Steering - play and creaking from column

[1Lucid1]

The steering has developed significant play which is most pronounced this first few turns after start up. Even after long drive, it makes creaking sounds, which don't come from the steering wheels itself (replaced twice already). Anyone else having that issue. Car at 20K miles and 1.5 years of driving.

 

[Lester Atlas]

I have noticed that from time to time. Usually right after start up and only if its really hot. It goes away fairly quickly. My solution was to turn up the stereo.

 

[OutrightPace]

There are several threads on the play and creaking problem. I have had both issues. For me, the play issue was resolved with a new steering wheel, while the creaking went away for a few months with the new wheel but then unfortunately returned. Service tells me there is nothing else they can do for the wheel. It is is clearly a design flaw in the wheel, and it is quite annoying. I agree that using the stereo is the best way to deal with it.

 

[borski]

There are several threads on the play and creaking problem. I have had both issues. For me, the play issue was resolved with a new steering wheel, while the creaking went away for a few months with the new wheel but then unfortunately returned. Service tells me there is nothing else they can do for the wheel. It is is clearly a design flaw in the wheel, and it is quite annoying. I agree that using the stereo is the best way to deal with it.

My second replacement fixed my creak long term. YMMV.

 

[1Lucid1]

My second replacement fixed my creak long term. YMMV.

steering wheel replacement, you mean. I think the problem come from the electric unit that translates steering into wheel movement. That would explain inconsistent play. The creaking no no comes from the wheel itself, but from the plastic unit behind, and potentially deeper.

 

[borski]

steering wheel replacement, you mean. I think the problem come from the electric unit that translates steering into wheel movement. That would explain inconsistent play. The creaking no no comes from the wheel itself, but from the plastic unit behind, and potentially deeper.

Yes, I meant steering wheel replacement. In my case, the wheel only creaked when flexed laterally; as in, not when you turned it, but if you flexed it back and forward it would creak.

You should not have a creak behind the wheel. Can you video it?

 

[segbrk]

Not a creak exactly, but I had a ratchet-like clicking sound from the steering column that was fixed by replacing an internal piece of the steering column rather than the wheel.

 

[Grey Boy]

steering wheel replacement, you mean. I think the problem come from the electric unit that translates steering into wheel movement. That would explain inconsistent play. The creaking no no comes from the wheel itself, but from the plastic unit behind, and potentially deeper.

I just noticed this same issue tonight. My creaking was not coming from the steering wheel itself. Something deeper behind the dash seemed to be causing it.

 

[donfenn]

I have a similar issue... An intermittent soft pop, or creak which seems to be somewhere within column or steering linkage. I have had steering wheel replaced due to delimitation of cover.. I have checked the trim around column for fitment etc... I guess Lucid service department will need to do a deeper dive.

 

[PeterB]

I bought a 23 Air Pure AWD (demo vehicle) earlier this year. With higher temperatures the creaking sounds of my steering wheel got louder and are really annoying.
Looking into it I realized that in my case the creaking sounds come from the connections of the black plastic parts of the steering wheel.
In the attached video I show the sounds during handling the steering wheel and then I press the area around the connections between the two black plastic parts to show where the sounds come from.
Does anyone else experience this problem?
Will replacing the steering wheel solve this issue?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Peter

 

[AirQuality]

I bought a 23 Air Pure AWD (demo vehicle) earlier this year. With higher temperatures the creaking sounds of my steering wheel got louder and are really annoying.
Looking into it I realized that in my case the creaking sounds come from the connections of the black plastic parts of the steering wheel.
In the attached video I show the sounds during handling the steering wheel and then I press the area around the connections between the two black plastic parts to show where the sounds come from.
Does anyone else experience this problem?
Will replacing the steering wheel solve this issue?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Peter

I have a 23 Air Pure AWD with a steering wheel that also made creaking sounds similar to (although perhaps less obvious than) those in your video. Service replaced the steering wheel about 9 months ago and the problem completely went away.

 

[borski]

I bought a 23 Air Pure AWD (demo vehicle) earlier this year. With higher temperatures the creaking sounds of my steering wheel got louder and are really annoying.
Looking into it I realized that in my case the creaking sounds come from the connections of the black plastic parts of the steering wheel.
In the attached video I show the sounds during handling the steering wheel and then I press the area around the connections between the two black plastic parts to show where the sounds come from.
Does anyone else experience this problem?
Will replacing the steering wheel solve this issue?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Peter

Yes; service will replace your steering wheel under warranty and this problem will be fixed.

 

[donfenn]

Interesting...As I mentioned earlier, i had my steering wheel replaced previously due to a delimitation of the cover, and six months later I have the slightest pop or creak.. The Beverly Hills Lucid service center told me its not a common issue, but they are going to make an appointment to sort it..

 

[audiojerry]

Not common? Really?

I got my car last June, had the wheel replaced in July for the same problem, and had it replaced again last month for the same problem. I'm
happy it's covered by warranty. Warranty service has been excellent, but have had too many service calls in less than a year.

 

[borski]

Not common? Really?

I got my car last June, had the wheel replaced in July for the same problem, and had it replaced again last month for the same problem. I'm
happy it's covered by warranty. Warranty service has been excellent, but have had too many service calls in less than a year.

It isn't common. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, or that some folks are unluckier than others.

 

[1Lucid1]

Update: My trusted and most capable mobile service guy looked into the loose steering wheel matter. He concluded that the sound and feel comes from the airbag unit inside the steering wheel. The airbag has some play. That is why on steep turns, when the steering wheel moves 90 degrees, it blobs down a bit. There is no easy fix for that - he tried before on another car with increasing friction, but area too small. A new steering wheel edition has come out (I am already on my 3rd steering wheel, but one generation before) and he ordered it for me. But unsure if it will fix it - but worth a try a better than disassembling the entire steering unit. A colleague of his has been swapping steering wheels out on Sapphires with this issue with hit and miss success....Stay tuned.

Key point: If you have this problem, now you know what and how to communicate to service team, and they can test and reproduce the problem, and fixing it.

 

[joec]

Update: My trusted and most capable mobile service guy looked into the loose steering wheel matter. He concluded that the sound and feel comes from the airbag unit inside the steering wheel. The airbag has some play. That is why on steep turns, when the steering wheel moves 90 degrees, it blobs down a bit. There is no easy fix for that - he tried before on another car with increasing friction, but area too small. A new steering wheel edition has come out (I am already on my 3rd steering wheel, but one generation before) and he ordered it for me. But unsure if it will fix it - but worth a try a better than disassembling the entire steering unit. A colleague of his has been swapping steering wheels out on Sapphires with this issue with hit and miss success....Stay tuned.

Key point: If you have this problem, now you know what and how to communicate to service team, and they can test and reproduce the problem, and fixing it.

Thanks. This is the sort of post we love here. Practical advice, hard won from experience. And helpful to others who may be experiencing the same issue. Thanks for posting this. And do keep us posted if the new wheel works out.

 

[idiot900]

Not a creak exactly, but I had a ratchet-like clicking sound from the steering column that was fixed by replacing an internal piece of the steering column rather than the wheel.

I think I have this as well. Intermittent, went away spontaneously after a mobile service visit, gone for at least a year, back now. Service center will look at it during the same visit as upgrading my CCC.