Power steering.....

[kam-325i]

Is there any way of making the power steering less "Powered".

Mine works ok, but it seems that when driving at 70 -80Mph, the steering is just a tad to light......

Would a slightly larger pulley (on the pump) help out ?

[Simon]

No idea about the pulley, but you could leave all the air out of your tyres as a temp measure!?

Joking aside, are the tyre pressures OK?

[kam-325i]

Tyre pressures are ok, 30Psi 205/55/16.

Even when stationary, the steering is light, i would not mind losing a bit of the help.

[bottlecapE30]

the only ways i can think of are 1) remove the belt from the power steering pump 2) go to a wider wheel/ tire in the front
I don't think there is much else you can do..... unless someone knows of a lower pressure pump that will bolt up?

[DanThe]

You can get 'underdriven' pullies, these are a smaller diameter which means the pump will be turning less, but I doubt it will have any effect on the steering

[SCOTT325SE]

Off topic - BottlecapE30, what part of Rochester are you from and how old are you? Im wondering if you'd know my buddy Kevin Olsen (Drives a Jeep & rides a Weyless)

[SCOTT325SE]

ON topic.... Kam, are you sure your tyres are 205/55/16 ?
They should be 15s if you have that size tyre.

[Brianmoooore]

Steering effort doesn't vary with engine revs, so a larger pulley wouldn't effect the assistance, except possibly at very low revs, if the pressure then falls below normal.
Isn't there a pressure limiting valve somewhere that could be modified?

[stuartgallafant]

these are a smaller diameter which means the pump will be turning less

a smaller diameter pulley would make the pump turn faster. a larger diameter pulley would create less revolutions. try to relate it to the gears on a mountain bike...

we had an E46 M3 in at work, which the customer wanted the power steering, water pump and i think alternator pulleys changed for larger ones, as "it puts less strain on the engine, meaning you lose less power!" apparently its a mod sold by CA Automotive, but whether it actually works or not im not sure. However, saying that, the steering did have a slightly different feel to it...

[DanThe]

[stuartgallafant]

lol!! its an easy mistake to make though DanThe!! its like one of those trick questions people ask you, you just automatically think somehting and convince yourslef its right! it took me a few goes to believe what other people were telling me!!

[DanThe]

Underdriven pully= BIGGER

[bottlecapE30]

Off topic - BottlecapE30, what part of Rochester are you from and how old are you? Im wondering if you'd know my buddy Kevin Olsen (Drives a Jeep & rides a Weyless)

I'm just south east of the city limit near Penfield i'm 23. Don't think i Know Kevin Olsen but i do meet a lot of people and I'm bad with names

[SCOTT325SE]

no probs mate, was worth a shot from 6000 miles away. lol

[Simon13]

i've found 16 inch wheels give more weight to the steering. Try it with 14's now that is light!

[bottlecapE30]

Does this add weight to the steering because they are wider or is it because they are heavier (unsprung weight)? I ask only because the total diamiter including tire should still be simmiar