I always thought that power steering was better than rack and pinion, but the new escalade has rack and pinion. I know it takes more from your arms to turn with it, so why would they put that in the 07?

have you ever had your power steering go out when you have a big turn up ahead?

 

have you ever had your power steering go out when you have a big turn up ahead?

Nope.

 

The 07's have a power assisted Rack & Pinion.

 

I always thought that power steering was better than rack and pinion, but the new escalade has rack and pinion. I know it takes more from your arms to turn with it, so why would they put that in the 07?

A Rack and Pinion setup is loads cheaper, and lighter, and easier to manufacturer and maintain than the old idler and pitman arm setup. A Rack and Pinion gives more room for more powerful and larger motors. A Rack and Pinion reduces a vehicles weight by probably close to 50-100lbs (depending on the vehicle).

 

A Rack and Pinion setup is loads cheaper, and lighter, and easier to manufacturer and maintain than the old idler and pitman arm setup. A Rack and Pinion gives more room for more powerful and larger motors. A Rack and Pinion reduces a vehicles weight by probably close to 50-100lbs (depending on the vehicle).

All you said is its better than pitman arm setup. Why didnt they just go with power steering like other cars have? And 50-100 lbs isn't a big deal when you have a 3 ton suv.

 

Power assisted Rack & Pinion is the most common setup out there these days. It is what most "other cars" have. Seems like common sense to me that when your dealing with a big SUV or other large vehicle any weight savings is a plus for both fuel economy and performance.

 

Pitman is heavy duty, try turning the wheel with a rack and pinion against a curb you can feel something ready to brake. They have there advantages and disadvantages.

 

All you said is its better than pitman arm setup. Why didnt they just go with power steering like other cars have? And 50-100 lbs isn't a big deal when you have a 3 ton suv.

50-100lbs matters more than you'd think. Also it is better than a pitman/idler arm setup. We replace hundreds of idler and pitman arms compared to rack and pinions.

 

I always thought that power steering was better than rack and pinion, but the new escalade has rack and pinion. I know it takes more from your arms to turn with it, so why would they put that in the 07?

There are good points in the other posts but to me, the most important thing about Rack and Pinion is the fact it is Direct steering control.
When you're driving down the road your vehicle stays exactly where you keep the steering wheel,.. unlike the variable effort power steering in the 02-06 models that float all over the road while you're driving.
There is too much play between the steering wheel and where the wheels are actually pointed
Power steering is late 60's technology plain and simple.
GM is playing catch up and should have put Rack and Pinion in their big vehicles a long time ago.

 

Yes, as DIF says, the R & P design is simpler, but much better. The old system uses a circulating ball design, which doesn't translate the direction of the vehicle back to the steering wheel accurately, and allows the vehicle to float around while supposedly going straight.

The reason it's not so easy for R & P in a big vehicle (with power) is because you can have "play" in such a system. However, GM figured out how to "power assist" this type of steering. Most all "sport" and "performance" vehicles use R & P because of the more precise feel.

Dave

 

Lots of good points here.
I think the real reason is that racks systems are cheaper and lighter.
Saving pounds saves GM money, and although it may seem small when you produce millions of vehicles even saving 1 dollar per vehicle adds up to lots of money. Rack systems have been available in GM trucks for years (like Silverado) but usually only on light duty 2WD applications.

You want to see something crazy, look at a Z car malibu (new body style) or G6. They have electric power steering... no fluid at all, no pump.
The steering column is crazy looking and a rack and pinion with no fittings or hoses or anything?

I like the feel of rack steering much better than the gearbox with all the steering arms.

 

There's another point, to expound on one earlier made: rack and pinion not only is lighter, and much more responsive and precise, it also allows a center detente point - so you feel what straight ahead is - read: it's biased towards returning to straight ahead.

It's a driver's car feature. Big improvement. :thumbsup:

 

I love the way my new EXT feels. I have driven other vehicles that felt like they were "floating" and almost felt like i didnt have 100% feedback and control.

My EXT doesnt feel like that. I really dont know how to explain it but it just feels better, it feels like i am in complete control and the truck does exactly what i want it to.

 

I had a 1993 MR2 and it had electronic assisted steering b/c the engine was in the back. Great feedback and control, just what you need for a sports car. Either way, you really cant go wrong with rack and pinion steering. Just like everyone stated here, it is power steering, just a different way to do it. The previous systems on the GM trucks was definitely way overdue for an upgrade.

 

I love the way my new EXT feels. I have driven other vehicles that felt like they were "floating" and almost felt like i didnt have 100% feedback and control.

My EXT doesnt feel like that. I really dont know how to explain it but it just feels better, it feels like i am in complete control and the truck does exactly what i want it to.

I have an '06 EXT at the moment and that's one of the biggest reasons I'm getting rid of it in favor of an '07 ESV... I can't stand the disconnected feeling of the '06. My wife loves the "floating" sensation, but I need to feel/control the road. Apparently I'm not alone and the R&P is a welcome change for '07.