined sports car.

 

[Danger]

I traded my Camaro SS 2013 for a GT with performance package. Yes the Camaro did not have the 1LE package but the difference in steering, braking and handling was like night and day. I have been driving on a road with lots of twist and dips for the past three weekends pushing the car a bit and it feels great. I feel like I finally have a responsive well built car. The Camaro felt heavy and made me nervous when maneuvering around obstacles at a fast pace. I have drove the Camaro from Chicago to KY and back about 6 times. When I drove the Mustang to KY I could right away tell the difference on the highway. Remember I was that Chevy guy who never thought in a million years that I would be driving a Mustang. Once I seen the car in person, studied the features and drove it, it became a no brainer.

 

[Tom]

The ratio is fixed. It is gears in the rack, so that cannot be changed by a setting in the car. The comfort and sport settings are just how much the rack assists (your weeny little arms) in turning the wheel.

I think you are out of line with that "WEENY LITTLE ARMS" remark.
We don't need those kind of comments here. The OP had a question about his /Her steering, and had concerns about it. And He/She wanted to know if anyone else might have any comments on whether the steering felt different between the Mustang models. We are all here to learn. :tsk:

 

[Impulsed7]

I knew someone would take offense to that. K, then delete the power assist. You will get better feel, better on center, better feedback, and bigger muscles.

But as it has been said, he either has a problem with the car, or his options killed is steering feel.

 

[Tom]

LOL :cheers:

 

[dgc333]

I have an EB with PP and I like the steering much better than what was in the Focus ST. The ratio in the ST was so fast that if you were not careful and sneezed you could be across three lanes of traffic before you knew it. That may be good for autocross but it's not for a daily driver.

I find the Mustangs steering to be precise with good feel and it is not touchy.

 

[Grimace427]

Things to check would be tire pressures and alignment. If the front tires are under inflated and/or toe-in that could yield a very numb steering feel.

 

[EcoSnake]

But as it has been said, he either has a problem with the car, or his options killed is steering feel.

It just the combination of factory options. Going to need less weight up front and some suspension upgrades/reinforcement. The convertible v8 is going to softest and heaviest version of the S550. Probably the least balanced also.

 

[nutte]

what are your tire pressures?

and what are the tires and size?

beers

I've the 20" wheels that Ford offers, which comes with Pirelli P-Zero 265/35 ZR20 tires.
Tire pressure is 38 psi.

I can see how this can somewhat affect steering, but not really in the way I'm talking about. I basically just don't want to turn the steering wheel as much, i.e. instead of having to turn it 10 degree, I just want to have to turn it 5.

 

[nutte]

Not sure what you're talking about.... mine has very quick and responsive steering. Flimsy doesn't seem like a word that would be used to describe steering, that makes it sound like it may break at any second.

You're probably right. English isn't my first language, so I might have used "flimsy" in an incorrect way. I know I sometimes get it wrong when trying to describe details, which is why I typically word it in a few different ways.

 

[nutte]

V8 + convertible + non pp. You killed most your steering feedback with your trim selection. Having the lighter ecoboost motor over the front axle, and on sportlines. It's nearly identical to the frs I traded in, and the frs is known for Porsche like feedbacks. I'm super impressed with the handling and steering feedback of this car. Never expected it to be anything like a refined sports car.

Have you driven the GT?
Would you say it has the same steering feel as your EB?

Like I mentioned in my initial post, I experienced the exact same steering feel in the GT with PP, so I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with convertible and lack of Performance Package.

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