Have We Solved The Steering Vibration On The Freeway? - Page 33

lavaman · #**481** (**permalink**) 12-13-08, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMill

Shimmy is a type of vibration as defined here; specifically, #3. So, when CTS owners say they have a steering wheel vibration, we all KNOW what they mean. Yes, I agree that Webster's may not be the almighty when it comes to applying a definition to a specific case; maybe shimmy is the better word for this discussion. But I don't think it needs to be pointed out when the majority of us call it a vibration, IMNSHO. (If you need to reply, PM me please.)

You challenge me publicly and invite a private response?

Thats class. You'll get no reply from me.

lavaman · #**482** (**permalink**) 12-13-08, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcliff

Spoke to the service manager and he wants me to bring the car back Monday to road test with the foreman. He said they have a road force balancer and the foreman will resolve this. Keeping fingers crossed (again)

The symptom you are describing sounds exactly like what I had with my "Shimmy" issue. If when they perform the road force balancing you do not end up with readings of below 10 lbs of force for all wheels/tires and a balance to within 1/10th oz. it will still shimmy. If you can, stay and observe the procedure. See for yourself where the numbers end up.

My shimmy was not the result of a Cadillac problem, it was 2 defective Michelin tires.

rcliff · #**483** (**permalink**) 12-13-08, 06:32 PM

Uh oh. I just drove the car and the shimmy was almost non-existent. It appears the problem is now intermittent. You want to take bets that it is fine when I road test with the foreman? I'm also unclear if it could be the tires now if the problem is intermittent.

rcliff · #**484** (**permalink**) 12-14-08, 05:47 PM

Shimmy was not present today either. Perhaps it's gone??? Could it have needed some road time to smooth out after the road force balance? I don't think that makes sense but maybe an expect on tires could comment. I'm unsure whether to take it back tomorrow or not at this point.

Southern · #**485** (**permalink**) 12-14-08, 06:06 PM

Perhaps your tires were flatspotted. How cold was it/is it? What tire pressure do you run?

rcliff · #**486** (**permalink**) 12-14-08, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southern

Perhaps your tires were flatspotted. How cold was it/is it? What tire pressure do you run?

It was about 50F Friday morning when I saw the issue. According to the car's info, the dealer has set the pressure to about 32 when cold and it goes up to 34-35 after driving a while.

STS2002 · #**487** (**permalink**) 12-14-08, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcliff

It was about 50F Friday morning when I saw the issue. According to the car's info, the dealer has set the pressure to about 32 when cold and it goes up to 34-35 after driving a while.

It truely amazes me that the dealer does not know what the cold tire pressure is that is set by the manufacture. It says right inside the door on the drivers side that cold tire pressure is 35 PSI. When I had to have the TPMS reset a week after i bought the car they said I was running the tires too high. They wanted to set the pressure at 32psi cold. I told them i wanted it at 35 which is what the Cadillac states. They looked at my like i was crazy to have a cold pressure do high!?!?

I do, however, think that temp and humidity play a big part in how the tires ride. On colder, drier days, the tires run smooth and no steering shimmy. When it gets hot and humid here in florida, the tires run like crap and get a good shimmy in the steering. I get a steering shimmy about 40% of the time and I do about 70% highway driving. I have about 5000 miles on my car and have not had a tire rotation or road force balance yet. I will be having that done soon. Hopefully with the road force, all of the shimmy will be gone.

Phil

cts2008lover · #**488** (**permalink**) 12-14-08, 11:51 PM

Lower tire pressure = less rattle/less vibraton/better comfort = less issue to someone
Set at 35psi and let them take care of the problem if you have.

lavaman · #**489** (**permalink**) 12-15-08, 10:15 AM

Duplicate post.

lavaman · #**490** (**permalink**) 12-15-08, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcliff

It was about 50F Friday morning when I saw the issue. According to the car's info, the dealer has set the pressure to about 32 when cold and it goes up to 34-35 after driving a while.

A flat spot issue will be present for about the first 10 +/-minutes of driving. Flat spotting will produce the same type of shimmy as a tire with excessive road force. The difference is that once the tires warm up the shimmy stops because the tires have "Rolled out" smooth again. A tire with excessive road force cannot "Roll out" and get better.

The correct tire pressure is 35 psi (Cold) After they warm up you'll see 38-42 psi depending upon ambient temp and travel speed.

rcliff · #**491** (**permalink**) 12-15-08, 01:49 PM

The shimmy is back as of this AM at 65-70mph. I'll have to get it back to the dealer when I get some time but I'm not holding my breath that they fix it or even see the issue for that matter. This is a real pain in the neck.

jdavis12 · #**492** (**permalink**) 12-20-08, 11:46 AM

It would appear based on my experience and what others are reporting with roadforce balance and tire replacement, that the shimmy issue could be all tire related or a combination of tire and wheel/suspension component. Some report that the shimmy is completely resolved after roadforce or replacement and others are still living with the issue, like me.
Has anyone pursued Michelin under the warrantly provisions? Has anyone tried another performance tire other than Michelin on the OEM wheels?

jdavis12 · #**493** (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 12:05 AM

What happened to everybody? All problems fixed or are you all keeping it under 65 in the snow? I still have intermittent problems after the dealer replaced 3 tires on my new '09 but the shimmy is not as bad and works it's way out after 12 or so miles (likely a bad case of flat-spotting) - but why not on all cars? GM needs to have a "sit down" with Michelin and figure this thing out!

CadiJ · #**494** (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 06:22 PM

Hello All!

Well... I have a post that is going to get this forum all fired up - regarding the CTS "vibration issue."

I am a car guy so I know my stuff & I now have had enough time with my CTS, my dealer, and GM so I feel that I am a very informed consumer - lots of detail will be coming your way...

I just got my 2009 3.6di automatic (18" polished NON AWD) back from my dealer and it is clear that the 2008-2009 CTS platform has at least 3 possible vibration issues.

Note: This is my 2nd 2009 Cadillac CTS 3.6 DI. My first one was a June/July production. My current CTS is a October production... The first one also had a major vibration issue that's why I have my current CTS...

I will go into detail and type up what I know later this evening or tomorrow - it is not pretty and I will not be able to solve any problems for myself or any of you -- BUT -- I will hopefully provide several insights that will be helpful to the forum members when trying to "solve" or shall I say identify the vibration problem (s).

stevie_g · #**495** (**permalink**) 01-15-09, 01:40 PM

I'm look to buy a CTS. I drove 5 yesterday at the dealer ranging from both engines with and without the performance package. All had somewhat of a vibration I could feel both in the passenger seat and the steering wheel. Is this endemic or can it be fixed?