Hey all,

I own a TJ Magna. Drove a mates TW Magna the other day, and was very impressed how much better weighted the steering is. Still good assistance, but a nicer, firmer feeling especially when moving off centre, giving a lot more steering feel then my overlight TJ, without that see-saw feeling off centre.
Question is what actually changed from TJ to TW in the steering department???? Surely it couldn't have been too much, have heard they reduced power steering assistance with a newer power steering pump fitted (can anyone easily confirm difference in part numbers etc?), but is that all? Would it simply be a case of fitting the new revised power steering pump, or is there other modifications? Anyone know for sure, or modded their TE TH or TJ in this way?
Thanks..........

Makes sense, dont personally know.
All i know is the less effort i have to put in, the better.
Though it has caught me off guard a couple of times, if you let go of the steering wheel it can end up facing anywhere :shock: .

Hey all,

I own a TJ Magna. Drove a mates TW Magna the other day, and was very impressed how much better weighted the steering is. Still good assistance, but a nicer, firmer feeling especially when moving off centre, giving a lot more steering feel then my overlight TJ, without that see-saw feeling off centre.
Question is what actually changed from TJ to TW in the steering department???? Surely it couldn't have been too much, have heard they reduced power steering assistance with a newer power steering pump fitted (can anyone easily confirm difference in part numbers etc?), but is that all? Would it simply be a case of fitting the new revised power steering pump, or is there other modifications? Anyone know for sure, or modded their TE TH or TJ in this way?
Thanks..........

They might have revised/increased the castor settings???:doubt:

That would add some weight to the steering and improve initial bite during cornering.

Anybody know a TW's specifications?

During the Ralliart develptment a new rack was introduced to counteract the vagueness of the steering on the TJ and improve feel etc, and from what I have heard this rack was introduced into the TL/TW build. Could be wrong, but I am sure all the ancillary parts for the power steering system ie pump, were a carry over from TJ.

I heard they changed the valving and the assistance curve in the TL. So i suppose a new pump off a TL would have these things built in. I think the rack is the same.

did the cars have the same tyres on them

far as i know the only differance in the tj to tl was the rear swaybar was fitted to tl

ill have a look in the wheel alignment specs tomorow

Is there any way to put in a more direct rack? i.e. lower turns lock to lock. But definitely the feel is better in TL-onwards.

Power steering pump boost curve (less assistance just off of steering centre) was changed for the TJ ralliart and this setup was used on the TL/TW.

Power steering pump boost curve (less assistance just off of steering centre) was changed for the TJ ralliart and this setup was used on the TL/TW.


Yeah I am sure I read somewhere that they changed the power steering pump to offer better feel/ firmer steering, but wasn't sure whatelse, if anything, that they changed.
My TJ, and mates TW which I drove had same width wheels, and exact same tyres, so definately must be something thats been modified.
Would be good to know whether or not fitting the modified pump is all that is needed to get these worth while changes, cause definately was much nicer in the steering department........

Makes sense, dont personally know.
All i know is the less effort i have to put in, the better.
Though it has caught me off guard a couple of times, if you let go of the steering wheel it can end up facing anywhere :shock: .
yep, it is too light. Few months ago i took off in first, without a strong grip on the steering wheel, and i went off at 45 degrees and smashed over a gutter, scratching the crap out of a rim. Torque steer + light steering is a bit of an uneasy combination!

But yes, the TL onwards have a much nicer steering feel

I like the TJ steering i can do it with my little finger and im a lazy bugger, i bought an auto so i could eat food from the drive-thru whilst driving so light steering is even better ;)

yep, it is too light. Few months ago i took off in first, without a strong grip on the steering wheel, and i went off at 45 degrees and smashed over a gutter, scratching the crap out of a rim. Torque steer + light steering is a bit of an uneasy combination!

But yes, the TL onwards have a much nicer steering feel
Yeh i took off at the lights a little quicker than i probably should have, nearly mounted the gutter because i wasn't holding the steering wheel properly, scared the crap outer me. Recovered in a split second though without even thinking, was a crazy snap instinct.

yep, it is too light. Few months ago i took off in first, without a strong grip on the steering wheel, and i went off at 45 degrees and smashed over a gutter, scratching the crap out of a rim. Torque steer + light steering is a bit of an uneasy combination!

