Have We Solved The Steering Vibration On The Freeway?

[WNBAMiamiSol]

I think my CTS was built in January 08. For me, from "mile 1" on the freeway, the steering wheel literally jumped in my hands. At above 65, it was nearly impossible to hold the steering wheel. Even though I posted this 100+ threads back, I'll do the short version again.
The dealership road forced balanced all tires. Found two "unacceptable" at above 20 on the RFB scale. Dealership replaced them. Back to the freeway. Vibration just as bad. You could also feel this same vibration with your knee against the "hump."
Took another CTS 3.6DI same as mine out for a drive. No vibration. Swapped those wheels onto my car. Same vibration. RFB'ed the tires and found all at 9. Back onto the road. Vibration same. Back in to dealership. RFB yet again to reconfirm. All 4 tires still at 9.
In all, they road forced balanced 5 sets of Michelin Sport Pilots, 6 times and replaced 2 tires. Nothing eliminated the vibration.
Big thumbs up that Williamson replaced the CTS at this point without making me go thru the Lemon Law process. I selected a vibration-free LOADED CTS (3.6 DI FE2 package, PAINTED 18's with Michelin Sport MTX tires) that cost about $5k more, so I think they were happy with the 'exchange.'

[lavaman]

Originally Posted by DMill

Thanks for the clarification ... I am mainly concerned about ANY feedback felt thru the steering wheel. This would exclude "drone", but include "vibration" and "shimmy". It would be nice to be able to put a YES or NO in the following matrix:
......... Vibration? Shimmy?
RWD:
AWD:
Reason for asking: I feel that I am developing a "CTS fever".
Again, appreciate any inputs. In the meantime, I'll do some reading.

DMILL, I am going to try to explain the difference in terms. I don't feel that you necessarily do not understand the difference, I am entering this (Long winded) post hopefully for the benefit of all. It is much easier to assist others if when they post a question we all understand exactly which symptom they are reffering.

The term "Shimmy" should be used when describing a shake felt either in the steering wheel (usually seen as well) through the floor and seat 0r both. A shimmy is produced by one or more of the moving objects rotating along with the wheels/tires. 99% of the time a shimmy is the result of incorrect tire balance, a defective or damaged tire, or an out-of-round wheel (Either manufacturing defect or bent/damaged from an impact.) Shimmy can also be a result of a bad drive axle, rotor, hub or the mating of any of these related components (However much less likely.)

My car had a "Shimmy". It was caused by faulty tires. It developed around 60 mph and you could watch the steering wheel oscilate back and forth about 1/4" in unison with every rotation of the tires. The dealer replaced 2 tires and now all is good. Some folks who have posted to this thread have had the same symptom as my car and received the same correction as I but have incorrectly referred to their cars symptom as a "Vibration". (It can be quite confusing) "Shimmy" is not limited to any one car. Every car is subject to developing a shimmy at any time.

"Drone/vibration" usually originates from within the trans, transfer case, prop shaft, diffs or connecting joints. These components are rotating about 3 1/2 times faster than the tires. The resulting vibration is of a much greater frequency and can also be felt and sometimes heard throughout the car (Including the steering wheel.) I am unsure if the "Drone/Vibration" is limited to a particular CTS configuration.

Hope this is useful to all.

Doug

[Southern]

And, although the problem(s) can be intermittent, they generally are not.
Therefore don't do what some of our erstwhile members MUST have done.........don't buy the car without road testing it.
And if you road test and still want THAT one, don't buy the car without the problem being fixed.
There are many.......... the overwhelming majority actually................... of the CTS' that do NOT have these problem(s).

On the vibration issue........get a second opinion from a friend relative etc that is a car guy.
The CTS is a performance automobile. You will be more aware of the mechanics on this car than you will on a "traditional" cadillac.
Or even a "traditional" Honda or MB or Chevy.
My CTS had none of these "problems", but if you put your hand on the shifter (Auto)...you could feel the mechanical whirring of gears. Perfectly normal for this car.
You could feel little kicks, and ticks and movements in the steering wheel....perfectly normal in this car.

Doug's descriptions should be utilized.
It should be obvious that some "fixes" such as the Road Force Balance (the very best way to balance both the tire and the wheel and the brake rotor, etc) are not going to help much if you have a "vibration".
Much as Re-indexing the drive shaft is not going to help a shimmy. At all.

And ALWAYS, try another dealer if your dealer is not going to make it work.
Yes, the levels of expertise of shop personnel varies.
Some guys are just born to the game, some are bulldogs and WILL Fix anything you bring them eventually, some have recv'd more and better training.........and some couldn't fix
a car at the level of a High School shop class.

And guys, if you can't afford to just walk away from a car that is unfixable after a fair amount of time (3 months?), there is nothing wrong with going to the lemon law (or using it as leverage, as WNBA kinda did...) and get your self into another car. Maybe another CTS if the dealership is reasonable.
Google the lemon law for your state (Yes it is different in every state), figure out what must be done.....# of times in for the same repair, #days not available, etc and set it up.
Even if you know they can't fix it......take it in for the third time anyway, for instance..............Life is too short to drive a great car with an annoying problem.


