On-Center Steering Stiction

[mtndrew1]

My Volt has begun doing a new weird thing.

When cruising, usually above 25 MPH or so, the steering "sticks" at its center spot. It's a disconcerting feeling and I have to kind of jerk the wheel a bit to unstick it. I feel like a drunk weaving around on the freeway as I unstick the wheel over and over in either direction to maintain a path, such as around a gentle curve.

Has anyone experienced this? I'm really hesitant to take it to the dealer and start another repair nightmare (you may remember me from such threads as "I really wish I had bought another car" and "Brake Buzzing/Pulsing") but this is feeling a bit unsafe. I'm not due for my first service for another 1,500 miles.

-Drew

[DonC]

If you searched you'd find a couple of threads, including one in which you commented, which pointed to a strut issue. I'm afraid you don't have much choice but to take it to a dealer. If you don't like the service at your first dealer is there another you could use?

[mtndrew1]

I did a search and didn't find anything similar except for a "steering rough spot" that was seemingly unrelated.

The struts can make my steering stick?!

-Drew

Edit: As far as the dealer goes, my original dealer (Rydell Chevy) has been excellent, it's just that they're very far from me. One of the reasons I'm hesitant to go in for repair as it almost always requires a day off of work. They sold, serviced, and replaced my original Volt and are very competent. The dealer closest to me is a nightmare as I'm sure you're well aware.

[Solarwind]

Drew
When GM first came out with the electric power steering they had issues and recalls. My son got free parts for his daughters 2009 chevy (don't know model). You need to get that fixed ASAP. Your volt adviser should be able to help with a good dealer in your area.

[mtndrew1]

Ugh, I'll make an appointment. Rydell is too good and my last shot at a nearby dealer was too awful to risk going anywhere else so I'll just suck it up make an appointment at Rydell. They can look at my clanking front end while it's in there.

-Drew

[Solarwind]

Speaking of clanking front ends, you might want to read my experiences under "Broken Volt / Battery" however I didn't mention there that they also replaced brake pads and pins due to loose parts rattling.

[mtndrew1]

UPDATE

This steering stiction issue seems to have resolved itself for now.

I had a friend in from Chicago a few weeks ago (car 2525) and lent him my Volt for a day while he was in LA. He felt the stiction in the steering and said his Volt didn't have this phenomenon. So at least I'm not crazy, as far as this goes at least.

Anyway, after I started driving my car again and readjusting the steering column to my stature the problem was less noticeable. In the following days it got less and less severe to the point I cancelled my appointment with Rydell to have it looked at.

In the last week the problem has disappeared completely so who knows what's going on in there. Maybe debris got stuck somewhere? Readjusting the steering column loosened something up? No idea.

As an aside both my Volt Advisor, Matthew, and the service department from Rydell Chevrolet reached out to me from this forum to resolve the issue. Despite my Volt issues I continue to be impressed by the customer service from GM and Rydell Chevrolet.

When I go in for my first service I'll have them do a check of the steering just to be on the safe side and look at my noisy front end. I'm very glad I don't seem to need an unscheduled stop for repair.

-Drew

[Fulgerite]

I read a thread a while back about a service bulletin that involved a rubber boot seal in the steering column that could rub and cause issues like you describe. The fix was a simple one. I would let them check it out on your first service.