I think that tightening any looseness in the steering mechanisms is never a bad thing and can make wind push feel better to at least some degree, it is not really the root cause of wind push, IMO.
Wind push is primarily a function of physics and forces on the vehicle. Basically, a tire rolling straight ahead will move some amount sideways if any crossforce is put on it, like sidewind in the case of van wind push. This the commonly referred to slip angle that is the direction the tire goes compared to direction it is pointed.
The big problem in our vans is that the front has less weight and thus less traction on the front than the rear so that the front is more prone to moving further than the rear by a sideforce. This is the understeer term we hear a lot, where the vehicle will slide out on sharp turn with front sliding before the rear. How much force the front and rear is determined by the "center of pressure" of the vehicle, and that is just like center of gravity but for wind forces. The balance of the traction front and rear in relation to the sideforce of the wind and location of the center of pressure determine how much each end sees and moves over.
Tighter steering doesn't change the forces, but can reduce the amount of travel the steering wheel has to turn to move you back in a straight line which for most people makes the van easier to track straighter. Big steering wheel corrections tend to not be all that accurate compared to smaller ones, I think.
Understeer can be addressed by increasing front traction by adding stiffer springs and shocks in the rear, and especially big rear swaybars, based on my experience with our van and other vehicles. Higher front tire pressure also increases front traction to a point.
In an understeering vehicle the front will move over more than the rear in a crosswind so not only do you need to correct you position on the road, you need to correct the actual direction you are pointed and that makes it more difficult to do correctly in winds that aren't consistent.
Minimizing understeer so you get a front/rear balance of traction that is better makes it all easier. The van still is going to move over some, but the corrections get much smaller and easier to do so you don't notice you moved over as much. The van rocking from the sidewind and the associated changes in front steering position are separate but also helped by the same spring stiffening and rear swaybars.
I am not big fan of AI research but this one that came up on Google is not bad at summarizing 3 articles that are very tech and math intensive.
A vehicle susceptible to understeer can have its handling and stability significantly impacted by side winds
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Here's how side winds interact with understeering vehicles:
1. Increased front tire slip angle
- Side winds push the vehicle laterally, particularly at the front.
- This lateral force increases the slip angle of the front tires, meaning they are pointed further than the direction they are actually traveling.
- When a vehicle is already prone to understeer, this increased front slip angle can exacerbate the loss of front tire grip, leading to a wider turning radius than intended.
2. Reduced yaw stability
- Crosswinds exert a yawing moment (a twisting force) on the vehicle, pushing it sideways and rotating it around its vertical axis.
- This yawing moment can be particularly destabilizing for vehicles with a forward center of pressure (aerodynamic center) and those already prone to understeer.
- The driver needs to make corrective steering inputs to counter this yawing moment and maintain the desired path, which can further highlight the understeer tendency.
3. Interaction with vehicle speed
- The effect of side wind forces and the resulting understeer tendency increase significantly with vehicle speed.
- Higher speeds make the aerodynamic forces more dominant, meaning that drivers need to be especially cautious in crosswinds.
4. Other contributing factors
- Tire condition: Worn tires with low tread or improper inflation can further reduce grip and exacerbate understeer under side wind conditions.
- Suspension settings: A softer suspension can increase body roll and pitch, potentially making the vehicle more susceptible to understeer and the effects of crosswinds.
- Vehicle type: Vehicles with a larger frontal area, like SUVs or vans, are more significantly impacted by side winds due to the increased surface area for the wind to push against.
In summary
Understeering vehicles are particularly vulnerable to the effects of side winds, experiencing increased front tire slip angles, reduced yaw stability, and amplified destabilization at higher speeds. Factors like tire condition, suspension settings, and vehicle type also play a role in how a vehicle responds to these side wind push forces.