Southern

[DMill]

lavaman and Southern - Thanks much for your very informative comments ... and to all the others that have contributed to this topic. I think if a dealer gives me any static, I can just show them this lengthy thread on the subject and it will convince them to think otherwise.

You can bet that ... (IF I can convince my wife that we "need" a car) ... I will definitely drive the specific CTS that we're interested in before making any commitments.

BTW, I am a "car-guy" with few biases; if it's fun, I like it! Here's what's been keeping me young ...
* My straight line car, go here. <== Drop me a vote!
For another photo taken 10/19/08, go here.
* My car for the "twisties", go here. <== Scroll down the page

[MoFex]

lavaman, Southern

You have summarized the issue very well! Unfortunately many people do not know how to describe the problem. I had the “drone” one. I actually calculated the shaft rotating frequency and knew this was the problem. I took a day off from work to make sure all my issues are solved. I helped the dealer to diagnose and solve the problem. Had I not done it I am sure I still would be stuck with it.

The “shimmy” most likely is caused by what lavamen described. Again it takes skills to solve it.

One thing for sure - do not expect Cadillac to be problem free! It has more, at least initially than any car I have ever owned! I have to be honest though that last 8 months it has been a good car.

If one wants to loose the road feel - get a set of 16” wheels and get soft tires. You will be please with ride, forget about steering response though….

[Caddue]

Southern

Your suggestion for the Lemon Law does nothing for those of us with this problem that have leased their cars. Cadillac NEEDS to come up with a fix.

MoFex

What did your dealer do to repair the drone problem? Re-indexing and replacing the drive shaft did nothing for me.

[MoFex]

Caddue,

reindexing the drive shaft solved the problem. Or rather made is almost undetectable.....I can live with it now...

[Southern]

Originally Posted by Caddue

Southern

Your suggestion for the Lemon Law does nothing for those of us with this problem that have leased their cars. Cadillac NEEDS to come up with a fix.

MoFex

What did your dealer do to repair the drone problem? Re-indexing and replacing the drive shaft did nothing for me.

Caddue
Where are you from?

I am NOT going to lookup all 50 states, but let me assure you that in some, many, most, or all of the states, It doesn't make a rats ass whether you bought a car or leased it, you are protected by that states lemon law.
States that I KNOW cover leases are places like FL and CA and PA and NY and GA and NJ and MI............

[Caddue]

Originally Posted by Southern

Caddue
Where are you from?

I am NOT going to lookup all 50 states, but let me assure you that in some, many, most, or all of the states, It doesn't make a rats ass whether you bought a car or leased it, you are protected by that states lemon law.
States that I KNOW cover leases are places like FL and CA and PA and NY and GA and NJ and MI............

MoFex,

I was NOT referring to being able to have my leased car repurchased under a lemon law but rather to the unavailability to lease another CTS for a reasonable price. In case you haven't noticed, leasing is nonexistent for people wanting to lease a GM or Chrysler vehicle. And I DO NOT want to buy a CTS. My only alternative at this point is to either go lemon law and buy???? or live with this problem. I can tell you that if I have to BUY a car, it won't be a CTS.

[MoFex]

Originally Posted by Caddue

MoFex,

I was NOT referring to being able to have my leased car repurchased under a lemon law but rather to the unavailability to lease another CTS for a reasonable price. In case you haven't noticed, leasing is nonexistent for people wanting to lease a GM or Chrysler vehicle. And I DO NOT want to buy a CTS. My only alternative at this point is to either go lemon law and buy???? or live with this problem. I can tell you that if I have to BUY a car, it won't be a CTS.

Caddue,
are you sure you were answering me?

[Caddue]

Originally Posted by MoFex

Caddue,
are you sure you were answering me?

MoFex,

Sorry, My bad

[Dicecal]

Darn, I just bought a used 08 with 14K miles on it. Wish I would have seen this before I bought the car, hope I don't have this problem!

[CaptainBK]

For what it's worth, I've had my 09' CTS4 DI FE2 for over a week now (Build date Nov18/08).
I've been on the highway several times (also to test the vibration issue) and I can honestly say that there is absolutely none. During the summer I tested two 08's in August. One was very bad and one had minor, but noticeable vibration. In October before I ordered the CTS, I test drove an '09 with a late Sept or Early Oct build and it didn't have any vibration issues.

From what people say that it looks like GM has 'fixed' something on the line somewhere in September maybe? This is just a guess though... Also, remember not everyone with 08's is experiencing this. I hope they do something about it to make things right for those of you who have this problem.

Also, they have changed the seats in the 'after Aug 08' builds. There is definitely more padding. Sit in both at a local dealer to see what I mean.

[Mr Snappy]

Originally Posted by CaptainBK

Also, they have changed the seats in the 'after Aug 08' builds. There is definitely more padding. Sit in both at a local dealer to see what I mean.

Hmmmm,
I wonder if they would switch them out if you complained.....probably not

[yatesd]

I am still having problems with brake noise on my Odyssey...