Have We Solved The Steering Vibration On The Freeway? - Page 40

STS2002 · #**586** (**permalink**) 04-23-09, 10:44 AM

Would it be possible to replace the steering gear with a less sensitive after market one. Would that void any warranty? I am absolutely convinced as well that majority of the vibration issues is with the crappy michelin tires and the sensitive steering gear causing the steering shimmy. I too get the flat spotting, pretty much all the time and as i drive longer it will go away. But any imperfections in the road will definately be transmitted thourgh the steering gear and shimmy the stearing wheel. Very frustrating at times. The car is just over engineered...too bad...it really is a great car!!

CadiJ · #**587** (**permalink**) 04-23-09, 11:26 AM

Yes replacing the steering gear would pretty much ruin your warranty coverage...

My first 2009 CTS (June production) had the steering shimmy - and I drove about 4+ June production CTS's all with the steering shimmy.

My second 2009 CTS (Oct production) does not have the shimmy rather the drive train vibration between 40-60 mph.

I would not say that the car is over engineered. I do think it is by far the most beautiful 4-door sedan on the road but over engineered - no way.

The CTS has a lot going for it however, there are also some pretty significant quality short-falls that impact driveability. The tires are a starting point but in my opinion the engineering tolorances on our CTS's are far from "exact" and production assembly is sloppy at best...

Quote:

Originally Posted by STS2002

Would it be possible to replace the steering gear with a less sensitive after market one. Would that void any warranty? I am absolutely convinced as well that majority of the vibration issues is with the crappy michelin tires and the sensitive steering gear causing the steering shimmy. I too get the flat spotting, pretty much all the time and as i drive longer it will go away. But any imperfections in the road will definately be transmitted thourgh the steering gear and shimmy the stearing wheel. Very frustrating at times. The car is just over engineered...too bad...it really is a great car!!

yatesd · #**588** (**permalink**) 04-23-09, 06:23 PM

I like a sports sedan that provides direct feedback of the road, but not all people do. Have you considered adding seat cushions and going to 15" or 16" wheels?

CadiJ,

Are you still hanging around? Why would anyone hang out here if they hate their car? How many different ways can you say the same thing? Instead of being so negative, maybe you should consider proactively looking for a replacement car and finding a new forum that reflects your new found happiness.

CadiJ · #**589** (**permalink**) 04-23-09, 08:28 PM

Ok ok... Hate my car is a bit strong yatesd.

Road feel and a drive train vibration are two completely different things.

You can't fault me when so many others have reported the exact same problem and there are about 6+ posts dedicated to vibration issues and GM's inability to fix them...

Re-read my posts. I love the cts, just don't like the quality issues and I am in the process of lemon law so perhaps one of these days's you'll be rid of me...

yatesd · #**590** (**permalink**) 04-23-09, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadiJ

Road feel and a drive train vibration are two completely different things.

CadiJ,

I don't disagree with this statement. Maybe that's why I dislike this thread....two totally different topics being addressed as if they are related.

CadiJ · #**591** (**permalink**) 04-24-09, 10:30 AM

I am not sure I agree with you. This thread's focus is on three specific issues:
1.) Steering wheel shimmy
2.) Vibration between 40-70mph (drive train)
3.) Moan/boom (sound)

Unless I missed the boat, "road feel" is not a part of this thread.

I completely understand your Point Of View - if you get ticked off with road feel, the CTS is not for you... Go get a DTS...

BUT, I really think some, quite a few 2008's and many 2009's do have "legit" production issues resulting in the steering shimmy, vibration, and or moan/boom.

Its all over this forum, in Car and Driver, and all over Edmonds

Quote:

Originally Posted by yatesd

CadiJ,

I don't disagree with this statement. Maybe that's why I dislike this thread....two totally different topics being addressed as if they are related.

C "T" ess · #**592** (**permalink**) 04-24-09, 10:33 AM

For all of the posters to this thread, it appears very few are reporting a problem in relationship to all of the posts. Most are the same people venting over and over again.

By the way, changing the steering gear probably wouldn't solve the problem since the CTS has a variable speed pump that changes road feel based on speed; therefore, you would have to change the pump assembly.

AJC · #**593** (**permalink**) 04-24-09, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadiJ

I am not sure I agree with you. This thread's focus is on three specific issues:
1.) Steering wheel shimmy
2.) Vibration between 40-70mph (drive train)
3.) Moan/boom (sound)

Unless I missed the boat, "road feel" is not a part of this thread.

