I've had my tC for about 2 months. Up to 100 miles, the steering was very tight; perhaps even too tight. Since then, it is rather loose, and when on the road, it often feels like the car is swaying or lurching. I brought it to the dealership, but they just said this is from the road. Is this really the way the car should be? I feel rather out of control or unsafe.

Thanks!

 

My stearing is super-responsive.... It might be "just your mind"... but I get great stearing response from my tc...

 

How much, exactly, is "lots"?

Most free-play is cause by worn parts. Considering your car is 2 months old, you can rule that out.

I think 30mm (1.18") is maximum "allowable" free play in the steering...if it's more than that I'd take it to the dealership right away and have them look at it again, this time pointing out what it says in their manual.

If this is the case, it's probably something in the power steering link assembly...

 

Thanks all for the reply.

I can't give an actual number on the amount of play. But I can say that I can hold the steering in place and it will "shimmy" one direction and then quickly the other and then center, and it does it with apparently any flaw in the road (and not just at high speed -- have experienced it as low as 20-30 mph). Also, when braking, it sometimes does this pull-to-the-left-and-then-to-the-right.

 

There should be a little play in the wheel, but you should only notice it while going straight on a road and you can just barely move the wheel left and right while keeping your car straight. If you feel play in the wheel on a turn...then something is wrong....I'm not expert though

 

Here's how to check the amount of free-play:

1. CHECK STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY
(a) Stop the vehicle and align the tires straight ahead.
(b) Turn the steering wheel gently right and left, and check
the steering wheel free play.
Maximum Free Play: 30 mm (1.18 in.)
If the free play exceeds the maximum, replace the steering intermediate
shaft sub–assy or steering gear.

 

Thanks everyone; I do have more play than that. Will bring it back to the dealership, since I imagine this is a warranty thing with the car at 2k miles.

 

I think i may know exactly what Orchidpop is talkin about. My steering feels a little loose or uncertain as well. Almost like theres a little delay in the response or u have to turn the wheel a lot to get a little turning output. Maybe its just in my head...but its def something I'm gonna keep an eye on.

The prob is that theres just too many things too "keep an eye on" with this car!!

 

Actually sounds like it could be a wheel alignment issue.

--mark

 

Mine's as tight as Beyoncé's a$$

Scott

 

wow that is tight and sexy

 

Great description! To me it almost seems as if the wheel is Too easy to spin

 

I dunno about wheel play, but when I went auto crossing with my tc, one of the instructors there drove my car and said that the response of the steering was delayed a bit when she was swerving between the cones.. almost as if when she turns, and after a fraction of a second the power steering pump would kick in all of the sudden and jerk the car left or right...

-Emo

 

doesnt the tc have speed varying steering? I read that somewhere in the service manuals. Maybe your play in steering is caused by that some. Mine seems pretty tight but a little delayed.

 

THis is how I feel about it exactly. I drove my dad's corolla s the other day and it just handled so much Crisper. Maybe I need an alignment or something...

 

To those who are having problems with the steering.. There is a TSB (service bulletin) on 05's up to about VIN # 60,000 that the steering rack AND power steering pump are to be replaced.. they are defective and to be replaced, so if you have an 05 and have that problem.. That's what it is..

Also, if you have an 06, I bet it's around the VIN # of 60,000 and probably some old parts were left over and thrown on your car.. People with VIN #'s around 80-90,000 I bet don't have the problem..

Hope that helps.. i posted the info before.. sorry i am not able to get the service bulletin info right now.. just had to say that.. will give ya the info later, or maybe someone else has the TSB info and will post it..

 

^^^ Great info - thanks!

Scott

 

yeah the service bulletin is ST002-05 named "Vehicle Pull/drift feeling improvement"..

It's obvious if you're having play in the steering there is something wrong with the steering rack.. sure you might need an alignment but it could also be that there is a defect in the rack itself. If your dealer tries to tell you its normal, find another dealer who will listen and take the time to check out the rack and the alignment on the alignment rack, not just by driving it (such a joke of an excuse)..

 

very good news...i always suspected the steering rack had some slop in it!!!
looking @ the vin #...which digit is the cars serial #?

 

the number you're looking for is the last 6 digits of the vin#..