Steering effort Question

[CharlieZ]

I have a 90 mtx 5 spd and a 92 atx. Recently switching between the cars, it occurred to me that the atx car requires a little more effort on the steering wheel that than it does in the mtx car. Same tire pressure both cars. The mtx has the AC compressor removed. The atx car has it installed. Mtx 182K miles, atx 252K miles. No other major differences.

It would be hard for me to take any actual torque measurements while driving.

Have other drives experienced the same?
Is the auto tranny much heavier than the 5 spd?

Thanks
cz

[batstiva]

I suspect the atx might be a bit heavier than the mtx, not sure it should be enough to feel a difference in the steering. Never driven an auto Festy, so I have no idea if they feel different than a manual or not.

[lessersivad]

I have a 90 mtx 5 spd and a 92 atx. Recently switching between the cars, it occurred to me that the atx car requires a little more effort on the steering wheel that than it does in the mtx car. Same tire pressure both cars. The mtx has the AC compressor removed. The atx car has it installed. Mtx 182K miles, atx 252K miles. No other major differences.

It would be hard for me to take any actual torque measurements while driving.

Have other drives experienced the same?
Is the auto tranny much heavier than the 5 spd?

Thanks
cz

Well that answers my question because I've noticed the same between my '89 auto and '93 manual..........huh??

[David88]

I've had many both ATX and MTX cars. I currently have two ATX and one MTX. Both ATX are heavier in the steering than the MTX. One ATX has air and it seems to require even more effort than the others. Not sure why. Seems like a weight thing.

[sasquatch]

i noticed a BIG diffence when i got a alignment in my car.... it was SO much easier to turn after that was done maby thats your problem...

[gdawgs]

I've never had an auto, but when I bought my second Festiva, the steering was much heavier than my first one. The tires on the second one were fairly worn and they were wider than my other car. When I replaced the tires, the steering then felt the same as my other car. It made a significant difference.

[Festiva_tunner]

could be a slight difference in the steering box design between the years - used to see that all the time on the petes when drivers upgraded - even though it was the same model truck and had the same general weight the trucks seemed to handle differently

[Mike McKown]

I have several of each transmission type. The standard shift cars seem to steer easier at low speed than the automatics.