Question about steering wheel play

Merkicus

Hey y'all, I just picked up a 370z about 10 days ago and I had a question for those of you who have owned 370z's for a while.

When I first got the vehicle and as recently as 2-3 days ago, the wheel was very tight, in a good way - it had no play and felt like a new sports car should.

However, it now has a tiny bit of play and just *feels* a bit looser - it's not necessarily a bad thing because it makes the vehicle overall a bit smoother to steer but it is definitely noticable.

Is this normal? I have less than 1k miles on this thing - I took it in to get the aftermarket leather installed today and asked them to check on the wheel play because it's really bothering me.

I expect them to tell me "nothing's wrong, its fine" and have to just deal with it but I wanted to ask the experts here for some advice.

Thanks in advance, and here's my baby:

ChrisSlicks

After 2000 miles my wheel is still very tight and there is no play. There might be an alignment issue, lots of toe out will feel like that.

Merkicus

Thanks for the response - I'm glad to hear that. It doesn't seem like after only 700 miles my wheel should already be loosening up a bit - it's hard to describe because it isn't just the minor bit of play but the overall feel - it's very noticeable for me.

However, I'm rather sure that they will just do a half *** check, if any check at all, and tell me it's fine.

semtex

I don't have any play in my steering either. It could be that the steering linkage has loosened. I'd get it checked out asap.

Here's the exploded view of the steering column from the service manual. You can see the joints at the top and bottom. My concern is that the play you're feeling could be due to loosening at one of those joints.

Attached Images

Capture5-19-2009-11.11.26 AM.jpg (52.4 KB, 193 views)

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Merkicus

Really appreciate the info guys.

It doesn't feel like something that should be happening after 700 miles, even if it's minor, so it's really important to me that they fix it.

G/f has been yapping at me about how it's fine and normal 'breaking in' wear, but if you guys still have a completely tight steering then I know something is up.

Like I said before it's a really small degree of play, maybe totalling about a quarter of an inch, but the overall feel is much looser than the tightness of my first 7-8 days with it.

Ultimately, even if it's tightened, I'm guessing it will come loose again though.

Diversion

No play in my steering wheel and over 2000 miles here.. feels as rock solid as the day I bought it.

Anatoray

I would get it checked out if it bothers you, because peace of mind is priceless. It could be that you're just starting to adjust to driving the car.

SoCal 370Z

Have you checked your tire pressures?

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TheWeatherman

Tire wear? Mine was leaving black marks everywhere when I turned sharply at slow speeds when it was new. Barely any of that now that I have 4,000 miles on it. It's just a guess. (Rounding the edges of the front tires leaves you a bit smaller contact patch, which you may feel through the steering wheel.) Good luck! Drive nicely for those first 1,200. I know, it's tough.

Merkicus

One thing I hate about cars is that anything can be caused by anything else, making it difficult to diagnose, but that always happens with any complex system.

I've not driven it past maybe 90 max and I take good care of it - I don't know enough about it to be able to say whether or not it's the tires but I do know that they left the two N2 tire caps off the left front and left rear tires when I got it.

I'd agree with Anatoray that peace of mind is priceless - the tiny looseness just drives me nuts

It's definitely real - my GF noticed it too while chiding me for being so bothered by it. Whatever, it's my car and she didn't pay for it :P

Merkicus

This is what it was - they fixed it for me. They said that it could come back when I hit a pothole or something again in the future and if it did I could bring it back and it's like a 30 minute change.

However, when they were installing my aftermarket leather they ****** up the installation such that my windows 1) have no more automatic roll up functionality 2) does not roll back up after opening and closing the door such that my window will always be cracked and if I don't manually roll it back up it will just get lower and lower.



Needless to say I'll be driving it back *again* to have them fix this, and demanding my gas be compensated.

Lyndo

um another guy had that problem a few days back, its just becuase the battery was disconnected and just needs a simple reset i think... just a sec i'll see if i can find it for ya, its in the manual but i'll try to find the thread for you.....

edit: found it, this should fix your problem click here hope that helps and glad you got your steering play problem fixed, if you get time you should post some pics of your aftermarket leather.

Justin1686

my question might be on topic here. But my steering wheel will randomly pull to one side at times. My friend who had a G said the same thing happened. It was only once in the first week, but i've felt it happen at least once a day now for the past week. Any ideas?

wstar

It's not random (if it is, then yes you have a very crazy problem, like a ghost in your car). It won't happen driving on a perfectly flat surface... think about it. The road surface is uneven, and the car responds to that in a way that you're not used to from previous cars. Hold the wheel tighter

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