Options to Increase Sport Steering Angle

[RenchesAndSords]

Hi, I'm looking into options to try and increase the steering angle on my 2022 sport touring. in the technical specs, the turning circle is a good bit larger than the standard model. I'd like to avoid swapping steering racks if possible. Are there any aftermarket knuckles or tie rods that can accomplish this?

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[nttran98]

You and I have Opposite desire, I would love my EX-L To have the steering ratio of sport.

 

[RenchesAndSords]

The steering ratio is good, but the sport has a turning circle that over half a meter larger (2ft). It makes tighter parking lots a bit of a pain

 

[nttran98]

 

[ModJPB]

The steering RATIO is the same for all models. Yes, the sports, touring and Si have a reduced turning radius.

From a prior discussion on this. Sports/touring/si larger and wider tires and extra insulation (touring) need less angle to meet minimum clearance specs. After searching steering related part numbers, the only difference is the steering rack assembly. It is most likely swappable but this is a very expensive assembly even used and diy. It's also a difficult swap, the subframe needs to be dropped which would require an engine hoist and then an alignment after. Conclusion, unless someone donates you a salvaged civic, with proper tools and several days to do work.... It's best to live with what you got.

 

[RenchesAndSords]

Sorry to open this again after so long, but would there by any issues with the ecu with just dropping in an lx rack? I'm doing some other work at the moment and have the subframe out, so a rack swap would be a pretty "while I'm in there" job

Also if there's anything anyone wants closer pics or measurements for, it'll be out for the next few days to a week or two

 

[RenchesAndSords]

just opened the steering rack and there is a small black spacer, I'm assuming it's the rack limiter

I'm going to remove it, will post here if I run into any issues with the EPS

 

[ModJPB]

just opened the steering rack and there is a small black spacer, I'm assuming it's the rack limiter

I'm going to remove it, will post here if I run into any issues with the EPS

Very interested. Can you post some pictures of this block and where it's located. Is there two, one for each side?

 

[RenchesAndSords]

it's just behind the ball joint, it's just slid onto the rack shaft, it's 4mm, I plan on putting a thin Delrin piece back on to cushion the rack against metal on metal contact

I can't seem to upload any images to this forum for some reason, but if you take off the bellow on the wide side, it's right behind the ball joint where the inner tie rod screws to the rack

there's one on each side, so not a lot of total angle to gain, but at least it's something, and not as expensive as getting the lx rack, I think this can be done without dropping subframe if you just remove the inner tie rod. shouldn't even need alignment if you keep the inner and outer together

 

[RenchesAndSords]

update, I went to reinstall some 0.5 bump stops I made out of tpu and noticed that there's a channer in the rack housing where the plastic piece sits, so removing it will not add any steering angle, there is also what appears to be a metal ring pressed into the housing in that channel. I think this is what differentiates the lx from the sports. the channel is about 3.75mm deep, so even if the ring is removed there would only be an additional 0.25mm of travel, I'll try some things to see if I can get the ring out, but doesn't look like it's moddable

 

[RenchesAndSords]

I ended up adding 4.8mm of rack spacing washers between the inner tie rod and rack on each side, shot a vid from a drone and looks like the new circle is about 11.1 to 11.2m instead of 11.6, could prob be extended more with a threaded extender. VSA and steering systems did not throw any errors

 

[ModJPB]

That is great!!! Impressive job, with the drone measuring.

So you just have to remove the ring to get this? Is the ring accessible to remove without having to drop the subframe and pull the rack?

 

[RenchesAndSords]

No the ring needs to stay since there's a pressed steel ring in the housing as well limiting travel, the plastic ring is just to absorb the impact of the rack bottoming out, I got the extra angle by adding washers between inner tie rod and the steering rack, you will need to remove the inner tie rod for this. I am looking into sourcing some threaded extenders to see if I can get more out of it, since I still have a lot of clearance.

If you do this, make sure to use thread locker since the washers will reduce total thread engagement and I wouldn't go past 5mm

The washers I use have ID 18mm and OD 26mm, 0.8mm thick and I used 6 of them, make sure to do alignment after since this will toe in your front a lot

You can do this without dropping subframe but it'll be a bit of a pain, you'll need the open end wrench to socket adapter to be able to turn the inner tie rod

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