Loose Steering Wheel
03-27-2018, 09:08 PM
#1
Loose Steering Wheel
I picked up a 2015 Z51 last week with 12K miles on it. I test drove it in Texas and had it shipped to Michigan on a covered trailer. This week I noticed that the alignment is off and the car pulls to the right when the wheel is straight. I understand that can happen during delivery via truck. What worries me is the steering wheel seems loose too. When it’s parked or in drive I can move it up and down ever so slightly. The steering colum is tight and has no movement. Just the steering wheel. It’s still under warranty so I am taking it to the dealership tomorrow. Any idea what this could be?
Last edited by BMF82; 03-28-2018 at 02:00 AM. Reason: Typo
03-27-2018, 09:39 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
I picked up a 2015 Z51 last week with 12K miles on it. I test drove it in Texas and had it shipped to Michigan on a covered trailer. This week I noticed that the alignment is off and the car pulls to the right when the wheel is straight. I understand that can happen during deliver via truck. What worries me is the steering wheel seems loose too. When it’s parked or in drive I can move it up and down ever so slightly. The steering colum is tight and has no movement. Just the steering wheel. It’s still under warranty so I am taking it to the dealership tomorrow. Any idea what this could be?
If it is still off, you may need to check the alignment to make sure they centered the wheel when the toe in was set.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; 03-27-2018 at 09:42 PM.
03-27-2018, 09:53 PM
#3
Race Director
Doesn't sound serious so I wouldn't worry about it. Take it in like you are planning and see what they say. I'm sure its not a big deal.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; 03-27-2018 at 10:08 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by PatternDayTrader:
BMF82 (03-28-2018),
Rebel Yell (03-28-2018)
03-28-2018, 05:04 PM
#4
Mine also has a slight movement of the wheel which I think is just clearances in the electric column. If the car steers right with the wheel straight, it could just be the crown in the road so you might test it on a different road surface, or drive in a different lane and see if it still goes the same direction.
If it is still off, you may need to check the alignment to make sure they centered the wheel when the toe in was set.
If it is still off, you may need to check the alignment to make sure they centered the wheel when the toe in was set.
03-28-2018, 05:21 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
I want my cars to stay point straight when I hit the brakes hard. I even test it when no one is around me on an open straight road. At 55mph I release my fingers from the wheel then apply the brakes fairly hard if it pulled left or right (which it doesn’t) I would bring it in for a check and a alignment if necessary.
03-28-2018, 05:26 PM
#6
Team Owner
check the nut behind the steering wheel.
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BMF82 (03-28-2018)
03-28-2018, 05:27 PM
#7
Race Director
Thank you everyone for the replies. As a new Corvette owner it's really nice to have this forum to use as a resource. Here is what happened at the dealer today and maybe this could help some of you as well. I took it in for a transmission flush and software update and MRC update too. Both were done at no cost and here is why. The trans software update resolves a problem with the software and this requires a transmission flush so since the car is under warranty they said there is no cost for either. The other issue with the loose steering wheel is not normal and they want to take the steering column apart and see what might need to be replaced. This will require the car to be kept for 2 days while they tear it down and order the parts - also under warranty. For some reason, they gave me the MRC update at no cost. Not sure why.
You might be waiting around more that 2 days if they order parts, but its best to get it all handled now before the weather starts getting good.
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BMF82 (03-28-2018)
03-28-2018, 10:32 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Thank you everyone for the replies. As a new Corvette owner it's really nice to have this forum to use as a resource. Here is what happened at the dealer today and maybe this could help some of you as well. I took it in for a transmission flush and software update and MRC update too. Both were done at no cost and here is why. The trans software update resolves a problem with the software and this requires a transmission flush so since the car is under warranty they said there is no cost for either. The other issue with the loose steering wheel is not normal and they want to take the steering column apart and see what might need to be replaced. This will require the car to be kept for 2 days while they tear it down and order the parts - also under warranty. For some reason, they gave me the MRC update at no cost. Not sure why.
