Have We Solved The Steering Vibration On The Freeway? - Page 43

Maeztro · #**631** (**permalink**) 06-23-09, 06:23 PM

OK. Took in the CTS to the dealer today and not only described the boom/vibration but took the service manager for a ride and he experience it too. I brought a long the TSB's printed out. Made it clear I wasn't trying to do his job, but I wanted this solved. (Oh, and the squeaky breaks)

So they called a few minutes ago and said they installed the washers and aligned the wheels. They were currently taking the car for a spin to see if the problems are fixed. They requested to keep the car for another day to go over the fixes. I told them they could keep it for a week as long the car I get back drives like the price tag suggests it should.

Maeztro · #**632** (**permalink**) 06-24-09, 08:59 PM

Update: Got my CTS back today. Could not be happier! It is like a new car. They put in the washers, reprogrammed, aligned...and the vibration and boom is gone! They also put ceramic pads on the brakes and the squeak is gone! Threw in a free oil change too!

I could not be happier and am once again a devoted Cadillac fan. Good job Ed Morse Cadillac!

MoFex · #**633** (**permalink**) 06-24-09, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maeztro

Update: Got my CTS back today. Could not be happier! It is like a new car. They put in the washers, reprogrammed, aligned...and the vibration and boom is gone! They also put ceramic pads on the brakes and the squeak is gone! Threw in a free oil change too!

I could not be happier and am once again a devoted Cadillac fan. Good job Ed Morse Cadillac!

I told you so

Seriously, I did the same 2 weeks ago and could not be happier! Sad though I had to live with that for 18 months...but it is forgotten now.

Enjoy your "new" CTS

jdavis12 · #**634** (**permalink**) 07-13-09, 02:48 PM

I have run out of options in dealing with my steering wheel shimmy problem: Alignment adjusted to within specs, new tires under warranty, multiple road force balance attempts and latest numbers are 3, 4, 5 and 11 with the 11 being placed on the right rear. The shimmy varies slightly each time I drive but is always there between 60 and 75 and does not go away in the 20 mile drive to work. Very frustrating to say the least and the dealer is done with me, offering no further attempts to fix the problem. There is no way a steering wheel shimmy is considered acceptable for a $48k luxury vehicle!

jdavis12 · #**635** (**permalink**) 08-10-09, 03:49 PM

So the age old advice usually reserved for medical problems of "get a second opinion" has proved to be the right move after my original dealer said there was nothing further they could do. I had a fantastic experience at another local dealer whose service manager jumped on the issue, they spent quality time with me understanding the problem, drove the vehicle multiple times to experience the shimmy and went through a diagnostic and part replacement process until the shimmy was gone! Wheels were RFB'd again finding the right tire/wheel combination, alignment, front bearing/hub assembly, rotors and a steering rack. It appears the problem was a combination of parts as they were able to improve it each time but could not get the shimmy to completely go away until the rack was replaced. The jury is still out on whether it is completely gone as I haven't been able to drive at any speed higher than 65 (need to test 75) but I have been shimmy free for 2 days! I literally feel like I'm driving a new car - steering feels tighter and I feel the road like I should, not a flopping steering wheel! Once I validate the problem is completely gone, this dealer will receive plenty of kudos.
Anyone else with this problem have success yet? The forum has dried up lately so I have to assume others have had the issue resolved?

Jimls · #**636** (**permalink**) 08-11-09, 12:26 PM

Hi JD, thank you for your update. Based on the information posted in this thread I also have decided to go ahead with the "vibration/boom" TSB this coming Thursday. I hope I will have the same fortune you and others had in eliminating this. I still have the slight shimmy though almost exactly the same as you described it. Somedays almost perfect, others a bit more prevalent...strange!
I would be very interested in finding out in more detail on how exactly the dealer you went to "corrected" the shimmy. Did they replace the entire steering system?? were other parts swapped out? can you please let me know what was done to your car so I can also discuss this with the Service Manager. The dealer that I will be going to is in Toronto and is called Roy Foss.
Thanks Jim

smooth_ride · #**637** (**permalink**) 08-11-09, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C "T" ess

I wonder if there are any AWD cars with these problems. They have a different steering geometry.

I have an AWD. I drive on a concrete highway (about 12 years old). I have a small shimmy, maybe 1/8" movement in wheel (correct tire 35 PSI). Is this indicative of the "problem"?

I did notice when my tires were down at 32 PSI, I had a good shimmy until they heated up at which point I had 35 PSI and low shimmy (1/8" or less).

C "T" ess · #**638** (**permalink**) 08-12-09, 11:54 AM

Ed Morse in Tampa also corrected my shimmy and wander with repair to the rack. All is well so far.

