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Okay, when I bought my '02 SI two years ago, I didn't bother to test others. However, after driving 3 different SI hatch in '02-'04 there is something unique about mine. The steering on my car is stiffer than any other SI I have driven. This isn't a bad thing. I prefer this to the "loosy" power steering feeling of normal cars. My car is entirely stock purchased from the original owner. I'm not into modifying cars and/or racing but I get the impression that this car's steering is geared towards racing with the stiffer steering?

 
Rep Power: 812

maybe someone modified it before you bought it. with sway bars, springs, etc that made it handle better. could also be you have better tires than the others.

 
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The car is 100% stock. It's not the tires because I replaced the OEM Michelin when I bought with Yokohama. This fixed the alignment big time. I was afraid I bought a lemon during the drive home. Luckily, it was the tires.

 
Rep Power: 812

is it just that the wheel is harder to turn? or actual way that the car handles is tigher. maybe youre just low on power steering fluid lol.

 
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The steering wheel "stiffness" is constant all the time, whether the car is going in a straight line or when I'm turning. It's not "hard" like cars without power steering. It's just not "loose" like on a new car say a Camry. Yes, I did check the power steering fluid. It's full.

 
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my mechanic tightened my steering wheel. it used to be loose (stock i guess)...but he said he tightened some bolt...basically to give it less play

I think he did it because he thought i'd like the "no-power steering" race car feel...



ask your mechanic if there is such an adjustment. it sounds like that's what it is.

 
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I think this must have been done by the original owner. Strange, though as I would have never pictured this guy to have this kind of mod done to the car. The initial owner was an older buisness suit kind of guy. The steering wheel has less play just like you describe. The car tracks straight on.

 
Rep Power: 812

is there an upper strut bar on the car connecting the two struts together? that would also take away the play in the wheel.

 
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no strut bar.