Hi All, newbie here. I've had my 99 Z-28 (32K miles) for a month and have started to notice a little "click" feeling when turning the wheel a little to the left from center while driving or when parked with engine running.

It's just one "click" that I feel (not a continuous ratcheting), as if something is either a little loose, (but it seems I have no slop or play in steering), or I'm "catching" on something when turning the wheel.

I'm wondering if this has something to do with the mechanism that allows for locking the steering wheel when you turn off the ignition.

Is there danger that I could one day "lock up" my steering while driving?

Thanks for your help.

 

Update: It seems to only do it after at least a mile or two or driving.

Also, it's not just when turning to left. I get the feeling when I start turning the wheel opposite from the last direction I turned in, and from any position (not just when centered). If I stop turning the wheel, I have to turn back the other way to feel it again. Also, the click happens as soon as I move the wheel in said direction (eg, within a very few degrees)

It's the kind of thing only noticed on smooth pavement or when car is stationary. Bumpy roads completely mask it. Steering effort is not increased at all either.

 

I used to rebuild theft damaged steering columns - the steering wheel lock mechanism is a round plate w/ half circle cut outs along the perimeter. It is directly below the steering wheel underneath a plastic over. The cutouts allow a spring loaded "finger" to make contact and lock into place with the key in the lock position - it gets pulled out of the way when the key is turned towards start.

I do not believe that is your problem !

It is probably like my SS - it had a "clunk" you could feel in the wheel @ a standstill.

The dealer replaced the intermediate shaft - it runs between the bottom of the column to the steering rack & has a u-joint built into it - that seemed to solve the problem.

Pop the hood, have someone start the car & wiggle the wheel back & forth as you listen & look under the hood @ that shaft.

You may find your culprit !

Hope this helps !

It's a biatch trying to internet troubleshoot , so the more responses you get, the more you have to experiment with !

Britt

 

i have the same problem, funny thing i never had it when the car had 19,700 miles...but now at 36,700 it has the click. i just ignore it since it doesn't seem to affect the steering.

don't want to risk taking it to a chevy dealer...last time they bumped my z28's nose into something. fools!

 

Thanks for the replies. I tried looking/listening under the hood with my friend moving the steering wheel but I couldn't pick up anything. (Remarkable though, it's relatively quiet under the hood considering how loud the car is...esp. compared to the '72 Camaro I used to have...used to feel like I was sticking my head into a jet intake with that car)

Yeah, I have much fear and loathing of going to the dealer for this since it seems to drive fine. I will just keep an eye on it for the time being.

 

Is the car stock? If not, what mods? Sometimes (like mine) if you put headers on there is a connection down the steering shaft that ahs a "knuckle" and it can rub the headers. A little work with a dremel will take care of it.
Hope this helps.

 

It's stock (as far as I know!)