Jimls · #**639** (**permalink**) 08-12-09, 12:46 PM

Hi CT, do you recall what kind of repair to the rack? Reason I would like to know is that I am bringing in my car for the TSB for the "boom" tomorrow and would like to discuss this steering rack issue with them also. Can you elaborate on this repair.
Jim

C "T" ess · #**640** (**permalink**) 08-13-09, 09:59 AM

I only had the vibration and wander problem. They dropped the steering rack and reset it to specifications, re-torqued it and it took the sloppiness out of the steering and tightened everything up nicely.

jdavis12 · #**641** (**permalink**) 08-13-09, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimls

Hi JD, thank you for your update. Based on the information posted in this thread I also have decided to go ahead with the "vibration/boom" TSB this coming Thursday. I hope I will have the same fortune you and others had in eliminating this. I still have the slight shimmy though almost exactly the same as you described it. Somedays almost perfect, others a bit more prevalent...strange!
I would be very interested in finding out in more detail on how exactly the dealer you went to "corrected" the shimmy. Did they replace the entire steering system?? were other parts swapped out? can you please let me know what was done to your car so I can also discuss this with the Service Manager. The dealer that I will be going to is in Toronto and is called Roy Foss.
Thanks Jim

Jim -
I have not had the "vibration/boom" problem although this has not yet been ruled out as part of the problem causing the "shimmy" many of us report.
The dealer I went to for the second opinion did the following in the order listed. Each part improved the problem but until they did the rack replacement, was not improved to the point it is now (not totally gone):
1) Alignment
2) Roadforce balance (moved some tires to other rims to get the best combination)
3) Front hub/bearing assemblies
4) Front rotors
5) Steering rack

I initially reported no more shimmy but unfortunately, I am still getting a brief shimmy when first getting to speed (65-75) but the difference is that it seems to reduce quickly to only a vibration that does not visibly show in the steering wheel. The bottom line is that it is currently much more livable than before and I absolutely feel like the steering and overall road feel is firmer. I'm going to run a couple more weeks to see if anything changes before deciding whether I am satisfied with the improvement or if something is still wrong.

Those of you going down a similar path in trying to get resolved....please continue to report your progress and results.

jdavis12 · #**642** (**permalink**) 08-13-09, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smooth_ride

I have an AWD. I drive on a concrete highway (about 12 years old). I have a small shimmy, maybe 1/8" movement in wheel (correct tire 35 PSI). Is this indicative of the "problem"?

I did notice when my tires were down at 32 PSI, I had a good shimmy until they heated up at which point I had 35 PSI and low shimmy (1/8" or less).

That's the "shimmy" problem reported by myself and others. My neighbor has an 08 AWD (FE1) and has never had an issue. I drove his car to confirm and it was smooth as silk. The issue seems to be on a small percentage of CTS's, no matter what engine, suspension or wheels you have. My prior CTS was an 08 with FE1 and 17's - had the same shimmy issue as my current 09 with FE2 and 18's.

AJC · #**643** (**permalink**) 09-11-09, 11:33 AM

To replace the rack - do they have to take out the suspension?

Jimls · #**644** (**permalink**) 09-11-09, 12:07 PM

I have been hesitating to report this but approx 3 weeks ago I had my car in for service. In reviewing psb's with my service advisor we came upon #090308003 which involved the front suspension. I beleive they replaced a couple of bushings and retorqued the front suspension as per psb. Now the good news...my car has completely eliminated the steering wheel shimmy at any speed. I still am waiting for it to come back hence my apprehension but it has been 3 weeks now and NO SHIMMY (I have had my car for 17 months with shimmy).
Now part 2, I am still waiting for parts (backordered) for psb 080730044c for the famous boom/vibration. The parts specifically are rear subframe insulators as per my work order plus the tcm reprogram. For my vehicle I can confidentally say that the 2 issues, shimmy and vibration are not related as the shimmy is completely gone but still have some ( but not too bad)vibration/boom occurring at approx. 1300rpm.
It is a pleasure driving my car again on the highway but I need to keep a watch on the speedo as going 90kph or 100 or 120 etc. it is rock solid, smooth and steady.. Very happy with this, finally!

tr's-cts · #**645** (**permalink**) 09-11-09, 06:52 PM

I have the same problem. The steering wheel shimmies from 60ish to 70. Took it in and they rotated the tires. Told me they really couldn't do too much more until I got atleast 500 miles on it.

Still shimmies, not as bad. It is irritating to say the least. I can not feel anything in the form of driveline issues. I have Rear drive. The seats and liquids do not shake.

I will be taking it back. (when I get more miles). Hopefully they will correct it. Thanks for the tips, I will do a cut and paste and present it to the service dept.