oceanvue

Because it is, wrong. I have a '68 T-Bird that out weighs my S-4 by 1000 lbs. and it doesn't feel nearly as heavy as the 928 does. So what's up? I gotta know

sublimate

You trying to bench press it?

Jim bailey - 928 International

Start with the level of power steering assist.....the T-bird has no road feel , feedback from what the front wheels are doing especially at high speed...

Mike Simard

Some of those 60s land yachts not only have high power steering assist but less caster too. Some even have NEGATIVE caster!

piccardo

Very Heavy pedal feel, automatics start in 2nd gear and only use 1st at WOT does not help. I think the seating position so far back in the car with that long nose also makes the car feel larger than it is.

dr bob

It's very comfortable at 100.

If you grew up on back- or mid-engined cars, the 928 steering feels heavy. But it isn't.

Many 'murican cars have combination sof light spool valves in the steering, with high pressure bypass valves and small restrictor orifices in big steering pumps to give the impression of speed-sensitive power steering. Just a trick to make the car feel lighter when you are going slow. If you must have that kind of feel in your 928, hunt down a late GTS rack and the corresponding HP pump. Or just drive it a little faster in the turns.

Alan

Yep - you just aren't driving it fast enough...

BC

It is kind of a heavy feeling car. Slow steering ratio is one thing, because of the car's high speed cruising nature, they have a very slow steering gear. I'm not sure how we would fix that.

Very low boost on most 928s I have driven - very heavy at parkinglot speeds.

Most have not replaced their shocks for more than 60,000 miles - thinking these are not wear items is a mistake and give the car a Cadillac floaty feeling.

The S4s weigh at 3500 dry or so. With you and gas, oil, and coolant, its possible to get over 3800 pounds - that IS heavy.

The unsprung weight, wheels, brakes, suspension are all pretty damn heavy. Good for long-lasting track cars, but lighter brakes, wheels, tires, and suspension arms could easily be felt if changed.

Marine Blue

The controls on this car are definitely heavy which makes it feel bigger than it is.

But when you start chucking the car into corners or hammering out of turns you realize that it really isn't that heavy and it is so rediculously predictable it's amazing.

I think Piccardo is also on to something. A while back Dave C mentioned to me that I should check my seating position in the car to make sure my leg extension is correct. Yesterday I decided to adjust my seat to proper leg extension and adjusted the angle of the seat so my reach was correct and it made a world of difference. The cars controls feel lighter and more responsive (including the clutch)! It's like driving an entirely different car IMO at least.

Lizard928

you guys are a riot, if my pedal was lighter I would have to watch my speed even more than I already do.
And I dont find the cars that heavy even with running no power steering.

As to the turn ratio yes it is abit slow, someone should talk quaife into making some quick ratio racks.

Jim bailey - 928 International

I use a smaller steering wheel....make quicker steering

Ron_H

I agree with the speed issue. Drive it at triple digit speeds for a few hours continuously and then respond. This isn't a grocery getter (though it does well at that too, with the huge gaping hatch. Being a vegetarian, I visit the Farmers' Markets regularly and load up the rear with cases of veggies and fruits.) But of course the markets are up the road a bit in the city so I must "suffer" the drive up and back in the early morning hours when the freeways are almost deserted. Aw that's terrible. All that weight in my little car on a beautiful EMPTY freeway. Well, empty except for a few bears lurking about. Anyway, I think the steering feel is JUST RIGHT. The more I drive this machine the more I think they got so much right about it. Well, time to eat some more apples so I can go buy more.

ibkevin

Because they have a phat ***...



C'mon, it's well known and apreciated!

SharkSkin

If the T-bird feels lighter you must not be pushing it very hard. Try slipping the power steering belt off of the 'bird and block the vac line to the brake booster then see what you think.

F451

x 2. You won't believe the difference until you try it.