What causes heavy steering and how to manage it? A query from a member with an MGBGTV8 was – “I have fitted 185/65 R15 tyres on 15” Minilite wheels and my steering is really heavy and stiff. Have I made a mistake? Should I have fitted 14” wheels?” In a note Victor Smith sets out the factors that can create heavy steering and how they can be managed or avoided. Link to the note Links: Brown & Gammons Clive Wheatley mgv8parts Updated: 250530 Posted: 250525 Factors causing steering to feel heavy on an MGV8 The main factor causing the steering to feel heavy is the amount of rubber in contact with the road surface and also how, over the years since the MGBGTV8 model was launched in 1973 tyre technology has improved so the grip of tyres has improved. That has given better braking and road handling but that increase in grip has also contributed to the heavier feel of the steering. Another factor is how as drivers we have become conditioned to the steering on modern cars feeling so much easier, requiring much less effort with the benefit of power assisted steering systems. In contrast with an MGBTV8, or an MGRV8 without PAS, the effort needed to turn the steering when not moving is considerable. The accepted driving style that was almost a natural habit back in the 1970s was to keep the car moving at a very slow rate when turning – for example when parking the car in a small. Many driving an MGV8 today use that method to avoid a heavy steering effort and for some older owners with experience of driving cars before PAS became a popular feature, do so without thinking because the feel of the steering when driving an MGV8 brings back that earlier driving style. Other factors Ron Gammons mentioned that “almost all types of tyre are now radial and they tend to be heavier on the steering due to the flex in the wall of the tyre. A further factor is the size of the steering wheel – there is a reason why the MGB originally came with a wheel that “could have come from a bus!” It has a lighter steering effort. If a small steering wheel is fitted, particularly with a thin wooden rim, it’s more difficult to grip and apply the turning force. There is the castor angle issue too.” See a note on castor angle. Link Malcolm Gammons added “many people look in the V8 handbook and still run very low front tyre pressures. With the tyres we have now a pressure close to 30lbs in the front is much better than 21-26lbs noted in the handbook. The other main point is you need to check the king pins still turn, we do now supply a king pin with a needle roller at the top which we call the easy steer as it does take a good amount of the load from the king pin away". On the subject of heavy steering Jim Livingstone said "I have to confess that my initial impression of my MGBGTV8 was that the steering effort was far too heavy at low speeds and resolved to fit PAS at the earliest opportunity. It had been years since I had driven an unassisted car and the manoeuvring effort of the MG rather spoiled my driving enjoyment. The car was fitted with 15" wheels shod with 185/65 tyres and equipped with a 13" steering wheel so the result was not surprising. At least it was addressable and I am happy with the results from fitting an EZ EPAS which I wrote up in V8NOTE591. See V8NOTE591 The response to the member's question of heavy steering has covered most of the possible causes with the exception of a tight steering rack (caused by damage) and seized kingpins (resulting from poor maintenance) which could be detected by raising the front wheels - in this condition the steering effort should be very low". V8 information and support See our popular V8NOTES listing, information gateways, top tips, spares and services specialists and spares for sale and wanted. V8 Workshop Notes Information Gateways Top tips for new V8 enthusiasts Technical topics Spares & services specialists V8 spares for sale and wanted