I completely understand your Point Of View - if you get ticked off with road feel, the CTS is not for you... Go get a DTS...

BUT, I really think some, quite a few 2008's and many 2009's do have "legit" production issues resulting in the steering shimmy, vibration, and or moan/boom.

Its all over this forum, in Car and Driver, and all over Edmonds

Can you post the link the where in 'Car And Driver'?

carman5200 · #**594** (**permalink**) 04-24-09, 10:06 PM

I have a question. I have some other small minior issuse such as break squeal and a thump from my rear deck lid, and the squeak the seats give from the vinyl supports, but i'm not sure I have this boom and vibration issue.

Is there anyway that I'm missing it or something? Or is it possible I'm lucky? My car is a June/July 2009 production model. I have the DI AWD sport suspension and 18" polished wheels...Is this something only on the RWD?

Can someone describe the scenario in which these sounds are prevalent and what they do sound like so that I can resolve these issues as well if my car has them. Thank you!

yatesd · #**595** (**permalink**) 04-24-09, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadiJ

I am not sure I agree with you. This thread's focus is on three specific issues:
1.) Steering wheel shimmy
2.) Vibration between 40-70mph (drive train)
3.) Moan/boom (sound)

Unless I missed the boat, "road feel" is not a part of this thread.

I believe what you have summed up is essentially two different issues.

I believe most of the steering wheel shimmy issues are either "road feel", tire balancing, or maybe tire design. Low profile tires are certainly more susceptible to this issue.
The other problem (which I have to a slight degree) and would ultimately like to see a bulletin on is #2 and #3. Which I think are related.

Here is the rub.....those two issues are not related at all! We have people complaining about tires, we have people complaining about balancing tires, we have people complaining that there are so many people complaining....anyway having one thread for 2 or 3 different topics make this thread very ineffective IMHO.

Mrdestination28 · #**596** (**permalink**) 05-26-09, 03:46 AM

So, have we found an actual solution for the vibrating steering wheel on high speed roads/highways?

jdavis12 · #**597** (**permalink**) 05-26-09, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrdestination28

So, have we found an actual solution for the vibrating steering wheel on high speed roads/highways?

No known solution yet for the steering wheel shimmy. I have had several sets of OEM tires replaced under warranty, multiple roadforce balances and even tried a new set of wheels on my own with little to no resolution of the problem. I have also had this problem on 2 veh's ('08 CTS w/ FE1 17's and '09 CTS w/ FE2 18's) - which is why I don't gamble....can't win. I am very, very interested in keeping this discussion going as I strongly feel that the underlying problem is not just tires, but a combination of tire and a suspension component (hub?). My dealer is done with me as they claim to not have any other options so I'm hoping someone, somewhere figures out the magic solution and shares with those of us who have the problem(s). I have corresponded with many owners and have driven a dozen or so other CTS's and believe the shimmy problem is a 10-15% issue.

C "T" ess · #**598** (**permalink**) 05-27-09, 11:22 AM

Are there any similar complaints on the CTS V board.
I wonder if it would be worth trying their polyurethane suspension bushings in place of those on the standard CTS.

70eldo · #**599** (**permalink**) 06-03-09, 06:21 AM

Geez, after being away for a while and after 40 pages in this thread I was actually expecting to read only the last few people to ask where and how to get the solution on this problem. So nothing changed yet? I thought there was a solution?

CadiJ kinda became the guardian of this thread to convince anyone here about the seriousness of his vibration problems. It is getting boring now...

Is it possible for the forum administrators to publish a LOCKED thread that lists the symptoms of those three vibration issues and what possible solutions are out yet for each issue? That would be great.

WNBAMiamiSol · #**600** (**permalink**) 06-03-09, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70eldo

Geez, after being away for a while and after 40 pages in this thread I was actually expecting to read only the last few people to ask where and how to get the solution on this problem. So nothing changed yet? I thought there was a solution?

CadiJ kinda became the guardian of this thread to convince anyone here about the seriousness of his vibration problems. It is getting boring now...

Is it possible for the forum administrators to publish a LOCKED thread that lists the symptoms of those three vibration issues and what possible solutions are out yet for each issue? That would be great.

It is hardly "boring" if YOU spent $45,000 on a CTS which suffers this problem.....