Electric Power Steering
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 43
From: Henderson NV
Electric Power Steering
I received my 2021 Conv from MacMulkin on 25Jan at the Museum on 25Jan and had it shipped home - received on 28Jan. It is a 3Lt Conv, non-Z51 with, mag ride & front lift. Current mileage is 2020. Since receiving I am getting some feedback, a feeling through the steering wheel like there is something like a bad wheel bearing. I have jacked-up the car and with no weight on the front wheels there no drag or noise from a bad wheel bearing or dragging/warped brake rotor as I spin it by hand. During a recent 600mi weekend trip to Scottsdale AZ, the feeling from the steering wheel increased from a not-so-smooth highway versus - when on a nice/new asphalt. Is front tire "noise" being transmitted through the steering system to the steering wheel? The driving mode I am in does not make any difference. The intensity of the feeling from the steering wheel does hot appear to be getting worse. There are no other indications or problems with this dream car.. I had did not experience anything similar with my 2015 Z51 steering.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,975
Likes: 6,778
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Let me see if I understand correctly, it's been the same sensation ever since you've had the car ("Since receiving I am getting some feedback...), yet you've driven it 2020 miles without taking it in for inspection? Get it to a dealer. Hopefully, to find what you are experiencing. All the best. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
A bad wheel bearing feel ? So are you talking a vibration ? A clunking ? Its not easy to understand your issue with the term bad wheel bearing feeling. Could it be a tire balance issue ? something stuck in a tire not causing a leak but a feeling in the steering wheel ?
Last edited by diehrd; May 13, 2021 at 07:51 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 43
From: Henderson NV
There is no vibration, such as associated with wheel balance or a pulsating brake pedal associated with a break rotor. It is only noticeable through a feel in the steering wheel. I had another C8 owner drive the car and he did not detect any problems. I am intent in providing the dealer's service department the best possible problem description prior to bring it in. Thanks to all for your assistance.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
Why is it people can be out and out DICKS and nothing. But if you attack those being dicks you get banned or suspended..HEY MODERATORS do your jobs fairly or not at all .. No matter what all this poster did was ask a question & gave facts. And then was ridiculed like he is some *** hat.. WTF is that all about ?
Last edited by diehrd; May 13, 2021 at 05:56 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,446
Likes: 8,609
OP, I thought your description was adequate, and I thought I knew what you were experiencing. I have experienced the steering feedback in conventional steering with a bad front wheel bearing. Seems so far that no one else who responded has had this problem. I do agree with the advice to get it to the dealer, and you said you are doing that. I will be curious to know what it was. For me, it raised a question - how does the electric steering accomplish steering feedback anyway?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 43
From: Henderson NV
OP, I thought your description was adequate, and I thought I knew what you were experiencing. I have experienced the steering feedback in conventional steering with a bad front wheel bearing. Seems so far that no one else who responded has had this problem. I do agree with the advice to get it to the dealer, and you said you are doing that. I will be curious to know what it was. For me, it raised a question - how does the electric steering accomplish steering feedback anyway?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,446
Likes: 8,609
I dont have my C8 yet, its due later this month so I can't comment on specific C8 steering feel. Mine will have the leather wrapped wheel. This has peaked my interest in how electric steering works though, and how feedback is accomplished. I was just wondering if there is some kind of software control of the electric power assist that could create an undesired feel if it malfunctioned.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,845
Likes: 10,255
From: Garden Valley CA
I just had a long time sports car owner/driver drive the C8 and he did detect what he called "road feel" from the steering wheel and nothing concerning. I put 109K miles on our C6 and 65K on our 2015 Z51 and did not notice the same feeling on the steering wheel. Both previous Vettes had a leather covered steering wheel and our new C8 has the "sueded microfiber-wrapped" (RPO N26) steering wheel. Is it a possibility that more "road feel" is transmitted via a sueded steering wheel? Also the C8 steering wheel, column etc. is much closer to the front tires versus the C7. The C8 I drove during the Corvette Owner's School at Spring Mountain Motorsports recently was a Z51 with a leather wrapped steering, however I was too busy to notice a "road feel" on the steering wheel. Constructive comments much appreciated.
This is one of the features of a mid-engine car that make them desirable to people that appreciate the sports cars.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 213
Likes: 110
From: Scottsdale AZ
Try changing the steering mode from sport, or track or how ever you have it set up. if you get the same feeling from all of the settings take it in. Electric steering is a different feel especially in this car.
Sorry reread the post you tried different modes. my bad.
Sorry reread the post you tried different modes. my bad.
Last edited by rider1; May 15, 2021 at 12:24 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 110
From: New York
I received my 2021 Conv from MacMulkin on 25Jan at the Museum on 25Jan and had it shipped home - received on 28Jan. It is a 3Lt Conv, non-Z51 with, mag ride & front lift. Current mileage is 2020. Since receiving I am getting some feedback, a feeling through the steering wheel like there is something like a bad wheel bearing. I have jacked-up the car and with no weight on the front wheels there no drag or noise from a bad wheel bearing or dragging/warped brake rotor as I spin it by hand. During a recent 600mi weekend trip to Scottsdale AZ, the feeling from the steering wheel increased from a not-so-smooth highway versus - when on a nice/new asphalt. Is front tire "noise" being transmitted through the steering system to the steering wheel? The driving mode I am in does not make any difference. The intensity of the feeling from the steering wheel does hot appear to be getting worse. There are no other indications or problems with this dream car.. I had did not experience anything similar with my 2015 Z51 steering.
I just picked up my 2023 C8 and am noticing the same thing in the steering. Super Smooth road -all good. All else - scrape feel in steering. Never had road feel like that on my 911, Cayman or previous vette. Did you resolve. Or is that just road communication via the steering. Or the tires. Thanks