Steering effort

daka · 09:51 AM

A few years ago I had to sell my 87 911 because due to some unfortunate incidents I could no longer turn the wheel with my left arm while using my right to shift.
Has the steering effort on later cars gotten easier...before I even think about looking for one.

KFC911 · 11-09-2007, 09:54 AM

I don't mean to sound like a "smarta$$", but could you simply alter your driving style if you desire an older 911 (or if the newer ones are also "harder" as I sure someone will chime in). In other words, I always have both hands on the wheel when turning as I've already completed the downshift before beginning the turn. That's just the way I've always done it...

legion · 11-09-2007, 09:55 AM

You might consider a Tip too...then you don't have to leave the steering to your left arm.

My local PCA has a member that had polio as a kid and doesn't have full use of his left leg. He can drive a Tip like a maniac.

rammstein · 11-09-2007, 10:01 AM

Speaking of that, I went to a DE a few years back where there was a dude in a wheelchair driving an S4 with hand controls. Frickin awesome!

daka · 11-09-2007, 10:11 AM

Sure, shifting in advance is fine..but in traffic, or manuevering what then...
Tip may be the way to go but, I thought "maybe" Porsche has done [I]something[I] about the effort...

KFC911 · 11-09-2007, 10:20 AM

Just trying to think "outside the circle"

for you. I always have both hands on the wheel when turning even in traffic & maneuvering. I bet you could too if you modified your driving style just a bit. Good luck!

ps: Did your old car have a stock steering wheel? My Momo is a bit smaller diameter, and that does increase the effort but I like that.

rammstein · 11-09-2007, 10:21 AM

Try an RX8 out- steering is great but not super heavy. I miss mine greatly.

Superman · 11-09-2007, 10:59 AM

4" wheels with 185 tires aired to 45 psi would lighten the steering feel. Yeah, I'm a smartass.

Steve PH · 11-09-2007, 11:09 AM

Get a right hand drive 911?!

Sorry, just kidding. I assume that a 1987 Carrera has a manual rack? Pretty sure power assist became the norm on 964 models (RS excluded) and every 911 ever since, so that should help.

Also thinking along the lines of KC911 technique is everything, strictly speaking you are supposed to have two hands on the wheel unless changing gear, have a look at a Police driving manual. Over here in the UK a book called "road craft" is seen as a very good basis for advanced road driving and covers everything from driving techniques to high speed pursuit (though you probably don't need the later!). I guess that there should be a US equivalent?

Superman · 11-09-2007, 11:30 AM

US drivers don't give a rat's ass about driving technique.

I noticed early on that my 911 would teach me to be a better driver. One of the first lessons is to keep both hands on the wheel. Indeed, if a guy had a problem with one arm or hand, it would indeed be a barrier to driving a 911. These cars are, after all, intensely engaging.

tcar · 11-09-2007, 12:24 PM

Steve already said it, but, look at a 964.

Don't know if the PS from a 964 can be retrofitted to an '87 Carrera.

xlr8 · 11-11-2007, 02:51 PM

http://smartracing.net/pdfcat/srp2008_frontaxle.pdf
See page 41 for a power steering kit.
(No affiliation)

Jims5543 · 11-12-2007, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammstein

Speaking of that, I went to a DE a few years back where there was a dude in a wheelchair driving an S4 with hand controls. Frickin awesome!

He works at the Karting track my son and I go to, he has a racing kart with the same setup. He is very fast in that too. He is from Brazil and was injured racing Karts his name is escaping me at the moment but he is a hell of a nice guy.

Christien · Christien's Garage

My main drive is a 72 911. This past summer my dad and I switched up cars at the track, so I spent some time with an 02 996 turbo and an 05 Corvette C6. The first thing I noticed was that the Corvette steering wheel took no effort to turn at all, whereas the 996 took more effort. Not an undue amount, it just wasn't as easy. I actually preferred it because I found on the track that the slightest movement of my hand would jitter the Corvette a bit.

While I can definitely notice the difference between my 72 and the 996, the difference between the 72 and the Corvette was about twice as much. I don't know if this helps any, but might put things in perspective a bit.