steering wheel play
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Joined: Aug 2009
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steering wheel play
I own an 05 VR coupe with 35k on it and have always since I bought the car two years ago noticed a slight play in the steering wheel when driving. Is this looseness normal or common with 05 vettes. I had a very respected local corvette mechanic look at it and he said it is normal. I am not so sure about that especially for a sports car? The steering wheel moves ever so slightly back and forth when driving so I feel I am always correcting when driving straight. It almost feels like the steering doesn't engage if you move it just off center (hope this explains the feel). I really feel there should be an immediate response and stiffness to the steering. Anyone else experience this steering or related steering issues with an 05. I will be taking it to another shop to get an opinion, just hope someone could give me some advice before I go. Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Ambler Pa.
I own an 05 VR coupe with 35k on it and have always since I bought the car two years ago noticed a slight play in the steering wheel when driving. Is this looseness normal or common with 05 vettes. I had a very respected local corvette mechanic look at it and he said it is normal. I am not so sure about that especially for a sports car? The steering wheel moves ever so slightly back and forth when driving so I feel I am always correcting when driving straight. It almost feels like the steering doesn't engage if you move it just off center (hope this explains the feel). I really feel there should be an immediate response and stiffness to the steering. Anyone else experience this steering or related steering issues with an 05. I will be taking it to another shop to get an opinion, just hope someone could give me some advice before I go. Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If your front wheels are toed out you will get some wandering and if your caster isn't set properly you will get some as well. I don't have any play in the steering on my 08 and didn't have any on my 03, 97, 86, 71 or 69.
Bill
Bill
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My 07 has had play since it was new - the dealer told me that this is normal - weird thing is that any other car I have owned has never had play.
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In my car you can move the steering about half an inch and there will be no response from the wheel. None of my other cars exhibit this "play."
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I still don't have the issue resolved...another mechanic did look at steering column with the hood up and the car running and did notice the "play" in the column when turning the wheel slightly right and left while the car was not moving. He could see where the steering shaft connects to the steering box is where the " sloppiness" occurs. (if I am describing the correct parts not being a mechanic). He seems to think that is the way it is designed also. I would appreciate anyone's opinion on this besides saying your vette does or does not do this. Does anyone have a possible fix ? Thanks again.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I still don't have the issue resolved...another mechanic did look at steering column with the hood up and the car running and did notice the "play" in the column when turning the wheel slightly right and left while the car was not moving. He could see where the steering shaft connects to the steering box is where the " sloppiness" occurs. (if I am describing the correct parts not being a mechanic). He seems to think that is the way it is designed also. I would appreciate anyone's opinion on this besides saying your vette does or does not do this. Does anyone have a possible fix ? Thanks again.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Here is a picture of the steering column (black tube) connected to the steering box (silver). The column rotates slighty without engaging the box if this helps . The area circled in red is the issue, also notice the bolt at the end of the column, can this be adjusted to tighten the looseness?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
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I own an 05 VR coupe with 35k on it and have always since I bought the car two years ago noticed a slight play in the steering wheel when driving. Is this looseness normal or common with 05 vettes. I had a very respected local corvette mechanic look at it and he said it is normal. I am not so sure about that especially for a sports car? The steering wheel moves ever so slightly back and forth when driving so I feel I am always correcting when driving straight. It almost feels like the steering doesn't engage if you move it just off center (hope this explains the feel). I really feel there should be an immediate response and stiffness to the steering. Anyone else experience this steering or related steering issues with an 05. I will be taking it to another shop to get an opinion, just hope someone could give me some advice before I go. Thanks
