Fiat Coupe excessively light steering

I was tempted to post this in the GTV secion as the steering and front suspension are identical but here goes..

I have just got myself a Fiat Coupe 20VT, and since I have had it the steering has felt very light. And on taking it to a Coupe specialist for its cambelt they also commented on the fact the steering was very light, which has me worried.

Has anyone got any ideas as to what may be the cause? There is no play in the rack, and no nasty noises, but the lightness is very disconcerting at high speeds.. Could it be something as simple as tracking? They front tyres have worn on both outside edges on the passenger side and the outer edge on the driver side.

Many Thanks,
Simon.

I take it the tyres (front and rear)are at the correct pressure?

That would be my first guess too - over-inflation = too light steering.
My lack of mechanical knowledge limits my help to that I'm afraid

Tyre pressures first and then I would get the tracking checked

I forgot to mention, the tyre pressures were the first thing I looked at.
The manual states that the front should be 2.7 Bar, which I thought was quite high, but if thats what they are meant to be..

Yeah, I do remember being amazed at how high the front pressures are supposed to be.

They guy where I got my cambelt done seems to think it could be a stuck valve in the pump, allowing the steering to be light all of the time. He is certain its not the rack.
It might also be that someone has used the incorrect fluid in the system.

I might try changing it but I am not sure about how to..

Aren't they sealed units? i.e. there is no reservoir to fill?? Seem to recall I had a suspected leak on my old coupe and power steering fluid and it not being fillable was mentioned by someone...

Course.. I could be talking utter sh1te!

Apparently you can drain the fluid by disconnecting the return hose to the reservoir then turning the steering from side to side.

I still haven't got around to doing this job yet, but the steering seems to have got heavier on its own now that the car has been used.

It's maybe worth remembering that the steering is light on the GTV/Spider. It's just something you get used to.

Its been a long time since I drove a spider or GTV so my memory may be a bit jaded on these, but the steering is certainly a lot lighter than my previous 156..

The rack is related to the Marea 20v. It may be the same (will check..). After all, everything else underneath, give or take a strut or two, is the same. My mother's Marea (make that ex Marea ) had daft light steering. She liked it, but I wasn't happy with the weighting. That's why I sold it to her
It was quick and direct but too lacking in feel for me.

..my coop has pretty light steering..i just thought that was the way they are.....id prefer a wee bit more feel, but im sure all the italian playboy wannabes need this extra assistance to steer with one hand as they gesticulate to pretty girls out the open window with the other......lets call it a 'national characteristic' of the car eh??...

Yep, I found my steering light too. Especially compared to my last car (new Mini Cooper). It took some getting used to because it doesn't really inspire confidence. I find it abit light an vague around the staight ahead but ok with some lock wound on. I think this is where the Coupe now shows its age. Got used to it now and hurl the Coop around corners no problem. Always keep my front pressures at 2.7bar, the car feels awful with any less.