[dr.aviansh]

Hi fellas. I hope you're doing good.

I have a '17 Corolla Altis CVT and I'm having issues with the EPS which feels heavier than expected at least till ~40km/h. Also, I feel the return to center action is AGGRESSIVE as well.

I have showed it to a couple of dealers who say that it is fine and couldn't figure out anything wrong with the vehicle.

I have replaced the front shocks and their mounts as they were due anyway.
I have even upgraded from stock size 205/55 R16's to Yokohama Blu-Earth GT 205/60 R16's so that I can exceed the normal 33 PSI tyre pressure to 38ish.

But it hasn't improved matters for me.

Since this issue isn't ignorable for me, I would like to know what modifications can be done electrically, if at all by working on the EPS motor or even with the ECU, or even mechanically for this model.

Also is this a normal Altis behaviour? Nonetheless i need to address this issue.

Thanks in advance,
Aviansh.

[gkveda]

What is the condition of the battery? If it is too old and not delivering enough current to the motor, steering may overload the belt and motor fails to turn the steering.

And from your post, I am not able to understand, compared to what, are you feeling it is heavier? Are you comparing with your earlier experience with the same car or with other brands? If it is with other brands like Hyundai i10 or something similar, it is probably not the right comparison.

I am just thinking other possibilities. Have you added any Accessories recently? If some local auto electrician has added accessories, may be he would have paralleled the accessory to EPS motor circuit and hence current is divided to two devices and EPS motor not getting enough current.

[Kosfactor]

Please go to an independent alignment shop, preferably some place that is know to be a specialist in your town / city. Those guys should be able to diagnose it if it is something related to suspension. If this is not the case you maybe in for a big bill.

Over inflating the tire can make it turn easier but you will ruin the tires due to uneven wear, please use OE recommend air pressure only.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by gkveda

What is the condition of the battery? If it is too old and not delivering enough current to the motor, steering may overload the belt and motor fails to turn the steering.

The EPS will draw power from alternator I believe since the engine is running

[dr.aviansh]

Originally Posted by gkveda

What is the condition of the battery?

And from your post, I am not able to understand, compared to what, are you feeling it is heavier?

I am just thinking other possibilities. Have you added any Accessories recently?

Thanks for taking interest. The battery as such is not new but then it is taking self at once. Also, I think the battery's job is done once the car is started.
Also, shouldn't there be any ECU or battery sign after starting it incase of such an event?

I have driven Ford's HPS, own a Duster. Yes i am aware that Honda, Maruti and Hyundai EPS are feather light.

No, the car is untouched AFA electrical accessories are concerned.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Originally Posted by dr.aviansh

Hi fellas. I hope you're doing good.

I have a '17 Corolla Altis CVT and I'm having issues with the EPS which feels heavier than expected at least till ~40km/h. Also, I feel the return to center action is AGGRESSIVE as well.

This observation came after the tyre upgrade? Please check the wheel alignment first before moving to the power steering.

Spike

[dr.aviansh]

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

Please go to an independent alignment shop, preferably some place that is know to be a specialist in your town / city. Those guys should be able to diagnose it if it is something related to suspension. If this is not the case you maybe in for a big bill.

The alignment is fine. Big bill? What could be the probable diagnosis? I'm ready to spend big as the car is worth keeping for long otherwise.

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

This observation came after the tyre upgrade? Please check the wheel alignment first before moving to the power steering.

No the problem had been persistent since long pushing me to upgrade to taller tyres.

[corvus corax]

I think this maybe an issue related to the steering rack assembly. Since you have mentioned replacing the shocks and mounts, might be a good idea to inspect further into the ancilliaries; link rods, controll arms the whole nine.
If the issue still persists take the car to a competitive fng and look again for faults in the EPS system.

[lamborghini]

Try and test drive another Corolla. I too find our 2017 steering unnecessarily heavy in the city as well, but it's been like that since day 1 from what I remember.

I also remember a family member complaining about the same during their TD of a dealer's Corolla in 2018.

[Swapnil4585]

Replacing the serpentine belt should solve it.

Look more into suspension / steering rack only if the car has been driven continuously on bad roads for long period.

My Altis (2010) is driven only on bad roads and I had faced this issue. However the issue diminished after I replaced the belt.

[Kumaran93R]

Please recheck your alignment at an independent tyre shop once again and get the alignment report. Aggressive return to center points to a negative camber setup. This might be caused by a misaligned top mount, etc,.

Also check for play and noise by turning the steering aggressiely when the car is stationary. It could indicate weak tie rods / ball joints or the steering rack itself.

Also, replace the battery with a temporary battery and check. Poor battery voltage causes lots of wierd issues in modern cars. Just ask the German car owners about it. ��

[Laidbackakki]

The alignment will not cause heavy steering, I know this from my conversation with a friend who owns an alignment shop and he is mighty good. IMHO this seems to be an issue of the steering rack. Also give a thought to the serpentine belt mentioned above.
Hope you get a speedy resolution to your issue.
Regards

[dr.aviansh]

Originally Posted by lamborghini

Try and test drive another Corolla. I too find our 2017 steering unnecessarily heavy in the city as well, but it's been like that since day 1 from what I remember.

The others feel marginally lighter than mine. I'm on 205/55 R16's and what about you?
Planning to downgrade to lower variants' 195/65 R15. What say? Do smaller alloys feel lighter?
Replaced my Rack under Insurance Claim and I keep the tyres over inflated, still it feels INTERMITTENTLY HEAVY.

Originally Posted by Swapnil4585

Replacing the serpentine belt should solve it.

Your 2010 Altis is equipped with an HPS and mine comes with an EPS. And I don't think that there's any belt in an EPS.

Originally Posted by Kumaran93R

Also check for play and noise by turning the steering aggressiely when the car is stationary. It could indicate weak tie rods / ball joints or the steering rack itself.

Also, replace the battery with a temporary battery and check. Poor battery voltage causes lots of wierd issues in modern cars. Just ask the German car owners about it. ��

Gotten the whole rack replaced under my insurance but it still feels intermittently heavy.

You think BATTERY has a role in that? I thought it was the alternators job.. you sure?

Originally Posted by Laidbackakki

The alignment will not cause heavy steering, I know this from my conversation with a friend who owns an alignment shop and he is mighty good. IMHO this seems to be an issue of the steering rack. Also give a thought to the serpentine belt mentioned above.
Hope you get a speedy resolution to your issue.
Regards

The Rack has been replaced. It's an EPS, not sure if there's any belt involved.

[nirmaljusdoit]

Please check the power steering motor if its functioning correctly. If there is an issue with the motor, the assistance will be affected. Have you suffered any kind of underbody impact ?

Please get your suspension bushes, tie rod end, steering end etc checked, better to get a full system scan done also to pinpoint any issues with the electrical system.

[lamborghini]

Originally Posted by dr.aviansh

The others feel marginally lighter than mine. I'm on 205/55 R16's and what about you?
Planning to downgrade to lower variants' 195/65 R15. What say? Do smaller alloys feel lighter?

Not sure about the smaller alloys, though narrower tyres could be make the steering a little lighter but not sure given its EPS and not HPS : I didn't notice a difference in my other EPS vehicles like the Laura.

I'm running the same size as you, will probably change tyres soon though same size.

Will try and see if I can get my hands on a similar vintage Corolla and try. Unfortunately none of my close friends and family have one.