Before I bought my 04 I test drove a 2000 model year AP1. I was amazed at how well it handled and the steering was crisp and snapped back straight after a turn. I bought my 04 AP2 and I heard they changed the handling package so I'm not sure if that is all it is or if I have a issue. In the 04 i can be going around a corner and the wheel doesn't return to O or straight I can let go of the wheel and it'll stay in the turn or even just a slight turn it doesn't straighten back out. Is this normal for the AP2s or does it sound like I have something wrong/ or missing in the front suspension. Any Help is appreciated.
Thanks,
James

 

You probably need an alignment. IIRC, front toe out causes that issue. Or too little caster.

Have the car aligned somewhere good. Make sure to get a before and after print out to make sure the after angles are satisfactory. S2000s are one of the more difficult cars to align. So make sure they did it right.

The AP2 suspension changes were a slower steering rack and different spring rates. They changed the spring rates on S2000s in 02 and then again in 04 and then again for the CR in 08.

The AP2 also has smaller sway bars and softer shocks and different rear suspension geometry.

It will react slower than an AP1 will. But the wheel should still return to center.

 

[QUOTE=B serious,Oct 4 2009, 03:09 AM] You probably need an alignment.

 

It is a brute fact that the AP1's are more stiffly suspended and have quicker steering ratio than AP2's. AP2's are more confidence-inspiring because they are softer and with less rear roll stiffness bias (not necessarily a good thing for ultimate handling performance) and the AP1's rear toe-change-with-bump (bump steer) was minimized/eliminated (a good thing all around).

I wouldn't say that either handles "better" to any meaningful degree, but the AP1 definitely feels a bit sharper. But it also exhibits a lot more trailing-throttle oversteer, which has caught any number of uninitiated drivers out.

 

It would not surprise me if the return-to-center function of our EPS steering changed over the years as well. That sort of software tuning is rarely published because they consider it trade secret (e.g. same Delphi electro-variable shock hardware in a Ferrari has different tuning than in the vette).

 

Thanks for the info, I found the car had been modded by original owner then took everything off when he traded it in to the dealer. so far evidence points to the following, all taken back off.

front brakes
lowered suspension
wheels and tires
ram intake (underhood cut)
side skirts
headers
exhaust
rear bumper

 

If he had it aligned with the lowered suspension... then went back to stock suspension, that might explain things.

Get an alignment.

 

++
Alignment.

 

OK scheduled an alignment for 2morro.

I've owned many cars and I do mean MANY and this is the 1st one that has ever stayed in a turn like that. it doesn't turn more or less it basicaly acts like there is a lock on the steering which ever way you point the wheel is the way it will stay until you move it to a different direction. But it handles great and if I point it straight it'll go straight so just a new one for me.
Thanks for all the replies!

 

OK so I had the alignment done and got a printout and it was out but now all within specs. But I still have the same issue, not as bad but still there. Now when taking hard corners the sterring does straighten out (somewhat) but the slight turning of the wheel does not. So basically I have to kinda weeve back and forth to stay in my lane because any slight turn and the car stays goingin that direction. Not sure what else I can do, is this a computer steering control issue?

Help Please!