Thump when locking front wheels
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Thump when locking front wheels
I should know this and have have always been told to avoid actually locking the steering wheel "all the way" to the right or left when making a turn, but last night I was in a parking lot and had no choice but to turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and as I started to move forward the right front wheel made a thump/pop as I started to move forward and I could feel the backlash in the steering wheel. (felt like what I would imagine a CV joint would sound like if it were in a bind). I don't recall ever locking the steering wheel all the way to the right before, but the only recent change I made a few weeks ago was adding the C6-Z51 Sway bars w/metal links.
What causes this?
Is this normal?
What causes this?
Is this normal?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Its probably just the normal alignment which causes the wheels to hop a little when turning full turn. I feel this all the time when backing out of tight spaces and so on.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
I knew it was not a good idea with power steering to lock the steering wheel for long, but I don't think it is normal to have anything mechanically binding?
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay Florida
Just Fixed Mine
Just fixed mine and posted a cure on this forum yesterday. After several attempts to repair an '04 Z06 with 14,000 miles and stock tires, we found that the wheel weights on the inside of the wheel are hitting the suspension when the steering is turned to lock. Mine was on the right side and had fallen off and was on top of the upper ball joint when inspected. It was obvious that it was hitting the suspension as it was warn. Had the tires/wheels rebalanced and sticky weights installed and problem cured.
Good Luck, Richard
Good Luck, Richard
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Well, if it wasn't the wheel weights as described above, in my case, its the wheel popping up and sliding across the ground when the steering is cranked all the way over and back up, so there is no fix.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Just fixed mine and posted a cure on this forum yesterday. After several attempts to repair an '04 Z06 with 14,000 miles and stock tires, we found that the wheel weights on the inside of the wheel are hitting the suspension when the steering is turned to lock. Mine was on the right side and had fallen off and was on top of the upper ball joint when inspected. It was obvious that it was hitting the suspension as it was warn. Had the tires/wheels rebalanced and sticky weights installed and problem cured.
Good Luck, Richard
Good Luck, Richard
Guess I will put it in the air and see what is going on.
