Hello Guys.

I have just bought a 1999 Skoda 1.3 petrol with no power steering.

I have driven many cars with power steering before..Ford Cortinas Mk 4 and a BMW 3 series E30.

And managed these fine.

 

However I test drove 2 Skoda Felicia 1.3 back to back and found the steering real heavy on both.

The area where I live means I have to parallel park on quite a busy road.

I want to bond with this car 

So am looking for suggestions is there any after market fix to make this steering lighter????

 

OFc..I have thought about over inflating the tyres...once I get off the motorway..I may do this.

And other than moving house and getting a driveway   [ I wish!!!! ]

Or buying a felicia with power steering !!!!

 

Is there a "fix" for this ????

 

Thanx for any tips.

 

P.s the reason why I still went ahead and bought my car was because of my tight budget and Skodas repuation for reliability

Plus I don't like modern cars with electric this and electric that. I don't need that in my life. 

 

Cheers

Austin

Firstly, as you've realised, an FWD car without PAS always has heavier steering than an RWD car without all else being equal.

 

Secondly, how used are the front tyres on the cars you've driven? New tyres tend to give lighter steering than used ones.

 

Thirdly, what size tyres are they on? Standard on the 1.3 is probably 155R13 but some people fit 175/70R13 for better girp at the expense of heavier steering.

 

Fourthly, are you prepared and able to sit closer to the steering wheel? For best leverage you want to be able to sit naturally and rest your wrist on top of the wheel without straightening your elbow fully.

Thank you Ken.

 

You have raised some very good points/ideas. Thank you for your reply.

Yes, You are right about the tyres on the example I have bought one of the front tyres is down to the legal minimum. Offside front.

I will have to check the size...and I hope they have the bigger tyre which I can replace with the 155's

And lastly..Thank you for the tip about getting closer to the wheel..I shall do that.

 My plan is to bring it to my local mechanic after I get it..And have the oil and filter changed..I'll get him to look underneath..check the C.V joints etc.

 Once I have owned the car for a week or two..and once I know it's a good one..I might put two new "boots" on the front.the 155 size that you recommend.

 Other good news is the council have just brought in residents parking..Am hoping I may use this to my advantage..i.e It should be easier to find a nice "big" spot to park in.

 AFAIk it seems there are less cars parked around here..since they brought it in...so fingers crossed.

 

I paid 440 quid for a 1999 T Reg..and it really looks like a nice car..And I am dead happy with the lack of the electrics otherwise...This is part of the appeal of this car to me.

The engine sounds real nice and it's got 55,000 miles..Engine bay is real clean...All the fluids looked real clean.

And the bonnet felt as heavy as my entire first car ( Fiat Seicento )

 

So, thanks for taking the time out.to reply.

Update.

Picked up my Felicia last Sunday.

The seller was doing an MOT before sale..And they mentioned something about changing the tyres.

The car is riding on 165's  and the steering is absolutely fine.( it was better than when I test drove it )

 

Just left it in for a service..my mechanic spotted a water pump issue.

This pump has an engine mount attached ( Model 1.3 L )  so it's a big job.

Apart from that..The car is nice and the mechanic thinks I picked a good one.

I have grown to like it..And I'm bonding with it

Nice honest little car.

I am fully confident that once the water pump is done I will have it worry free for at least a year.