But yes, the TL onwards have a much nicer steering feel

Yeah the light steering was apparently a way of helping to hide the torque steer, which is a bummer when you accelerate hard and finally get caught out:)
That said though, the TW I drove didn't really show the torque steer anymore then my car, but had heaps nicer firm steering.....progress I guess.
Have to make some more inquiries re swapping power steering pump etc, see if its a possibility. Steering is still light enough fro easy driving, just seems to have tonnes more feel to it when.

Hi everyone!

I have been lurking in this forum for a while and have felt that its finally time to come out of the closet so to speak :redface:

I am also very curious to find out what can be done to improve the steering feedback of my TJ Magna as its feels terrible at times while doing 110k on the freeway. The alignment of the wheels are fine but the steering is extremely vague and light.

If anyone does find out what improvements were made on the TL and if this can be implemented into a TJ and at what cost, I'd be extremely appreciative.

Been told by my old man (MMAL engineer) that it is the actual steering rack. If we can get our hands on a TL one and put it in my TH, I'll let you guys know what difference it makes.

Been told by my old man (MMAL engineer) that it is the actual steering rack. If we can get our hands on a TL one and put it in my TH, I'll let you guys know what difference it makes.

I have had a TL rack in my car since 2004 after the left rack seal shat itself in my old TH one and there was no difference in steering feel after fitting this steering rack BUT i had fitted a ralliart power steering pump back in 2003 which did make a difference to steering feel, having said that when i worked on the ralliart program we did try different racks and pumps with different assistance boost curves.

Been told by my old man (MMAL engineer) that it is the actual steering rack. If we can get our hands on a TL one and put it in my TH, I'll let you guys know what difference it makes.

Bit more info... More specifically, it's the valve body in the steering rack. Have to take the whole steering rack out though to swap it over...

Here i am thinking my TJ has good feeling, lucky a read on the ralliart has the good steering, an i have a ralliart and the good steeringlol lol didn't think there was anything wrong with mine.


AMC /// 300+ kW :shock: stick that up you 6L HSV

Yeh i took off at the lights a little quicker than i probably should have, nearly mounted the gutter because i wasn't holding the steering wheel properly, scared the crap outer me. Recovered in a split second though without even thinking, was a crazy snap instinct.

lol@ you and tim-e... its called.. HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL PROPERLY! haha.. ah well.. hopefully you have learnt..

lol@ you and tim-e... its called.. HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL PROPERLY! haha.. ah well.. hopefully you have learnt..
Yeh i learnt for sure lol. Though you cant blame, i did come from a heavy **** TR :).

Anyone get a chance to fit a TL steering pump to see if it improved the steering response at all?

I like the TJ steering i can do it with my little finger and im a lazy bugger, i bought an auto so i could eat food from the drive-thru whilst driving so light steering is even better ;)

if you think the TJ is light, try the TF...its lighter especially when the TF is a 3.0L and the TJ is 3.5L, there is a noticable difference in steering weight.

I haven't yet but eager to find out who has :D.

I haven't yet but eager to find out who has :D.
you may be able to try mine when i can make it to a cruise or meet up of some sort

One way to significantly improve the feeling of the steering is the whiteline anti-lift/castor kit.

After getting it, noticed the steering has a fair bit more weight to it, and doesn't feel so unnaturally light anymore.

Question is what actually changed from TJ to TW in the steering department????


If TL & TW have the same set up as Ralliart, then read chapter 5.2 to see what they did.

http://autoweb.com.au/cms/A_55022/newsarticle.html

I'm in total agreement with everyone about the light steering! With the auto box in my KH my 7 year old sister would have no trouble driving this thing. It funny being able to drive through tight bends without any effort, but a bit more heft would be a lot more fun :P

if you think the TJ is light, try the TF...its lighter especially when the TF is a 3.0L and the TJ is 3.5L, there is a noticable difference in steering weight.
Couldn't agree more.