Have We Solved The Steering Vibration On The Freeway?

onomrb · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-07, 02:14 PM

I Was Wondering If The Issue Has Finally Been Resolved? Why Was This Vibration Happening? Was It From Faulty Tire Balancers From The Factory? Were They Not Calibrated Properly? Let Me Know. I'm Going Today To Test Drive A New Cts 08. If No Vibration, I'm Buying It.

imrf · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-07, 04:05 PM

My car is in the shop with the engineers. They are saying it's a rear end issue. Prop shaft issue possibly. They are going to turn it to see if the problem goes away. They said that the vibration from that being a tad out of balance or at tad off center will cause slight vibration in the whole drivetrain and can also be felt in the steering wheel. I'll have more info once they are completely done with the car. They also have a car on the lot that doesn't have the issue and will pull parts from it and put them on mine to fix my issue and order new parts for that one, and then they'll look into the messed up ones if need be.

But from what the two engineers that I talked with and drove with today, they say the issue isn't tire related, but drivetrain related.

gojo · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-07, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onomrb

I Was Wondering If The Issue Has Finally Been Resolved? Why Was This Vibration Happening? Was It From Faulty Tire Balancers From The Factory? Were They Not Calibrated Properly? Let Me Know. I'm Going Today To Test Drive A New Cts 08. If No Vibration, I'm Buying It.

I have mine with 18" all weather tires and polished rims. No viabration. In fact it's very smooth and tracks great. Get it you will love it.

imrf · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-07, 09:35 PM

And a little update. I picked it up, and the issue is still there, it is now higher in the speed band. From what it looks like, all they did was swap drive shafts. Looks like they are going to have to swap more out, maybe swap the car out and let the engineers take the car apart on their own time, and not mine. I'm tired of dealing with this, I just want a car that doesn't have the problems that mine does.

DavidL · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-07, 09:55 PM

I'm sorry you are having this problem; my CTS is rock steady; hopefully you will get results.

70eldo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-07, 04:26 AM

I have the same issue for over a year now in my 06 CTS. I am tired of pushing my workshop where to check now...

sigh...

MoonstoneMike · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-07, 07:05 PM

I know this sounds basic... but i had the same exact problem with my '05 cts. They changed everything from rims, tires, bearings, etc. It turned out that the high speed balancing machine they use was the problem. I brought my cts to a local tire shop and asked them to balance the tires. Vibration gone forever!!!! Hopefully it's something that simple for u...

My new '08 with 18" tire package awd has no vibration at any speeds!

imrf · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-07, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoonstoneMike

Hopefully it's something that simple for u...

So far it hasn't been that easy. The tires have been checked twice for balance, and the engineers say it is all in the drivetrain. Some time this next week they will have a new rear end and driveshaft for my car. I'm not happy at all that it's taking this long, nor are they willing to work on a Saturday(the dealership is open). It's really unacceptable.

dkozloski · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-07, 07:54 PM

Tell them to check with Rausch Racing. Carl Edwards had a similar problem in his Nextel Cup car in pracice at Talladega yesterday. There was some kind of driveline resonance.

imrf · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-07, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkozloski

There was some kind of driveline resonance.

Yep, that's the issue with my car. They have to figure out what part of the driveline is causing it.

I'm just hoping that they can fix that issue along with the handful of other issues I have with the car early this week so I can get on with my life and not constantly having to go to the dealership to deal with this.

b4z · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-07, 01:58 PM

Does it do it whether your foot is on the gas or off?

My '87 Camaro had a driveshaft that was not true and which the overdrive exacerbated.
The vibration would go away if I pushed the clutch in.

onomrb · #12 (**permalink**) 10-08-07, 02:55 AM

To IMRF, I am truly sorry you are having such a bad problem with the vibration in your vehicle. This is why I haven't purchased the new CTS 08 yet. I'm having reservations about it. Every single car I test drove had a vibration issue. I have test driven over 13 cars now and they all had some type of steering wheel vibration on the freeway. I hope you get your car fixed. I would just tell them to keep the car and give you a new one. I hope at least they have you driving a new one as a loane? Please keep me informed. I am going tomorrow to test drive another CTS to see if this one is ok..If not, I am going to buy a Mercedes and just give up on the Caddy for now. I don't need this headache that you are going through. Let me know.

imrf · #13 (**permalink**) 10-08-07, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onomrb

I hope at least they have you driving a new one as a loane? Please keep me informed.

Hell no. They keep giving me these POS 2006 CTS'. I don't know how Cadillac put their name on those cars, that design is horrible. The interior is just butt ugly. It definitely makes me appreciate the design of the new one.

I should be getting word today on the game plan for my car this week. The area Cadillac rep is supposed to call me and I'm going to discuss with him my options, and specifically a replacement car, if possible/needed.

onomrb · #14 (**permalink**) 10-08-07, 03:52 PM

To IMRF make sure you stand your ground. It's a new vehicle and what's fair is fair. I certainly would allow them to try to fix it. If it's not normal after this time have them give you a new car. One thing I learned from having a troubled car once is you can't give up and be persistent and go above the rep. You have to maintain your stance. I hope you get it resolved quickly. Sorry about your problem.

gm_eng · #15 (**permalink**) 10-08-07, 04:35 PM

I'm dying to hear what this turns out to be. You said it happens at a particular speed then goes away as you go faster? If that's the case, I would think something is loose, and at that particular speed it vibrates because that is the natural frequency of the vibrating part. If it were just something out of balance like a wheel or driveshaft, you'd think the faster you went, the worse the vibration would be. If it were a design issue, all CTS's would have the problem.