Steering issues - any comments?

14163 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by mswaim, Dec 31, 2004

pob

Discussion Starter · Oct 11, 2004

I've had my XLR since March '04. I also have had problems with the power steering resevoir, but it goes beyond that. I signed up for a high performance driving course at Sears Point. Lost the steering early on in the exercise, before I even had a chance to get the car out on the full track. Had it taken back to the dealer on a flatbed and the diagnosis was "cracked oil resevoir". Got it back and went back to finish the course, without incident this time. However, a month later I went back for "track days". I had been around the track maybe seven or eight times when I got a loud whine, smoke out the rear and a transmission overheat signal from the DIC. But it was the steering unit again. The oil got so hot it literally destroyed the resevoir. Back on the flatbed again. They put in another resevoir and released the car to me, but it was still whining and it got worse (started growling) so back in it went. Turns out the rack and pinion was burned up also. They ordered the new part but when it came in they discovered that they didn't have the special Corvette tool required to install it. More time goes by with my expensive toy in the shop. Today they called and said that the new gear is installed but that the car is still whinning. Meanwhile I have had an ongoing discussion with customer service over whether they will warranty it on the race track (not racing mind you, just enjoying it ). They finally got back to me this morning and said no, they will not. I will pursue this to a hgher level because I think that if they are serious about competing with the Germans then they should back the car. Maybe I'm off base here but that is my opinion. Meanwhile, the Audis, Mercs., Bimmers etc. (including a $30K Mustang here and there) are merrily blasting around that race track with no problems. Even the Vettes seem to survive. If you read the book they sent to us you learn that they experienced this steering overheating problem in testing and supposedly fixed it. Looks to me like they didn't succeed. I'm more than a little irk'd to say the least.

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1_XLR

· #2 · Oct 11, 2004

13000+ miles and on my 4th PS reservoir.
It irks me that such a simple part continues to leak a be a problem.
It sounds as though there may be more to it than just a faulty reservoir,
but it's the only problem I have had with the steering system....so far.
I may be heating up the fluids enough to damage the reservoir only,
while your doing further damage on the track :confused

Please keep us posted

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mckolody

· #3 · Dec 24, 2004

pob said:
I've had my XLR since March '04. I also have had problems with the power steering resevoir, but it goes beyond that. I signed up for a high performance driving course at Sears Point. Lost the steering early on in the exercise, before I even had a chance to get the car out on the full track. Had it taken back to the dealer on a flatbed and the diagnosis was "cracked oil resevoir". Got it back and went back to finish the course, without incident this time. However, a month later I went back for "track days". I had been around the track maybe seven or eight times when I got a loud whine, smoke out the rear and a transmission overheat signal from the DIC. But it was the steering unit again. The oil got so hot it literally destroyed the resevoir. Back on the flatbed again. They put in another resevoir and released the car to me, but it was still whining and it got worse (started growling) so back in it went. Turns out the rack and pinion was burned up also. They ordered the new part but when it came in they discovered that they didn't have the special Corvette tool required to install it. More time goes by with my expensive toy in the shop. Today they called and said that the new gear is installed but that the car is still whinning. Meanwhile I have had an ongoing discussion with customer service over whether they will warranty it on the race track (not racing mind you, just enjoying it ). They finally got back to me this morning and said no, they will not. I will pursue this to a hgher level because I think that if they are serious about competing with the Germans then they should back the car. Maybe I'm off base here but that is my opinion. Meanwhile, the Audis, Mercs., Bimmers etc. (including a $30K Mustang here and there) are merrily blasting around that race track with no problems. Even the Vettes seem to survive. If you read the book they sent to us you learn that they experienced this steering overheating problem in testing and supposedly fixed it. Looks to me like they didn't succeed. I'm more than a little irk'd to say the least.

Sir
I read with considerable interest your comments on what you indicated the work the dealer did to correct your problem.

I have a 2004 XLR and the steering is noisy and I am wondering if in fact your dealer replaced the pump.

The pump is the first component to fail when fluid is lost and whines or moans when fluid is absent.

This causes the gear to score and become noisy.

My question to you is did the dealer replace the pump as well in your vehicle. Does your warranty repair order state pump replacement?

