Steering Reducer

[Erik Irvine]

I did a search, but could not find any information on steering reduction options.

I have a charlynn unit on my bug, and it seems really twitchy. This is the first off-road car I have owned with power steering so maybe it just takes some getting used to.

I drove it a couple miles on the road yesterday and everytime I came up to a turn, I had troubles keeping it where I wanted it to go. I would think I am probably doing that in the dirt as well, it's just harder to notice.

Does someone sell something I can use to slow the steering down? A buddy suggested a steering stabiliazer (like the FOX one), I may try that or maybe a bigger steering wheel?

[bajavwracer]

is it on a Box or a rack n' Pinion?

[DailyPedal]

I think what you are experiencing is normal for an off-road specific car with extended trailing arms and preloaded suspension. If it was mine, I would look into front and rear end alignment and spring rates. Is the car sitting up on the stops (will be twitchy on pavement) or is there sag? At ride height, is the front end neutral, towed out (less tw itch)or in (more twitch)? What size of steering wheel do you use? Larger wheel might help but look into everything else first.

[Kritter]

whats the toe and caster? I would start there since its free.

A quick steer in reverse would slow the steering down for a couple hundred bucks.

Steering damper wont help your situation.

[Erik Irvine]

Rack & Pinion

Yeah the front end is set up stiff, and I wouldn't be suprised if it has zero down travel while driving on a flat road. I will check the toe for sure. The steering wheel is standard size. Thanks for the help guys!

[johnowhite]

If it's toe'd in too much it's twitchy.....If you steer one direction or you leaving a front wheel patch on one or both sides?

With the wheels straight, measure the distance between the front and rear of the rims. Another way may be to put a straight edge on the rims/tires, level with the ground at axel height. If the fronts are closer than the backs, you are toe'd in.

I read an article that said you want a little toe out, to kind of act a little like a differential. The outside front wheel on a turn has a bigger arc than the inside, so it said, the inside wheel should be turned a little sharper. Toe-in on the front wheels goes against this and could make the car twitchy, it did mine.

You do not notice it as much in the dirt because it slides.

My 2cents, hope it helps.

John

[Kbach66]

I did a search, but could not find any information on steering reduction options.

I have a charlynn unit on my bug, and it seems really twitchy. This is the first off-road car I have owned with power steering so maybe it just takes some getting used to.

I drove it a couple miles on the road yesterday and everytime I came up to a turn, I had troubles keeping it where I wanted it to go. I would think I am probably doing that in the dirt as well, it's just harder to notice.

Does someone sell something I can use to slow the steering down? A buddy suggested a steering stabiliazer (like the FOX one), I may try that or maybe a bigger steering wheel?

That's just the nature of the charlynn power steering system. Once you get it in the dirt, it will calm down some, but on the street it can be a handfull. A reveresed steering quickener might help a little, but you're still going to have the same basic feel.

I've driven my tatum with charlynn power steering around the block a couple times and it seems like I was about to hit parked cars before I got used to it.

Another issue that you need to get used to on the street is the lack of self centering. You always need to correct the steering at lower speeds.