A few days ago, before my wife hit something on the road and had a blow out, I was driving the bolt in a parking lot and noticed an odd 'thumping' noise when steering from left to right that also created a sort of 'thump' that could be felt on the floorboard in my feet. I was basically in a parking lot going in and out of parking spaces to get to the closest one to the store. It was early Sunday and Lowes was not busy. We came out of the store 10 minutes later and it hasn't done it since. I'm thinking related to the electric power steering, but not sure as I've had similar electric steering in various GM vehicle going back to my 05 Cobalt SS.

Anyone else experience something similar?

Are you sure there wasn't something wrong with the tire before the blow out?

 

I am not sure because it was on the inside of the front passenger tire that blew out. I could feel the thump while driving in the parking lot, but it went away shortly after. Perhaps the tire was already compromised and this event gave it that final blow.

Heading off to Discount in Greensboro for a new tire. I was happy to learn they have 5 in stock.

Has anyone tried a donut spare for a Cruze or other vehicle with the same bolt pattern as an emergency back up?

 

I put all new tires on it yesterday and took it in for an alignment today. I had them inspect suspension and steering components and everything checks out. Of course, I am relying on their visual inspection for now, but if whatever that thump was returns, I'll have to pull my project off the lift and inspect everything myself. It doesn't have any stored codes and feels great with the new tires and alignment.

Thanks!

 

Do you have after-market floor mats?

Sometimes they'll slip forward, and a bolt on the steering column can grab and release it as it rotates, resulting in a thumping noise.

 

Yes, WeatherTech, and that is exactly what was happening. The connector at the rear on the accelerator side was disconnected causing it to move forward.

Thank you, Greg. One less thing for me to think about!

 

Because of incidents where loose mats obstructed brake or throttle pedal movement, mat-restraining devices were added to most cars sold in the US in the last ten years. I have noticed that when a car wash handles the mats, they usually fail to re-engage the latch pins (or whatever you may have.) I would not buy an aftermarket mat that was not compatible with my car's mat restraint design. It's too important. This is why the NTSB tracks accidents with cause codes, rather like medical diagnoses. Regulation is not always a bad thing, especially when your family's lives are involved.

 

That's exactly what happened. She had it washed and they failed to properly secure the mat. She's the primary driver of the Bolt, so I am still getting familiar with things.