lumpy steering - light then heavy then light again. No CEL or EPS warning
 

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced the steering go "lumpy"? By that I mean when you turn the wheel it feels fine for maybe an eighth of a turn, then gets heavy, then light again etc. This has just happened to our car this morning and it doesn't seem to be going away. It happens in both directions, lock to lock.

I've cleaned the connectors under the airbox. The tyres are at the right pressures. No MIL lamp is on, and neither is the Steering fault indicator light.

Cheers

I am having the same problem.

What have you tried so far?

nothing yet. I am going to clean the connectors first. I think some anti freeze came out of the overflow tank. The problems started after that so I am hoping just cleaning them will do the trick.

fingers crossed that works for you. I thought that sort of thing was more associated with the power steering just not working full stop, and the power steering fault light being lit. Not the lumpy light/heavy steering I am seeing with no fault light

I have noticed something similar in my 2010 GT which I bought new in November 2010. I noticed it first on my drive home from the dealership, but I attributed it to the tires.

I kept noticing it at least every day, usually changing lanes, or turning onto an on/off-ramp.

Now with 4k miles on the car, I still notice it, but only a few times (or less) per week. It seems to be getting "better."

It feels like something is "catching" in the steering. When I first turn, the effort is harder than I think it should be, and then as I turn it becomes "normal." I assume it's due to a torque sensor providing incorrect information to the artificially weighted electrical steering.

Not a big expert on the steering system in the car, hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in.

read this: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/power-steering-failure-107481/

Fixed
 

I've just got back from the dealer, with a bill for £75 and a receipt that shows "Lubricated lower steering UJ joint", and have working steering.

So maybe the wd40 I used wasn't enough and they have used grease of some sort, I haven't looked yet. He also said they had the joint off and worked it around a bit on the bench which I don't think I would have been able to do.

I dare say that was one of the easiest £75 they have made....still, I'm glad it's working again

Right, I'm off to ebay to buy a grease gun.....

Frootloops you have a PM

I've had this problem for over a year. Connectors looked clean. Called dealer to see how $$ wiring harness was and he said that he needed vin#? Does that sound correct?

Ok, just talked with dealer and they said that a harness would cost $2700!! It may be obvious that he didn't understand what I was saying, but I told him a steering harness. He gave me a price for an engine harness! WTF!

LOL

if you look at the link I posted on the last few pages there is the part number for the new harness.

Im having the same problems....
after i cleaned all connectors and reset the eps module it have major iimprovement...
the probs only occurs during the cold eng temp...
but stilll...
i will try the lubrication on the steering