03-28-2018, 10:43 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2005
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Thank you everyone for the replies. As a new Corvette owner it's really nice to have this forum to use as a resource. Here is what happened at the dealer today and maybe this could help some of you as well. I took it in for a transmission flush and software update and MRC update too. Both were done at no cost and here is why. The trans software update resolves a problem with the software and this requires a transmission flush so since the car is under warranty they said there is no cost for either. The other issue with the loose steering wheel is not normal and they want to take the steering column apart and see what might need to be replaced. This will require the car to be kept for 2 days while they tear it down and order the parts - also under warranty. For some reason, they gave me the MRC update at no cost. Not sure why.
03-29-2018, 12:04 AM
#10
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
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Thank you everyone for the replies. As a new Corvette owner it's really nice to have this forum to use as a resource. Here is what happened at the dealer today and maybe this could help some of you as well. I took it in for a transmission flush and software update and MRC update too. Both were done at no cost and here is why. The trans software update resolves a problem with the software and this requires a transmission flush so since the car is under warranty they said there is no cost for either. The other issue with the loose steering wheel is not normal and they want to take the steering column apart and see what might need to be replaced. This will require the car to be kept for 2 days while they tear it down and order the parts - also under warranty. For some reason, they gave me the MRC update at no cost. Not sure why.
Is the car pulling to the right or do you need to turn the steering to the right to get it to go straight? There is a difference. A pull will cause the car to turn in the direction of the pull while a thrust angle error will cause the rear wheels to point the thrust to one side or the other. To counteract the thrust angle the front wheels have to be turned the same amount in the same direction. This results in the car going straight down the road but slightly sideways (Dogwalking). Thrust angle problems are resolved by adjusting rear toe so both rear wheels have equal amounts of toe in opposite directions.
Bill
03-29-2018, 11:36 AM
#11
The loose steering wheel could be due to the previous owner. Do you have any pictures of the PO? Large people tend to use the steering wheel to leverage themselves into and out of the car. That eventually leads to a loose steering wheel since it wasn't designed as a human body support.
Is the car pulling to the right or do you need to turn the steering to the right to get it to go straight? There is a difference. A pull will cause the car to turn in the direction of the pull while a thrust angle error will cause the rear wheels to point the thrust to one side or the other. To counteract the thrust angle the front wheels have to be turned the same amount in the same direction. This results in the car going straight down the road but slightly sideways (Dogwalking). Thrust angle problems are resolved by adjusting rear toe so both rear wheels have equal amounts of toe in opposite directions.
Bill
Is the car pulling to the right or do you need to turn the steering to the right to get it to go straight? There is a difference. A pull will cause the car to turn in the direction of the pull while a thrust angle error will cause the rear wheels to point the thrust to one side or the other. To counteract the thrust angle the front wheels have to be turned the same amount in the same direction. This results in the car going straight down the road but slightly sideways (Dogwalking). Thrust angle problems are resolved by adjusting rear toe so both rear wheels have equal amounts of toe in opposite directions.
Bill
03-29-2018, 08:11 PM
#12
The loose steering wheel could be due to the previous owner. Do you have any pictures of the PO? Large people tend to use the steering wheel to leverage themselves into and out of the car. That eventually leads to a loose steering wheel since it wasn't designed as a human body support.
Is the car pulling to the right or do you need to turn the steering to the right to get it to go straight? There is a difference. A pull will cause the car to turn in the direction of the pull while a thrust angle error will cause the rear wheels to point the thrust to one side or the other. To counteract the thrust angle the front wheels have to be turned the same amount in the same direction. This results in the car going straight down the road but slightly sideways (Dogwalking). Thrust angle problems are resolved by adjusting rear toe so both rear wheels have equal amounts of toe in opposite directions.
Bill
Is the car pulling to the right or do you need to turn the steering to the right to get it to go straight? There is a difference. A pull will cause the car to turn in the direction of the pull while a thrust angle error will cause the rear wheels to point the thrust to one side or the other. To counteract the thrust angle the front wheels have to be turned the same amount in the same direction. This results in the car going straight down the road but slightly sideways (Dogwalking). Thrust angle problems are resolved by adjusting rear toe so both rear wheels have equal amounts of toe in opposite directions.
Bill
04-28-2018, 03:30 PM
#13
The dealer ended up replacing the steering column and giving the car an alignment. Problem solved. All under warrenty too.