My EPS is heavier than any other car I've driven with power steering. But it's not nearly as heavy as a car without power steering. Maybe stiff is a better word. Imagine a hydraulic rack filled with maple syrup. It's most noticeable at parking lot speeds but it does retain the stiffness even on back roads.

Before I start the troubleshooting threads, is this normal? I don't have access to any other S2000s to drive... The other weird issue is that the car pulls to the right at low speeds, under maybe 15 MPH. Any other speed it tracks straight.

It's a 2000, stock, just had new (used) AP2 suspension installed and a stock alignment done. Tire pressure checked, but the fronts are 245mm wide.

 

Did the issue start before or after the new parts were installed?

 

It's been like that since I bought the car last year. It came with different wheels, garbage tires, and the steering wheel wasn't pointed straight when the car was driving straight. All that's been taken care of, but steering feel is exactly the same.

 

It certainly is not what I would call "heavy". What was the caster setting they used for the alignment? Mine is a big heavier than my daily drivers but I have a lot of caster on my setup which will add some heaviness but still nothing major.

 

Is the rack centered?
Start with the steering wheel and wheels pointed straight.

Count the turns from center to left lock.
Same amount of turns from center to right lock?

Is the torque sensor programmed properly? You can DIY this.

 

You have 245 width tires on. Stock front tires were 205. Extra contact patch from 245 tires require more force to turn, while the power steering was designed to turn 205 tires. With the power assist remain unchanged, the extra force will need to be supplied by the driver.

Also the S2000's power steering has always been heavier compared to non-sports cars. Earlier this year I was driving my S for the first time in 6 months, I kept thinking the steering was heavy and I needed to re-check the tire pressure. Nope. Tire pressure was on the spot. I was just used to the overboosted power steering from the daily driver.

Talking about tire pressure. Increase the PSI by 2 to 4, and that'll definitely make the steering lighter. It will also affect how the car turns, so play it safe with small increments.

 

Even going to 255's does not create much noticeable difference in steering effort on the s2000. I am sure if you really pay attention you may notice it but sounds like he is noticing a lot more here.

 

I have the original wheels with 205 fronts. I'll put them on and see how it feels. I'll also check the turns from lock-to-lock as mentioned above.

It sounds like this is not normal. My Mazda2 also has EPS and it feels incredibly natural. The S2000 does not. My first troubleshooting step will probably be cleaning/re-greasing the torque sensor.

 

I would say your torque sensor may need resetting. My EPS acted up like that when I had the instrument panel removed and I was test driving the car ( I sent my instrument panel away for repair) , as soon as I plugged the instrument panel back in the car drove like normal again. I'm not saying your issue is the instrument panel, but the symptoms are electrical in nature. So I think it could be an electronic adjustment needed.

 

The S2000's EPS will probably feel heavier than a Mazda2.

Its worthwhile to make sure its working properly either way.

When you're driving it at ~30mph or under, and you turn the steering wheel....does it return to center like normal? Or will the steering wheel just stay turned?