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V1 jpr's City Goblin - 07/08 LT donor
jpr
Well-Known Member
- jpr Well-Known Member
After a few friends drove it at a recent autocross practice event and complained about the slow steering, I decided to get off my butt and do some research.
Turns out... the Sport Suspension steering racks (FE3, FE5) have a quicker ratio than the Soft Suspension steering racks. 2.9 vs. 3.5 turns lock to lock. Since this is an LT donor, I ordered a used FE3/5 rack off eBay for about $160 shipped. Haven't put too many miles on it yet, and the next practice isn't for a few weeks (doing competition events in a different car this year), but subjectively it feels much quicker to turn - and the wheels no longer rub on the control arms at full lock.
Turns out... the Sport Suspension steering racks (FE3, FE5) have a quicker ratio than the Soft Suspension steering racks. 2.9 vs. 3.5 turns lock to lock. Since this is an LT donor, I ordered a used FE3/5 rack off eBay for about $160 shipped. Haven't put too many miles on it yet, and the next practice isn't for a few weeks (doing competition events in a different car this year), but subjectively it feels much quicker to turn - and the wheels no longer rub on the control arms at full lock.
DCMoney
Goblin Guru
- DCMoney Goblin Guru
When I added a 1.5:1 to my SXS for spirited, tight wooded trails, it took all of 5 minutes to get use to the quicker steering. Then it was second nature. Know it's a completely different machine but my point is you'll get use to it and it won't be that big of a deal. You should 100% add one!
I'd love to add one to mine, I just don't want to get rid of my power steering just yet. And I'm not sure if there's enough room to fit one in with the EPS installed.
Rauq
Goblin Guru
- Rauq Goblin Guru
Are you sure the rack is actually faster? According to Lonny, the SS (FE5, right?) has 1" less travel overall (basically a rack limitation due to wider tire clearances?). He didn't make it out to sound like the SS rack steers any faster, just that it runs out of travel faster. If you could confirm it's actually a faster ratio, that'd be pretty cool though.
Desert Sasqwatch
Bigfoot Goblin
- Desert Sasqwatch Bigfoot Goblin
Lonny, can you also check the Saturn Vue ratio for those of us contemplating using this steering box also, please?
- Lonny Administrator
I centered two steering racks and measured both of them.
An SS and a base model.
I then moved them to 90 degrees and measured them.
Base @ 0 degrees 1.080"
Base @ 90 degrees 1.550"
SS @ 0 degrees 1.070"
SS @ 90 degrees 1.540"
They both moved .470" from center up to 90 degrees
An SS and a base model.
I then moved them to 90 degrees and measured them.
Base @ 0 degrees 1.080"
Base @ 90 degrees 1.550"
SS @ 0 degrees 1.070"
SS @ 90 degrees 1.540"
They both moved .470" from center up to 90 degrees
- Lonny Administrator
Both Cobalt and Saturn Vue power steering units are all 1:1 from input to output. When using a Saturn Vue EPS unit you will still use a Cobalt steering rack.
I do not know if a Saturn Vue steering rack is the same dimensionally as a Cobalt rack so I am not sure it would bolt into our kit.
I have used a Saturn Vue EPS unit and it is a direct bolt up but will need an aftermarket controller to make it work.
Rauq
Goblin Guru
- Rauq Goblin Guru
Cobalt rack:
Vue rack:
@Desert Sasqwatch you're welcome to pick up a Vue rack and see if it's got a different ratio. Not 100% sure it would bolt up anyway.
Vue rack:
@Desert Sasqwatch you're welcome to pick up a Vue rack and see if it's got a different ratio. Not 100% sure it would bolt up anyway.
Ross
Goblin Professor
- Ross Goblin Professor
You can make your current steering rack have quicker steering by moving the steering arms in the direction of the black arrows.
If you drill a new hole in the steering arm, and one in the upright, at the locations shown, you will be able to move the steering arm ball joint over, and have quicker steering.
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Torchandregdoc
Goblin Guru
- Torchandregdoc Goblin Guru
I am dealing with this right now as well. I really like the quick steering in the tight corners below 45mph, but at 80, it's almost to responsive and at 110, it is definitely to responsive. I used to have a death grip on the wheel because I thought it had bump steer on the freeway, but just yesterday, I figured out its all me. If you move the steering wheel at all, on the freeway at 80mph, it goes from one side of the lane to the other. At 100, it's way worse, but if you just loosely touch the wheel, it drives straight as an arrow, even in the bumps.
I'm wondering if the HHR has a lower ratio.
Desert Sasqwatch
Bigfoot Goblin
- Desert Sasqwatch Bigfoot Goblin
I bought one already and plan to modify the Goblin mounts to make it fit - as soon as I am settled into my new house. I'm ordering the controller box soon - one that has a GPS speed sensor to automatically vary the steering effort, but won't be able to test this out for a while.
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