Steering Wheel Shudder

[Anonymous]

Hi All.

As I'm quite new to the RCZ scene I wanted to introduce myself and open up a topic for discussion/help.

I've posted a couple of questions/answers in various topics and found everyone incredibly helpful and welcoming.

A couple of weeks back I collected my RCZ GT 1.6 156 Auto in Moroccan Red. The dealership agreed to matt black the arches for me which I personally think finishes the car off nicely.

I've since installed PiperX filter which gives a slightly louder internal sound. Ive upgraded the headlight bulbs to halfords briliiant white bulbs. Ive also installed the footrest, and am waiting on installing the interior and number plate LEDs untill dealer issues have passed.....

Prior to collection the dealer sent me a video which turned out to show a slash in a tyre which they agreed to change for me.

http://video.citnow.com/vtzWB09Nc2Q

Once the car was ready for the collection they sent me a second video. Personally I thought this was top notch customer service..

http://video.citnow.com/vtsqL9g9Tsc

Since having the car I've noticed a couple of issues...

1. Fuel gauge doesn’t register as full, when tank is full. Noticed other owners have had similar issue. Covered under warranty and booked in for 11/04

2. Horrendous shudder through the steering wheel at 65-75ish mph. dealer agreed to rebalance all wheels which has done nothing to slow the shudder. I've since been informed that the tyre they fitted was far inferior to the other 3 tyres and so is most probably the cause for the shudder. I'm awaiting the dealer response to this.

Has anyone else noticed any shudder and if so what was cause and remedy for it?

Thanks.

 

[Abzynthe]

Hi. I think that video is a really good idea. Well done them

When I collected mine, it had two brand new front tyres. Unfortunately they were completely different tyres. On the test drive I didnt really notice it as it was at low speeds around town. But when driving home, there was a shudder.
It was only a few days until I changed my wheels anyway, but when i changed the wheels, the shudder was gone completely. So I put it down to the tyres being different.

 

[2retro]

Hi and welcome,

Do you know if the car has wheel spacers fitted? I briefly put aftermarket wheel spacers on mine and experienced the exact same shuddering issue at that speed. So you need either no wheel spacers or specific hub-centric wheel spacers (http://rczperformance.com/BrakesandSuspension.html- near bottom of page) to resolve it - anything else will cause the shuddering because they are not perfectly balanced.

If you are planning on jacking up the car to get the wheel off and check, be very careful though because the jacking points on RCZ's leave a lot to be desired (just search on here for the horror stories!).

Hope this helps - let us know! :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

The videos were fantastic and really put a grin on my face when they came through. Can't fault Swansway Chester for their professionalism so far.

I doubt it has spacers as it was an ex pug HQ manager car. However, I haven't actually checked. You'd have thought they might have mentioned it when I had all corners balanced if there were spacers.

Front drivers side is a near new Goodyear and the front passenger side is a cheap no brand tyre. I'm putting the shudder down to that until I learn otherwise. I'm waiting for a call back from the dealer for the next steps. Thinking of offering to go halves on a Goodyear if they don't offer one....? And if they refuse that then I may request them to swap a rear tyre to the front which are also goodyear.

Cheers for he heads up on the jacking points.

Is it crucial to have the same tyre at the front?

What tyres do you tend to go for after the factory tyres have run their course?

 

[2retro]

Sounds like it's probably the odd tyres causing it then. Personally I would never have a different brand/tread pattern on the same axle so it was a bit tight of them to try that on with you. Mines got Continental Conti-Sports all round but they are still the original tyres.

 

[DKZ5745]

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=9159

This thread will give you some ideas regarding tyre replacement. :eusa-think:

 

[Anonymous]

Balancing.
They need to remove the current weights and start from scratch.

Taking it to the same place to have this done may not be the best idea, as if the same person does it, the same result will probably occur.

Under no circumstances let them suggest and / or alter anything to do with the Tracking - it won't be this.

Different tyres on the front is unusual - although, this won't be the fundamental problem.
Balancing.

:thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Gorwell. Good point on taking it back to the same place, however after the jacking point nightmares I'm only ever taking it to the dealer if it needs lifting. Just to be safe.
I'm still waiting to hear back off the dealer as to the next steps. Apparently they are going to request the sales manager agrees to replace the tyre.
I'm beginning to wonder if the incident which caused the slash on the original tyre has somehow damaged the alloy wheel in some way. Although you would have thought the process of balancing the tyre would have highlighted that.
My other 3 tyres are Conti Sport Compact 3... not Goodyear as I previously said. I've priced it up at £194 for tyre and fitting. Although that was through Blackcircle tyres, so I'd have to stand over them whilst they jack it up. :ugeek:
I'm beginning to get used to pottering down the A55 at 60mph :wtf: :eusa-think:

 

[Anonymous]

Dropped the RCZ off at Swansway, Chester this morning to have a new conti sport compact 3 fitted at no cost.

The service I recieved was fantastic, three coffees, newspaper and F1 quali highlights. Perfect start to a weekend.

Once the car was ready, the service manger came to explain about the shudder and that it has now completely gone.

Turns out it was the poor quality tyre causing the shudder.

The drive home was fantastic, empty roads, no shudder....bliss.

Lesson to all RCZ owners is to always have matching tyres on the same axle. And of course, avoid cheap alternatives.

Full wash and Polish later, she is looking stunning on the driveway!!

 

[2retro]

Good news - Glad you got it sorted in the end. :thumbup:

 

[howardf]

now i think that is brilliant customer service........... doubt i'll get anywhere near that from the fleet provider next month when mine arrives....can only hope
when they delivered the last company car (not an rcz!) they drove it 150miles not delivered on a trailer, so it arrived filthy, and they cant have pdi 'd it cos the rear interior light was hanging out of the roof lining on its wires......... :crazy:

 

[Anonymous]

Problem should be the tyre. When replace all in mine for the Michelin PSS all vibration gone.
Other issue may happen, but not yet for you as it's a new car, attention when have brake pads/disks replaced.
Bought my RCZ second hand from Marshalls Cambridge and had the pads/disks replaced. Strange knocking in the steering wheel, the first diagnostic was steering rack need to be replaced. Lucky I have 3 years extended warrant. As they performed a more careful check, the problem was the brake parts installed by them, during service. Once they remove and put everything back again, the problem disappeared.

 

[Anonymous]

Dropped the RCZ off at Swansway, Chester this morning to have a new conti sport compact 3 fitted at no cost.

The service I recieved was fantastic, three coffees, newspaper and F1 quali highlights. Perfect start to a weekend.

Once the car was ready, the service manger came to explain about the shudder and that it has now completely gone.

Turns out it was the poor quality tyre causing the shudder.

The drive home was fantastic, empty roads, no shudder....bliss.

Lesson to all RCZ owners is to always have matching tyres on the same axle. And of course, avoid cheap alternatives.

Full wash and Polish later, she is looking stunning on the driveway!!

Glad you're all sorted and can start doing "proper" speeds in your RCZ.
The satisfaction of being able to go past 60 - 70 mph without the dreaded shudder is a joy.

Have Fun

:thumbup: