Touchy steering question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
Touchy steering question
I have a 2005 with Z51. The steering is very touchy. The car tracks well but there is no play in the steering wheel. If I sneeze with my hand on the wheel I can end up in the next lane that's how touchy it is. The steering is very tight. Is this normal or did someone do something to it. Is there an adjustment to get a bit more play in the steering wheel?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 806
From: West coast CA
I have a 2005 with Z51. The steering is very touchy. The car tracks well but there is no play in the steering wheel. If I sneeze with my hand on the wheel I can end up in the next lane that's how touchy it is. The steering is very tight. Is this normal or did someone do something to it. Is there an adjustment to get a bit more play in the steering wheel?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
My steering has always felt TOO loose and has too much play, so I'm not sure what is going on with yours. I WISH the corvette had touchy steering...it would help it feel more alive and connected to the driver.
Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; Aug 6, 2013 at 05:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I have a 2005 with Z51. The steering is very touchy. The car tracks well but there is no play in the steering wheel. If I sneeze with my hand on the wheel I can end up in the next lane that's how touchy it is. The steering is very tight. Is this normal or did someone do something to it. Is there an adjustment to get a bit more play in the steering wheel?
The reason I ask, is it could be your point of reference as to what you are used to in terms of steering response.
Personally, I find the steering on my 2005 to be a little slow and dead (I understand it needs to be this way given it top speed potential of 186 mph)......but I'm used to driving sports cars all my life. I find trucks and SUVs to have horrible steering. See what I mean!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
Is this your first Corvette? What do you normally drive?
The reason I ask, is it could be your point of reference as to what you are used to in terms of steering response.
Personally, I find the steering on my 2005 to be a little slow and dead (I understand it needs to be this way given it top speed potential of 186 mph)......but I'm used to driving sports cars all my life. I find trucks and SUVs to have horrible steering. See what I mean!!!
The reason I ask, is it could be your point of reference as to what you are used to in terms of steering response.
Personally, I find the steering on my 2005 to be a little slow and dead (I understand it needs to be this way given it top speed potential of 186 mph)......but I'm used to driving sports cars all my life. I find trucks and SUVs to have horrible steering. See what I mean!!!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Then like others have noted, it sounds like it is running with toe out. That will make a car turn-in quickly but be very unstable driving straight ahead.......espcially in the rain. I had that happen once on a P-car (944) and it could not be driven over 50 mph without violently darting all over the place.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 253
From: US-ARMY 1974-1996 Retired ; Oklahoma, City ; Atlanta, Ga: Hephzibah, Ga
I felt that with my 05 just wasn't stable enough like I didn't have full control at speeds 50-65. I expected the control I have with my bimmer. What I found out is the faster I drove it the better the control I have. 70 and above I don't find myself trying to keep the car in my lane. Maybe that's why she heads for the left lane every time I get on the express way more now after I installed the Magnaflows.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
As others said, I'd be looking at alignment, especially for any toe-out.
Our 2005 Z51 steering felt sloppy and unresponsive, exact opposite of OP. The 2009 is much better but that's not an option for him.
Our 2005 Z51 steering felt sloppy and unresponsive, exact opposite of OP. The 2009 is much better but that's not an option for him.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I agree, except this car car also tended to wander as if it had toe-OUT.
In any event, we had alignments with slight toe-IN, 0 toe, and slight toe-OUT. None of them solved the problem.
I finally fixed it by jacking up the license plate and installing a new 2009 Corvette.
In any event, we had alignments with slight toe-IN, 0 toe, and slight toe-OUT. None of them solved the problem.
I finally fixed it by jacking up the license plate and installing a new 2009 Corvette.