Thank you kindly

mckolody

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mckolody

· #4 · Dec 24, 2004

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· #5 · Dec 24, 2004

Granted, I haven't had any problems with my new XLR since July, but you guys are scaring the crap out of me. I wouldn't stand for this for a New York minute. Buy back or lemon law it. This is starting to sound really bad, and I have a deposit on a new XLR-V? Think I'll go have my brain examined.
Merry Christmas everyone

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mswaim

· #6 · Dec 24, 2004

pob said:
I've had my XLR since March '04. I also have had problems with the power steering resevoir, but it goes beyond that. I signed up for a high performance driving course at Sears Point. Lost the steering early on in the exercise, before I even had a chance to get the car out on the full track. Had it taken back to the dealer on a flatbed and the diagnosis was "cracked oil resevoir". Got it back and went back to finish the course, without incident this time. However, a month later I went back for "track days". I had been around the track maybe seven or eight times when I got a loud whine, smoke out the rear and a transmission overheat signal from the DIC. But it was the steering unit again. The oil got so hot it literally destroyed the resevoir. Back on the flatbed again. They put in another resevoir and released the car to me, but it was still whining and it got worse (started growling) so back in it went. Turns out the rack and pinion was burned up also. They ordered the new part but when it came in they discovered that they didn't have the special Corvette tool required to install it. More time goes by with my expensive toy in the shop. Today they called and said that the new gear is installed but that the car is still whinning. Meanwhile I have had an ongoing discussion with customer service over whether they will warranty it on the race track (not racing mind you, just enjoying it ). They finally got back to me this morning and said no, they will not. I will pursue this to a hgher level because I think that if they are serious about competing with the Germans then they should back the car. Maybe I'm off base here but that is my opinion. Meanwhile, the Audis, Mercs., Bimmers etc. (including a $30K Mustang here and there) are merrily blasting around that race track with no problems. Even the Vettes seem to survive. If you read the book they sent to us you learn that they experienced this steering overheating problem in testing and supposedly fixed it. Looks to me like they didn't succeed. I'm more than a little irk'd to say the least.

All of the cars you listed in your post would suffer the same consequences if they were taken to the dealer with mechanical problems and the owner stated that the car failed while competing on a race track.

I used to autocross my Dodge Viper and Mustang Cobra all the time and raced against Covettes, BMW's and tons of other cars and trucks (Lightnings). They all suffered part failures at one point or another, just a by-product of enjoying your vehicle's sport qualities.

Most of us learned the hard way that if you take your car in for service, never admit to racing, it's a sure fire way to void your power train warranty and in some cases your entire warranty.

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· #7 · Dec 24, 2004 (Edited)

Sorry mswaim, but I didn't post the post with all the cars named in it. That would have been POB. Nor would I ever think of telling the folks I bought the car from that I was, street racing. drag strip racing, running around a course or oval.
Does Macy's tell Gimbles. (boy, that's an old one from back east)

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mswaim

· #8 · Dec 24, 2004

standby said:
Sorry mswaim, but I didn't post the post with all the cars named in it. That would have been POB. Nor would I ever think of telling the folks I bought the car from that I was, street racing. drag strip racing, running around a course or oval.
Does Macy's tell Gimbles. (boy, that's an old one from back east)

My post was in response to POB; hense the attached quote - but in response to your last one, almost all of the problems people are experiencing are small ones (although the failing reservoir issue is quite bothersome) and most are being solved as soon as they pop up. Due to the low number of units in production parts are going to be in short supply, lengthening some of the repair times.

To date with over 13,000 miles the only part failure I have experienced was a daylight running bulb. Not bad, although my 03 Cobra had 12,000 miles on it when I sold it and it was never in the shop and that car was built for only one thing and I made sure it delivered everyt ime I drove it. lol 390 horses stock and when I let it go it was making more than 450 rear wheel ponies and still no failures.

Overall the XLR seems to be living up to its expectations. To me its just a car, a bit exclusive for now, but just a car that I plan on replacing within the next year anyway. If it holds together until then I'll be happy.

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pob

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 25, 2004

Re: steering issues

mckolody said:
Sir
I read with considerable interest your comments on what you indicated the work the dealer did to correct your problem.

I have a 2004 XLR and the steering is noisy and I am wondering if in fact your dealer replaced the pump.

