So over this long winter I swapped out my standard leather C7 wheel for a suede Z06 flat bottom wheel. When I took it out today it was obvious that the wheel was put on a spline or 2 off.

I disconnected the battery and removed the wheel. This time the clock spring came off and the ribbon cable unwound. I wound it back up and reinstalled the wheel and it is now straight.

I started the car and as soon as I start moving I get a "Service rear Axle" message followed by "Service Stabilitrack System". Not sure what this could have to do with the wheel replacement. Perhaps just a coincidence?

The other issue I'm sure I caused. The turn signal will no longer shut off after turning. If I jerk the wheel hard the opposite way it will turn off.

So I assume I did not put the clock spring back correctly. Anyone have any suggestions or should I just take to the dealer? I can now get the wheel off in about 10 minutes so if someone has any guidance on how I could fix, would be greatly appreciated.

 

That sucks! I would first start by getting a new clock spring.

It's very possible the clockspring you reinstalled is causing the service messages to pop up.

My guess is that the stabilitrac system needs to know where the wheel is and how much it's turned.

As for the axle message, not sure. Did you disconnect your battery to do the wheel?

If so recheck your battery connection and make sure it's tight as that will cause a service rear axle message.

 

The clock spring is most likely not in the center position. Its been over a year since I did my wheel but there should be a mark that lines up in the little window when its turned in the center position. You will get that exact warning if it is not centered.

Ask me how I know...

 

Thanks for your advice. I managed to get it fixed.

My son and I took the wheel off again, this time we used painters tape across the wheel to column and cut it so we had a reference for putting the wheel back on correctly.

When the wheel came off we realized the problem was worse than we thought. Not only was the clock spring not aligned but somehow one of the clips on the inner piece of the clock spring broke and another was bent. I was sure it was going to need to go to the dealer.

I looked at it for about 10 minutes and wound the inner portion by turning it counter clockwise. My son was then able to line up the outer portion of the clock spring window with the yellow mark on the inner portion and had 2 of the 3 clips holding. We then worked together to hold the clock spring together while we put the wheel on ensuring the tape put on earlier lined up. We tightened the wheel and reconnected the main cable then re installed the airbag. Connected the negative to the battery and started it up.

The "Service Rear Axle" message came on. We backed it out and took it down the road. No "Service Stabilitrack System" message appears. We then checked the signals and the stalk was snapping back after making lefts and rights just like it should.

We then took it out for 40 minutes since it was 47 and a veritable heatwave for us. After returning home we shut the car off, started it back up and now the "Service Rear Axle" message is no longer appearing.

So now I have to figure out whether I should order a new clock spring, just in case.

Thanks again for your help!

 

Glad you got it resolved. Keep your eye on any adverse reactions to the broken clip.

 

Spline or 2 off...how's that possible?

 

I would not have thought it was possible looking the wheel hub either but going straight on a very straight road, the wheel was canted to the right When I did it the second time I went too far then the wheel was canted to the left. The third time I nailed it but screwed up the clock spring.

I did order a new one. It was 45 bucks.

 

I'd love to get that suede wheel. Expensive? If done slowly, will it be a big
job to swap it out? Thanx.

 

$325 shipped...10 minute swap
sold stock wheel for $175

 

Not a big job. You just have to be very careful with the clock spring. I was also told (on this forum) there is no way to put the wheel on wrong and that is 100% incorrect. The wheel spline looks keyed but I called my local GM dealer and spoke to their Corvette specialist and he said it is absolutely possible to put it on in the wrong position. He says he has had to correct 2 already.

My advice is put a piece of tape from the wheel to the column and cut it between wheel and column so it is easy to get it back on in the right position. If I had done this the first time, I would not have had to redo it twice more and would have not messed up the clock spring. It is easy to fix once you know how but it was still a PITA.

I have never seen the suede Z06 wheels for under 400 bucks. C7Jake got some kind of great deal but his wheel is not suede, it's leather. I'm on the internet 16 hours a day for work so I know how to search and I was unable to find anything close to his price. I got mine from Cultrag at it was 409 shipped.

C7Jake also got much luckier selling his stock wheel. I put mine up on eBay and it sold for 100 bucks plus 70 shipping as it went to Turkey. My brother sold one for 229 on eBay so not sure why mine didn't do as well. Maybe because has 30K feedback and I only have 350. Mine is 100% though.

 

Thanx for the info.I just love the tactile feel of suede. Cultrag
is probably where to get it.

 

Had the same centering problem. To the right by about 3 degrees. Second time nailed it.

 

Exactly!