Vibration in Steering Wheel
 

My RX8 since new has always had an annoying vibration felt in the steering wheel whether I am cruising or sitting at idle. Its not an alignment or wheel balance issue as it occurs at all speeds and even when the car is at idle. Anyone else having this issue. I did a search and found nothing. Everyone talks about the smoothness so it makes me wonder if my car has a problem. It sometimes gets to the point where my hands start to feel numb. Thanks.

i have the same thing. i took it as being normal. it rumbles alot when it is warming up, and then it gets less noticable when driving.

yeah i have the same problem with mine, but i just figured it was because of my system but good to here it isnt just me, but it sure can get annoying

Nothing like that here.

Don't have that problem either. But you may want to look in to the electric assisted power steering module. Could be a lose grounding or something like that.

Mine's as smooth as can be. Definitely get it checked.

Ah...my 8 does not experience that!! Something is not right. Dealer time.

- Irish :cool:

I would say this is normal but you are looking at it under a microscope which makes the problem seem bigger then it is.

All RX-8's do this, for some it is nothing more then what we call 'normal' while others such as yourself are looking for this issue and are more sensitive to it.

I would have answered this question as a 'no my car doesn't do it' but today I went for a ride to look for what you are describing and it does indeed do it, I just consider it normal.

This car communicates with the driver and is not as insulated as some other cars like a Lexus ...while Lexus tries to solve all types of roan interaction, the RX8 doesn't since drivers like us need these feelings to tell us what the car is doing.

I bet if you stop thinking about this vibration, in time you will forget it's there.

I noticed mine doing the same thing. It slowly rocks back and forth as you cruise down the highway as soon as you let go of the wheel it stops. I figure it has to do with the electric steering. You think it is a very mild balance problem, but can't be because when you let go it stops.

smooth as silk here. I would get it checked out if I were you. That's what warranties are for.

Mine is too. I agree, get it checked!

Maybe I am wrong but it really sounds like the engine is being felt through the steering at idle and then as driving it sounds like roads feel. Unless the original poster is sayig he feels this vibration only when turning the steering wheel.

Those of you who are saying your cars are as smooth as silk ... please go and grip your steerig wheel with both hands and drive, then check back here and tell me if you feel anything through your steering wheel or if you are saying your steering wheel transmit no feedback of any sort ... I would say on some pavements which are rougher you will feel it greater.

Smooth as silk here too.

WRT the original complaint, that there is a significant vibration at idle. "Normal" might be a very, very slight vibration that you would notice only when thinking about it or looking for it. "Significant" would be something that pretty much anyone would notice as soon as they started the car. Without getting in the car, it's really tough to say which it is...or what the cause might be.

Once the car is in motion, the RX-8 steering rack transmits a lot more road feel than most other cars, but that's what it is...road feel. It's not a vibration.

typerr: do you have a manual or automatic? I can't speak for the automatic, but my manual does not exhibit excessive steering wheel vibration at idle. I had a '90 Integra that had ridiculous steering wheel vibration--this car is very smooth in comparison. You may have a problem with the engine mounts. They may be damaged, or extremely bound up. Either of these situations would cause excessive powertrain vibration to be transmitted to the body and possibly the steering wheel. Refer to the following threads related to engine mount problems:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=motor+mounts

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...=engine+mounts

To elaborate on steering wheel vibration and/or road feel ...
 

Inspired by another thread on this subject, the original poster said his steering wheel had a vibration in it at a standstill and while driving and it;s not a wheel balance problem or anyhting like that ... here's the link ... https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=48068


Anyway some people said there is smooth as silk and here is what I don't understand. I have driven both my RX8 and my stepfathers rx8 and they both have a vibration in the steering wheel. I wouldn't say it's noticable unless you actually feel the steering wheel and are thinking to look for it.

Meanwhile it is there and if the road is smooth it is not as much as on a rougher road. It doesn't numb your hands or anything that extreme but keep in mind I am now trying to feel for it.

I still find it hard to beleive this would not be normal ... all my past cars have some type of sign of this and I contribute it to normal feedback ...


Don't all RX8's do this ?

My 8 has no steeringwheel vibration at speed or under braking at all. Now, yes, there is a degree of vibration if driving or braking on a rough road surface. I think you need to help us understand if this happens to you always regardless of road surface.

Also, have you checked your tire pressures recently? My tires are always at 32psi.

- Irish :cool:

Well most roads here in Long Island NY aren't really smooth but here is exactly what I am saying.

With both hands on the wheel, you feel some engine feedback through the steering wheel. It is not something you would normally notice unless you are specifically looking for it but tomorrow when you are driving, put both hands on the wheel and see what you feel.

It's not like the steering wheel feels totally dead like when the car is off.

The best way to describe it is to say it has a slight feeling of engine to it.

BTW my stepfather said his car doesn't do it so I went there this evening to drive his rx8 and it does indeed have the 'feel' I am describing.

I am not talking about the same feeling from an unbalanced tire where it is obvious. I am talking about this as if we are talking about it under a microscope

Cool. I'll check it out tomorrow and PM you.

- Irish :cool:

Great ... thanks !!

i get a vibration in my steering wheel when i'm up to 100. does anyone think this might be a motor mount problem also. other then a high speed she's nice and smooth...

I don't think that is a sign of a bad engione mount (not that I know about these things) but I would think a bad motor mount would be seen in the upper rpm range when the engine is working harder ... this is my best guess ...

Maybe someone else can let us know ...

are we talking about a vibration or more like a buzzing being felt? Did any of your old car have elctric assisted steering like the 8? That's probably got something to do with it.

Can you explain how the electric steering would have something to do with it ? I'd like to learn about it - thanks !!

To answer your question I wish I could explain it better but it's hard to put in words but what I feel is what I would definitely say is roadfeel. It is a slight vibration (at times as it depends on the road surface and the rpm's) through the wheel and if you drive on rough pavement it is more noticable while there are other times like on a smooth road at a steady speed and you won't feel anything.

Keep in mind both my rx8 and my step fathers rx8 have this feeling. I remember the same feeling in my friends 2000 911 (think its called a 996) but in the Porsche it was definitely more pronounced. My old boxster had the same feeling as well but again more so in the boxster then in the Rx8.

Engine mounts are felt when you take off, especially with the steering wheel is fully turned left or right. I don't think it is the mounts.

I am betting it is the stiffness of your car. Sorry. Suspension vs. things moving around (engine, fuel pump, ac comp, belts, whatever.)

Maybe I am wrong.

Good luck.