Electric power steering sucks

[F14CRAZY]

My mom's '07 Cobalt LTZ is the vehicle in question. My girlfriend and I took it up north to Traverse City over New Year's (Forester is awaiting a clutch job).

I know this "first generation" GM electric power steering sucked in comparison to the systems they have now but it's like at speeds other than parking maneuvering speeds the wheel wants to rip itself out of your hands. Why's it feel so "heavy"? My arms became tired just from driving a couple hours on US-131.

My Forester with its "numb" hydraulic power steering (as some reviews have called it) feels much better. Personally I'd rather feel as little as possible (as in my '74 LeSabre).

This is more of a rant than anything else...but any comments?

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

I had a car with something busted in the steering that made it numb, and it freaked me out a little. I don't even wear gloves when driving just to feel the wheel better. I dunno, it makes me feel comfortable driving faster

I thought one of the better steering I had was on a Mazda with a missing PS pump belt. When parking it was a bitch, but when on the road at 70 mph it felt 10 times better than with the pump working.

[ponchoman49]

I would get that checked out pronto. This generation of electric steering has several known issues including interference and actual electric assist cut out due to a faulty alternator ground strap. The actual power steering assembly can also be suspect as I have seen many in these cars over the years being replaced. Weren't these car's recalled for a steering related issue?