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Improving steering feedback?

Perpetuus

Perpetuus

Data Encryption
Location
In my garage
Last year I bought a VAGCOM with hopes that I can adjust the steering assist to a lower level, all because I hated the absence of feedback on the steering wheel.

Turns out the '07s have this feature locked out. :thumbdown:

But to this day it still bothers me, and is my only letdown on this car.

Adding a Koni FSD cup kit helped, as did a set of 26mm front/22mm rear H&R swaybars, but the steering still feels vague...

The other day I disconnected my battery. Upon reconnection, the steering assist level was lowered and it was AWESOME. I assume the ECU had to recalibrate itself. The auto up/down feature of the windows did not work also. Three days later I got my vague overboosted steering assist back, and I hate it.

Does anyone know of any way to lower the steering assist level on an '07? I don't care if it is through programming or physical rewiring or suspension mods, I just need to know how to do it.

I would love to tackle the problem directly by dialing out all that steering motor assist, but if not, which one of these mods can help improve feedback?

Whiteline anti-lift kit
Limited slip diff.
Stiffer dogbone mount and transmission mount

Someone please help!
 
Carfreak226

Carfreak226

Detailer Extraordinaire
Location
92808, CA
Car(s)
2007 GTI MKV
i'm not sure if this will be accurate, but to my understanding, you have to use an earlier version of the vag-com software that your running to get access to most of the features to your car. Plz someone with vag-com knowledge chime in. I would also like to know, as I also have an 07.
 
KiwiKawaii

KiwiKawaii

Ready to race!
Location
Markham, ON
From what I know, reducing the steering assist won't improve steering feedback that much. The lack of steering feedback is one of the disadvantages for EPS. Would the dealer have any way of adjusting the steering assist amount?
 
Perpetuus

Perpetuus

Data Encryption
Location
In my garage
KiwiKawaii said:
From what I know, reducing the steering assist won't improve steering feedback that much. The lack of steering feedback is one of the disadvantages for EPS. Would the dealer have any way of adjusting the steering assist amount?
Click to expand...

I went that route as well, because I assume that they could somehow reflash my ECU with something pre-2006 so the steering assist channel is unlocked again.

They looked into it and told me that the '07s don't have this feature, and talked about liability issues and such. So, maybe it could be done, but the dealer won't touch it if it the feature is absent.

A website I came across had a simple guide on modifying the power assist level by rewiring the circuit. They claimed that it should work on all electric power steering cars, at a cost of around 10$ by using off the shelf components at an electronics store. The idea is to add a variable resistor (potentiometer) between the steering torque sensor and its ECU.

I do not know where to start with this mod on our cars, if any of you guys have a better understanding of electronics, that would be great! :thumbsup:

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=2390
 
JetTurbo

JetTurbo

geezer
Location
South Florida, USA
Car(s)
2018 GTi Autobahn 6M
Perpetuus said:
... I assume that they could somehow reflash my ECU with something pre-2006 so the steering assist channel is unlocked again.

They looked into it and told me that the '07s don't have this feature...]
Click to expand...

Well you know what they say about 'assume' ...

Pretty sure if you want to add the 2006 adjustable steering assist via VAG-COM, you need to install a 2006 steering rack. It is not just a change in the computer (no real cost savings there), its a change in the part its controlling too. Another one of VW's running change cost reductions :wink:
 
Perpetuus

Perpetuus

Data Encryption
Location
In my garage
I found out where I could get an '06 steering assist control module (it's not cheap), but will it work?

Are these modules plug and play? On our '07 cars the steering assist adjustment is locked out, but is it locked out in this steering assist control module, or is it locked out in the main ECU?
 
Perpetuus

Perpetuus

Data Encryption
Location
In my garage
cbursten said:
Fill your front tires to around 87psi. Epic steering feedback.
Click to expand...

I run them at 40 psi already!

What if I just unplug the steering motor? Epic. Manual Steering. :biggrin:
 
S

SRTthis

NJ 2 FL
Location
Lakewood Ranch, FL
Car(s)
2010 370Z
just a question. why is it that that feature is locked out for 07s? how does the feature get locked out and why can it not be accessed. Also i am sure there a quite a few more features that are unknown of that vagcom could have access to.
 
JetTurbo

JetTurbo

geezer
Location
South Florida, USA
Car(s)
2018 GTi Autobahn 6M
SRTthis said:
just a question. why is it that that feature is locked out for 07s? how does the feature get locked out and why can it not be accessed. Also i am sure there a quite a few more features that are unknown of that vagcom could have access to.
Click to expand...

The feature is not locked out in software. The necessary hardware is removed to reduce cost.
 
Perpetuus

Perpetuus

Data Encryption
Location
In my garage
SRTthis said:
are there part sheets or PDFs that list the difference in the steering systems between 06 and 07? .... or diagram
Click to expand...

As far as I know, there isn't.

On another note, I bring news!
Yesterday I purchased a 2006 GTI steering assist module (it's attached to the electric steering motor on the steering rack) and I am looking to swap out my old module with this.

Hopefully it'll work.
 
S

SRTthis

NJ 2 FL
Location
Lakewood Ranch, FL
Car(s)
2010 370Z
Perpetuus said:
As far as I know, there isn't.

On another note, I bring news!
Yesterday I purchased a 2006 GTI steering assist module (it's attached to the electric steering motor on the steering rack) and I am looking to swap out my old module with this.

Hopefully it'll work.
Click to expand...

def keep us posted on this
 
GTIzzle07

GTIzzle07

NY Dubz
Location
New YorKk.
Car(s)
2007 GTI
drive in reverse, great steering response :thumbsup:
 
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