The pump is the first component to fail when fluid is lost and whines or moans when fluid is absent.

This causes the gear to score and become noisy.

My question to you is did the dealer replace the pump as well in your vehicle. Does your warranty repair order state pump replacement?

Thank you kindly

mckolody

Interesting that you should bring this back up. As stated earlier, when I picked up the car after they installed the rack and pinion I simply assumed that they had also installed a new pump, and thus was inclined to believe them when they said they thought the whine was coming from the transmission. However, once I drove the car I realized that it was the same whine I had had earlier with the first bad pump. They said that they had put a mechanics stethoscope on both the trans and the pump and that the noise was definitely coming from the trans. I got a scope and heard just the opposite. So I said order and install a new pump on me and lets see. Yep, it was the pump - whine was gone when I picked up the car. I now wonder whether they knew what they were doing when they said the rack and pinion was shot. The mechanic had said that he saw some oil dripping off of it and decided that it had a leak. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't. Concerning the older pump, I disassembled it and all of its parts look fine, but it was definitely whining. Probably had a small leak past the vanes or rotor which I could not detect. So if you have a whine I suggest that you put some pressure on your dealership to replace it. On the warranty, that is another very sore issue with me. They basically invalidated it, but then called back and said that, no, they were going to go ahead and honor the warranty on the car. I posted this info previousy. What I have not posted is that they then called again and "re-invalidated" the warranty. This is apparently the workings of the local Cadillac rep. and the local service manager. I am pursuing the issue but do not expect to get very far. This is my first experience with Cadillac, and suffice to say that if they continue to treat me this way it will be the last. I would rather buy an American car, but I will have no qualms about buying German or even Italian next time. That new M5 looks very interesting, and it has extra seating.
pob

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XLR I FL

· #10 · Dec 27, 2004

Well let's be sure YOU understand that it YOU not the car that has it's warranty invalidated.

The second you trade it or there is a new owner it will be covered for the remainder of the 48 months. Of course a non-GM dealer will have a problem figuring out how to get the warranty reinstated.

I wonder if you would be liable if you didn't disclose the lack of warranty coverage if you trade the vechicle.

I'll bet the Vette power steering pump is a close if not an exact fit for the xlr.

Regards

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pob

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 31, 2004

Huh?

So, what you are saying is that because I had the audacity to actually take the car to a race track for a high performance driving course, they have decided that I will continuoulsy abuse the car and therefore will not warrant it while I own it, but will reinstate the warranty for a future owner? Either you take me or them for idiots. If I abuse the car so much that they won't cover it then any future owner would inherit the accumulated damage - why should they cover that? And in order to continuously abuse the car then I must drive on the open roads like a mainiac. Somehow neither makes sense to me. And a car of this caliber should be able to handle a few hours of driving at the track on occasion. If not then they should pull their advertising and tell all current and future owners that this is not a performance oriented car. And nowhere in the discussions so far has the concept on not warranting the car while at the track been raised. It's just no warranty at all. I would even understand if they said they were going to prorate the warranty, but to simply cancel it pisses me off. Concerning the pump and Corvettes, if you read the book about the development of the XLR you will find out that they had a problem with the steering overheating when testing in Europe. If it were the same pump (the rack and pinon are the same) then why a problem with the XLR but not the vette? And you should see the oil cooler fix. It's a little loop of the oil return hose which is routed up into the fan wash. What a joke! Sorry, but in my opinion they screwed up on the steering and just don't want to have to deal with it.

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mswaim

· #12 · Dec 31, 2004

I feel your pain and realize that you are very upset at this point, however I can tell you from personal experience that no matter what Italian, German, etc. (including the M5) you buy next, if you tell them you have been racing their product they will void the warranty.

The moment you walked into your dealersip and told them you had been running your XLR at Sears Point you screwed up, plain and simple. I know of several Ford Cobra owners who have made the same mistake ands suffered the same consequences.

I know of one Honda S2000 owner who will NEVER discuss running his car at Sears Point again (my brother). his warranty was voided by a dealer who he has been doing business with for more than 20 years.

He pointed out to them that he had a truck equipped with tons of TRD parts installed by their shop and they were just as quick to remind him that the moment the parts were installed, he wrote off his factory warranty.

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