2001 OBW VDC steering issue?

[william_hunter]

Hey all, here we go again. I have another issue with my OBW, when I steer, the steering feels loose, and when I go into a turn to the left, the steering judders, the VDC light comes on, and the front end gets more loose, its a little disconcerting. I am hoping this is a simple tie rod issue, but i was hoping to get some thoughts from you all before I go to theshop with it.

[william_hunter]

Interestingly, it appears that the entire issue was due to a single loose lug nut on the right rear tire and both rear tires being soft (way too soft for my comfort..time to unmount and grind the rims). I tightened the lugs, thinking it was a good first step, and found one to be darn near removable by hand..then I added about 12PSI to each rear tire to bring them up to spec (29 PSI) and it seems to have fixed the problem.

[ccrinc]

It's nice to find a "stupid-simple" solution sometimes, isn't it?

 

Emily

[CNY_Dave]

So the VDC system was getting all freaked out, it thought you were sliding all over the place.

[william_hunter]

It's nice to find a "stupid-simple" solution sometimes, isn't it?

 

Emily

 

Darn right it is. I can't believe it was that simple, but it was. Now I know who to blame, and it wasn't me! Yay! Tire place didn't buff the rims or obviously tighten the lugs to specs.

 

So the VDC system was getting all freaked out, it thought you were sliding all over the place.

 

Yeah, and let me tell you, it was disconcerting to say the least. The VDC light came on and it hummed and the front end took a dive, I was sure I had a drivetrain or steering problem that was going to make me drive the car into a pond (on purpose)