Steering Rack Differences?

[scrambld]

Just curious if there are differences between racks for a TDI...GTI/GLI...GT etc? Or is it more of electronics/programing (electric steering) differences? Seems odd if I want to be sporty in my TDI that I can't keep my hands 9/3 or 8/4 w/out getting crossed up.

 

[Yourbuddysatin]

Probably the power assist coming from the module stiffening or loosening up the steering.

 

[SilverGhost]

The electric steering has different "MAPS" based on what vehicle they installed in. It has been a long time ago, but I remember changing maps in class and the steering going from BMW stiff to Cadillac one finger easy. And I mean so easy you could give steering wheel a spin and it keeps going. Instructor suggested this could be something we could change for, say an elderly person wanting easy steering.

Seems like if there enough interest a tuner could be able to access and load the different maps to fit your liking, but I haven't heard of any of them doing this yet.

It's not until the MkVII GTI that we finally got variably ratio steering racks. Only about 1 and 1/2 turns lock to lock, if memory serves.

Jason

 

[oilhammer]

Some racks allow the change, just poke around in the module. I forget the coding, but ross-tech likely has all the info.

 

[scrambld]

Good info to know guys....a little tighter steering would be welcomed. Thxs!!

 

[Yourbuddysatin]

Did you scroll thru the MFI and see if there is a setting? I don’t know much about the newer cars dash controls.

 

[scrambld]

Did you scroll thru the MFI ....

I'll look but I doubt it...don't recall seeing anything like that.

 

[SilverGhost]

Only way I have seen to customize steering response is on MkVII with DCS or MQB 4motion with terrain control. Never saw anything like that in a MFI controlled car.

Jason

 

[scrambld]

Yeah, nothing on MFI.....

 

[Yourbuddysatin]

Was worth a shot. Maybe look on Ross tech site and see what they have to code the module for stiffer steering. Or swap out the modules for another that has that coding.