Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS) - Adjustable?

[Stew]

Pretty sure you can pull the fuse, but the steering system is not designed for use without the motor, there would be extra stress that I'm not sure all the components can handle. That's just my opinion though. The driver selectable steering mode idea is one that many manufactures are doing but the Sonic is a cheaper car, maybe they could add that to future models.

The stresses are exactly the same all the way from the tie rod ends up to the motor under the dash. It's would only be more effort perceived by the driver from the electric motor to the steering wheel, which is the same shaft the motor connects to.

In other words, the forces are the same, it's just the electric motor is helping turn it for you so YOU don't have to work as hard.

 

[laborsmith]

I doubt you are right. I may be wrong, but somehow I do not see steering technology remaining stagnet. But, there is only one way to find out, although not by me. I have enough trouble steering my Corvair (no power assist and the engine/transmission located over the non-steering wheels) to conceive removing or nullifying the Sonic power assist would be worth doing in any shape, way, or manner. Until it is done and the results recorded and reported, I will continue my doubt.


Laborsmith

 

[Opticon]

The Sonic has very low 14:1 ratio steering and a small diameter wheel. I promise you it would very difficult to park with zero assist.

My Omni is 600lbs lighter and even with a 16:1 rack it was a handful at low speeds.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Go to a dealer.

In most cases I would agree with Ubryaj, such as retro fitting MyLink, but I believe this is different. In fact, I would expect the RS steering feel on the other trims and the other trims steering feel on the RS.

Hopefully Chevrolet Customer Service will relay our thoughts to Corporate.

And, by the way, in case there is any misunderstanding, I owned a 2012 Sonic turbo hatch LT and now own a 2013 Sonic RS and I say let all Sonic owners have a choice of which steering algorithm to use.


Laborsmith

Laborsmith, Opticon, Ubryaj,

Please refer to post #80 response to questions regarding Speed Sensitive Power Steering. There is "no adjustment available for this system operation". I have documented this thread, all comments, and sentiments and have relayed them to GM Corporate.

If anyone would like to submit additional suggestions for GM engineers regarding SSPS, please email your information to this link Chevrolet Owners | Contact Us | Chevrolet.

Vanessa
GM Customer Service

 

[firstorbit84]

Vanessa,

Thanks for your reply, but the SPSS is obviously adjustable to the RS program because Machine did it, as he stated in post #104.

 

[Machine]

Its not adjustable in the sense that there is no control knob, or ability to change it with a scan tool. Making a change requires a reflash of the control calibration in the computer.

 

[laborsmith]

I am used to the official Chevy response, which also applies to the Heads Up Display available on certain post mid-summer 2009 first year generation five Camaros. (Yep, another Camaro reference.) Chevy dealers will assert to this day no retro mod to equip a non-HUD Camaro with HUD is possible despite the fact there are numerous such animals traversing the highways and byways of this great nation.

Of course it can not be done, unless you want to do it. And the steering assist algorithm is just one of numerous examples.


My rant for the day! Laborsmith

 

[firstorbit84]

Yeah, this is just semantics though. We know the SPSS can't be "adjusted", but its control module can be reprogrammed to make it behave differently. This is what I want GM to acknowledge and allow their dealers to perform, preferably through an official optional update.

 

[Preloader]

The stresses are exactly the same all the way from the tie rod ends up to the motor under the dash. It's would only be more effort perceived by the driver from the electric motor to the steering wheel, which is the same shaft the motor connects to.

In other words, the forces are the same, it's just the electric motor is helping turn it for you so YOU don't have to work as hard.

I doubt you are right. I may be wrong, but somehow I do not see steering technology remaining stagnet. But, there is only one way to find out, although not by me. I have enough trouble steering my Corvair (no power assist and the engine/transmission located over the non-steering wheels) to conceive removing or nullifying the Sonic power assist would be worth doing in any shape, way, or manner. Until it is done and the results recorded and reported, I will continue my doubt.


Laborsmith

This portion of the steering assembly has been discussed and the conclusion was that the motor is assisting an otherwise standard steering linkage. The direction I'm heading with my question is whether it's as simple as unplugging the motor or pulling a fuse to disable it, without effecting other controls.

The Sonic has very low 14:1 ratio steering and a small diameter wheel. I promise you it would very difficult to park with zero assist.

My Omni is 600lbs lighter and even with a 16:1 rack it was a handful at low speeds.

I've got a couple tickets to the gun show that tell me I'll manage.

 

[firstorbit84]

16:1 & 14:1 is a big difference

 

[Opticon]

14:1 is tighter (harder to turn). A manual rack for those little cars was around 20:1.

 

[Ubryaj]

Had my friend install the RS steering calibration today, it took maybe 5 minutes. I noticed the difference right away after pulling out of the dealer. I'll have to drive it a little more to see if there's much difference. I'm hoping it will help the steering feel at highway speeds (always seemed a little loose to me). Next will be the ZL1 steering wheel which should make driving a little more enjoyable!

 

[Fry]

Thank you for your hard work on this idea. The steering is something I'd love to improve on my Sonic, and it looks entirely possible through this method. I'll start investigating a way to work this onto my car.

 

[sx sonic]

Ubryaj that is fantastic! Could you elaborate on the steps your friend had to take to flash it

 

[sx sonic]

one more thing directed to Machine, RS Turbo, or whoever else might know just for curiositys sake.. how's the SSPS set up? Is it always a dirict connection to the steering wheel and the motor just provides assist?

When I was working at Bimmer I learned their elctric assist did not have a direct connection between the tires & steering wheel, it was all motor. Driving the rack(variable rate turning). But if the system failed or lost power the system would default to a mechanical connection between steering wheel and tires

 

[Swordsmith]

I can tell you that when the Sonic's power steering goes out the car still steers, just a different feel to it.

 

[firstorbit84]

Wasn't the mechanism described somewhere in this thread?

I think it's like a gear attached to the steering column and a motor deep in the dash drives that gear

 

[RS Turbo]

one more thing directed to Machine, RS Turbo, or whoever else might know just for curiositys sake.. how's the SSPS set up? Is it always a dirict connection to the steering wheel and the motor just provides assist?

When I was working at Bimmer I learned their elctric assist did not have a direct connection between the tires & steering wheel, it was all motor. Driving the rack(variable rate turning). But if the system failed or lost power the system would default to a mechanical connection between steering wheel and tires

The system is very simple, The column has a dual torque sensor integrated into the column shaft and is monitored by the power steering module reading both inputs for redundantsy the module looks at these voltages as well as the VSS input information supplied out on the Dataline bus. The Module looks at its charting tables and supplied amperage to the motor. The motor assists steering through a worm gear and reduction gear located in the steering column housing. It then calculates heat by the anout of amps supplied for against the amount of time applied to know if it needs to back down the amperage due to heat. The design engineer calibrates the amount of assist needed and when, during evaluations for the suspension and tire charicteristics are evaluated for feel of the road and responce.

Hope that helps... opcorn:

 

[sx sonic]

Thanks RS! Most informative, exactly what I wanted to know.

 

[RS Turbo]

No Problem....