Steering Issue

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echo_mike
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:35 am
Location: Australia

Hi guys,

I'm experiencing steering issues where the resistance on center is uneven, the steering feels heavier than I expect throughout however making minor adjustments in either direction from center feels almost no weight to the steering wheel for the initial couple of degrees of turn, then the weight gets more progressive as expected. The steering still feels a bit heavier as if the power assist is limited (or from what I'm use to as this isn't the car I drive often).

Additionally the steering feels like its sticking when returning to center from a turn, as in, its almost notchy. It almost feels like the power assist is only half-working or steering rack sticking. I checked the steering response on the front wheels and they turn in either direction immediately even with very small movements, however the steering weight is weird during the drive. Alignment and suspension components all seem ok, tires are new (Michelin PS4s); the car has only done 60,000km (36,000 miles); owned since new.

Has anyone experience this? Does this mean my steering rack is on its way out? Or the electric steering motor is failing?

If so, can this items be bought separately as the entire unit is $3,000 USD and that's just ridiculous. Can they be re-manufactured locally? Many thanks

Emilio
2010 Suzuki Kizashi XL
2015 Audi S3 Sedan
old tech
Posts: 705
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:51 pm
Location: n/w pennsysvania

I have seen a few rack failures. It is not very common for them to fail and can show its self a few different ways. The first one I encountered was way to tight like the drag inside the rack had been cranked up and was very tiring to drive as you had to correct the steering constantly. It was a 2010 with 45k miles at the time approx. I did not tear it down to actually find the fault but I suspected it was corrosion that had crept inside as we live in a high humidity and high salt use area. Also , the rack was extremely cheap used and plenty out there . In my area. I can buy a complete rack asm for only $50 USD . The second one I saw had to much free play and rattle in steering and felt unsafe to drive. I suspected rust infiltration on that one to only it had run long enough to wipe out bottom bearing of steering shaft. If you dont have access to a used one, Id be happy to get one sent to you but shipping would probably triple costs and may have to leave off the inner and outer tierod ends to make that happen.
echo_mike
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:35 am
Location: Australia

old tech wrote:I have seen a few rack failures. It is not very common for them to fail and can show its self a few different ways. The first one I encountered was way to tight like the drag inside the rack had been cranked up and was very tiring to drive as you had to correct the steering constantly. It was a 2010 with 45k miles at the time approx. I did not tear it down to actually find the fault but I suspected it was corrosion that had crept inside as we live in a high humidity and high salt use area. Also , the rack was extremely cheap used and plenty out there . In my area. I can buy a complete rack asm for only $50 USD . The second one I saw had to much free play and rattle in steering and felt unsafe to drive. I suspected rust infiltration on that one to only it had run long enough to wipe out bottom bearing of steering shaft. If you dont have access to a used one, Id be happy to get one sent to you but shipping would probably triple costs and may have to leave off the inner and outer tierod ends to make that happen.
Thanks for the reply. I might have to take you up on your offer as I can't seem to find any here in Australia. Is it the same part number for both left-hand and right-hand drive?

I'm going to book an inspection within the next few days at steering specialist to diagnose the issue. Will update the outcome. Cheers
2010 Suzuki Kizashi XL
2015 Audi S3 Sedan
old tech
Posts: 705
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:51 pm
Location: n/w pennsysvania

I didnt give right or left hand drive a thought. That would throw a monkey wrench into the works. I would not have access to right hand drive and as an assembly, it certainly would be a different part.
echo_mike
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:35 am
Location: Australia

Yeah I thought the different part number might be a problem. Any ideas where I can find part numbers for right-hand drive?

I had a look at (https://partsouq.com/en/catalog) and can only get one part number 48580-57L50. Is this only for left-hand drive?

Also I guess if the electric motor is faulty, then maybe I can use the one from left-hand drive as I'm guessing the internals would be the same...??
2010 Suzuki Kizashi XL
2015 Audi S3 Sedan
echo_mike
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:35 am
Location: Australia

Update!

Last week I took the Kizashi to an independent steering/suspension mechanic and have been told that the steering rack is all good, but the Power Steering Module is not working as it should, it's reading the wheel speed and steering angle however it's for some reason not reacting. They told me that I need to take it to the Suzuki dealer for software update or Module replacement.

Fast forward to today, I took it to the local Suzuki Dealer and have been advised that they've checked everything, ran all diagnostics and there is nothing wrong with the steering (no fault codes, the rack is good, all mechanical's are good).

I don't know if I'm going crazy but I know it doesn't feel right. I normally drive with the steering wheel pulled all the way out (short arms, long legs lol), so on my way back home I pushed the steering wheel further in and I think I feel the difference, as in the steering feels better on center and in turn (I hope it's not just in my head). Is it possible that if the steering wheel is adjusted in all the way out position, it could mess with the power steering?

