2019 Ram Recall
- Thread starter 1978 NYB
- Start date
Whoops.
This is why I have never been a big fan of electric type power steering. Without the electrical component, they are pretty much in a park it situation.
Dave
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
It's like losing the belt on a old car, it's just stiff.
You will have to put your phone down and use both hands.
Ah yes, the proverbial armstrong steering. I think I read someplace that some of the new electric cars do not have a direct link to the steering wheel. That would make for an interesting ride if there was a catastrophic power failure.
Dave
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
I can't speak for that. I know my Subaru has a shaft from steering wheel to rack with a high torque gear reduced electric motor that helps you steer, just like the hydraulic pressure did.
No direct link with the steering components would scare me. More scary is, who from Feds approved such a system?
Remember when Lexus had their advertising of a self-parking car? THAT was electric power steering, back them. All of the full-size GM pickups have had it for about 4 model years now, plus about 2 generations of Chevy Malibus. There were a few of the GM fwd cars that had electric pwr str on the 4cyls, but hydraulic on the V-6s. Possibly an EPA MPG thing?
The GM "MagnaSteer" power steering racks (in the 1990s) were neat in that after the basic "resistance/feel" of the rack was designed-in (default level), the magnets in the MagnaSteer input area could help ro resist the basic steering input to happen. With a GM scan tool, the basic vehicle-related "feel" could be varied, it was claimed. BUT on a consumer ride/drive on a then-new Buick Park Avenue, I experienced something that caused me to re-think that this was GM's premium-quality steering rack. In the slalom course, the target speed was 20mph. "Just drive as I watch your speed", the product guy said. Starting in the base Park Avenue, I was a little faster, but by the second cone, I was mowing over cones. Understeer. Next, it was the "upgrade suspension Ultra". By the 2nd cone, mowing over cones, but for a different reason. The quick steering inputs became jerky, not unlike the old "pump catch" on the hydraulic systems where things would lock-up momentarily. I made a surprised remark about this and the product specialist calmly said "The magnets aren't changing fast enough." I thought "WOW! This is the same-design rack used in Corvettes and no road test has mentioned it!"
?
When I got to the New Yorker LHS, I still went faster than 20mph and cleared ALL of the cones. Just like it should have been! Just a better handling and driving car without any special electrical gadgets to help steer it.
Back then, most of the GM performance-oriented models had MagnaSteer, but the normal lines of the same platform didn't. After several years, MS was quietly not mentioned anymore.
There are also electric power steering columns in the street rod world, too. "Fly-By-Wire" throttles have been around much longer. I believe that similar steering systems are just waiting to happen, but probably some product liability concerns?
Everything's getting ready for the self-driving vehicles. Electric power steering, electronic throttle actuators, automatic braking, bumper/object proximity sensors, radar, and multiple cameras can be had NOW, even on pickups. Just needs a different software package to tie it all together.
Not sure about the issues/fixes in the noted recall. Just means that either component reliability or a "code" issue, I suspect. Be that as it may.
Enjoy!
CBODY67
The GM "MagnaSteer" power steering racks (in the 1990s) were neat in that after the basic "resistance/feel" of the rack was designed-in (default level), the magnets in the MagnaSteer input area could help ro resist the basic steering input to happen. With a GM scan tool, the basic vehicle-related "feel" could be varied, it was claimed. BUT on a consumer ride/drive on a then-new Buick Park Avenue, I experienced something that caused me to re-think that this was GM's premium-quality steering rack. In the slalom course, the target speed was 20mph. "Just drive as I watch your speed", the product guy said. Starting in the base Park Avenue, I was a little faster, but by the second cone, I was mowing over cones. Understeer. Next, it was the "upgrade suspension Ultra". By the 2nd cone, mowing over cones, but for a different reason. The quick steering inputs became jerky, not unlike the old "pump catch" on the hydraulic systems where things would lock-up momentarily. I made a surprised remark about this and the product specialist calmly said "The magnets aren't changing fast enough." I thought "WOW! This is the same-design rack used in Corvettes and no road test has mentioned it!"
?
When I got to the New Yorker LHS, I still went faster than 20mph and cleared ALL of the cones. Just like it should have been! Just a better handling and driving car without any special electrical gadgets to help steer it.
Back then, most of the GM performance-oriented models had MagnaSteer, but the normal lines of the same platform didn't. After several years, MS was quietly not mentioned anymore.
Funny thing was that if the MS system was thought to be a performance issue on the vehicle, the TSB said to just unplug it and see if the problem disappeared. LOL.
There are also electric power steering columns in the street rod world, too. "Fly-By-Wire" throttles have been around much longer. I believe that similar steering systems are just waiting to happen, but probably some product liability concerns?
Everything's getting ready for the self-driving vehicles. Electric power steering, electronic throttle actuators, automatic braking, bumper/object proximity sensors, radar, and multiple cameras can be had NOW, even on pickups. Just needs a different software package to tie it all together.
Not sure about the issues/fixes in the noted recall. Just means that either component reliability or a "code" issue, I suspect. Be that as it may.
Enjoy!
CBODY67
78Brougham
"Chump"
The more they over think the plumbing....the easier it is to stop up the drain....
patrick66
Old Man with a Hat
Electrical failure in a 2008-2019 GM full-size SUV (Acadia, Enclave, etc) means steering AND brake failure...nothing Armstrong about it! Same with the KIA Soul(less).
And in the middle of all of this, only ONE door key cylinder of the cars, any more. Everything works off of the key fob. Unless you get a for-real fleet car Impala, which still has a deck lid lock cylinder!
When the '84 Corvettes came out, the dealers got a letter advising them to put the Corvettes they just got in on a battery charger for 24hours. Seems the parasitic draw from the factory alarm system would drain the batter in less than 30 days. Which means "no alarm system", in the process. One customer put a motorcycle battery in one of the storage compartments behind the driver's seat. Kept the alarm hapy!
CBODY67
When the '84 Corvettes came out, the dealers got a letter advising them to put the Corvettes they just got in on a battery charger for 24hours. Seems the parasitic draw from the factory alarm system would drain the batter in less than 30 days. Which means "no alarm system", in the process. One customer put a motorcycle battery in one of the storage compartments behind the driver's seat. Kept the alarm hapy!
CBODY67
67Monaco
Old Man with a Hat
Never ever buy a Killed In Action. you're just begging for it.
patrick66
Old Man with a Hat
I rented a Soul(less) a few years ago. Absolutely despised that transportation appliance! Let the hamsters have them.
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
Worst crime ever committed on Humanity:
Stop/Start.
Stop/Start.
Golf carts have it, can't be that bad.Worst crime ever committed on Humanity:
Stop/Start.
azblackhemi
Old Man with a Hat
The retirees in Sun City drive their golf carts all over town. Not sure if they ever make it on the golf course. 
Numerous drunks in town here drive golf carts with trailers to the liquor store since they will never to be licensed again since having multiple DWI's.
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
Blasphemy, we entertain ourselves with golf cart burnouts during rain delays.
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