I have an IX MR with 4,000 miles on the car. It seems that when the car is parked and at idle, the power steering assist becomes low and takes much more effort to turn the wheel. Just a little gas and it becomes fully assisted again, or even moving a few mph at idle is fine. Any idea what this could be? Defective power steering pump or normal?

 

Maybe you're not used to the wide wheels.. all cars are harder to turn than when it's rolling simply because of the resistance the rubber on the cement gives you. Didn't anyone in driver's ed told you that dry steering is bad? Not just on your tires, but it's much harder on the car

 

Well yes this car does have wider wheels/tires in the front than most cars I've owned. But it's like changing the angle at a few mph pulling into a garage gets tough, if it's normal then I will just stfu.

 

Hmm I think it's just the car.. the power assist isn't crazy powerful like big SUV's or trucks are. The tires are also a big culprit, on many cars once you switch the wheel base size then it's a different story.

I'm sure it's just normal, I've always driven DSM's with wide wheels and the Evo felt no different. In fact, when the evo is rolling it's even EASIER to steer than the other cars.

 

What RPM is you idleing at?

 

I'm idling at 700. The car is completely stock.

 

Don't know about the IX but the VIII is suposed to idle at 850 +or- 50 if that's true for your IX that would be the problem.

 

 

Fluid's fine, i didnt even have to top it off when i checked it. I can try another EVO. I can also adjust the BISS to increase my idle to around 850 see if that does anything.

 

I don't notice it on my xi. maybe i'm just used to it...

but there is considerable more dampening feel on our ix steering wheel compared to the viii.

 

maybe that's it, I didn't recall feeling it in my VIII RS.

 

Maybe you just need to go to the gym more. I would take it to the dealer and see what they say. Have them put you in another car to test drive.

 

Did that fix the problem?

 

for a little while, the problem is still getting worse.

Unfortunately, it takes a good 10-15 mins of driving for it to start... by the time the dealer looks at it all they tell me is "problem cannot be duplicated". Nothing worse than coming in to a slow uturn and suddenly losing PS mid-turn.

 

It's not a concern. I have the same problem on my 03 Evo VIII and when I've had many shops check it out, they say it's okay and that it is a common problem among evo's.