(Side note: I know my Audi does something weird when the steering wheel is pulled all the way out, it's favoring left side, as in, the wheel is 1 to 2 degrees to the left when going straight. As soon as the steering wheel position is pushed few millimetres in, it straightens out and it's all good. Is something like this possible with the Kizashi?)

Cheers
2010 Suzuki Kizashi XL
2015 Audi S3 Sedan
User avatar
Spreekid
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:15 am

echo_mike wrote:Update!

Last week I took the Kizashi to an independent steering/suspension mechanic and have been told that the steering rack is all good, but the Power Steering Module is not working as it should, it's reading the wheel speed and steering angle however it's for some reason not reacting. They told me that I need to take it to the Suzuki dealer for software update or Module replacement.

Fast forward to today, I took it to the local Suzuki Dealer and have been advised that they've checked everything, ran all diagnostics and there is nothing wrong with the steering (no fault codes, the rack is good, all mechanical's are good).

I don't know if I'm going crazy but I know it doesn't feel right. I normally drive with the steering wheel pulled all the way out (short arms, long legs lol), so on my way back home I pushed the steering wheel further in and I think I feel the difference, as in the steering feels better on center and in turn (I hope it's not just in my head). Is it possible that if the steering wheel is adjusted in all the way out position, it could mess with the power steering?

(Side note: I know my Audi does something weird when the steering wheel is pulled all the way out, it's favoring left side, as in, the wheel is 1 to 2 degrees to the left when going straight. As soon as the steering wheel position is pushed few millimetres in, it straightens out and it's all good. Is something like this possible with the Kizashi?)

Cheers
I’m not a mechanic or anything but it sounds very possible. Especially since you experienced a similar problem on another car, and were able to fix it. Have you tried moving the wheel up and down also instead of just in/out? Maybe you have to find the right wheel position?
echo_mike
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:35 am
Location: Australia

Yeah I've been driving it a bit more with the steering wheel repositioned further toward the dashboard, I think it definitely feels better, still not 100% when returning to center from a turn but much better on center than before.

It's hard to explain, but it feels like the steering pulls hard toward center, then when in center it feels like there's almost no resistance to turn in either direction for the first couple of degrees then it progressively gets more resistance as expected. This is mostly prominent when the road is perfectly level and without any camber. Also this happens on performance Michelin's at the front as well as Yokohamas (relocated to rears).

The toe is set to factory specification however I never noticed anything prior to getting wheel alignment done the first time (wheel alignment has been redone again by a different shop to factory specs and still felt the same).

Should I look into changing factory toe settings to more/less aggressive setting?

Cheers
2010 Suzuki Kizashi XL
2015 Audi S3 Sedan
echo_mike
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:35 am
Location: Australia

Hi guys,

I still got issues with the steering and it's driving me crazy; I'm considering replacing the Steering Control Module. Does anyone know if I the used one can be installed and have the dealer reprogram it? Or do I have to buy a new one?

Cheers
2010 Suzuki Kizashi XL
2015 Audi S3 Sedan
old tech
Posts: 705
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:51 pm
Location: n/w pennsysvania

I’m not sure if anyone can be 100% positive on answering your question because the system doesn’t seem to have many problems . I would think that you could use a used one without any problem . If you have access to more left hand drive units, they probably are the same but should check the part numbers to be sure of it. This control module seems to clear its codes when shutting the key off and back on so I don’t think you’ll have any programming needs. With all that said, my gut tells me that your problem isn’t in the control module . These kind of problems are frustrating and sometimes hard to find. The best way to come up with a diagnosis is to compare it with another vehicle. That’s a whole lot easier said than done whenever it’s a rare car I know. But if you did , I would start with test driving another one and seeing if that one is driving like you would expect . Then swapping all four wheels off of the trouble free one. Next checking the drag on the steering with the vehicle raised turning left to right comparing each of the vehicles. Then disconnecting each steering knuckle at the outer tire rod comparing the steering knuckle drag and then again checking the drag on the steering rack for each vehicle. On the steering rack itself there are two adjustments one is for the bar drag and the other is used as the bearing stop at the base of the steering shaft. The access to these is terrible but should never need any adjustments but the bearing stop one , I have seen come loose and start feeling a rattle . I would have expected it to be lock-tited but it sure wasn’t on that one at least. I wished I had some right hand drive ones but I’ve never even seen one physically. On the control module , I have 4 known good ones off of left hand drive Kizashi’s. $20 plus shipping if you want to try that if part numbers match.


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