steering by-wire

[92zcamaroperson]

a friend of mine just put her 2006 hhr into a wall. she was making a right turn into a shopping center and was going about 25-30 mph so it was a fast turn but i wouldnt think that wouldve been the problem from the way the wreck looked. she claims she started to turn the steering wheel and it started to turn the car but then wouldnt turn the wheels anymore. she then turned to wheel all the way and still nothing and then she hit the shopping center sign. I was just wondering if anyone has heard of the electronic steering systems in these cars failing. She has had a couple electrical issues already with the car that would come and go and the dealer could never find anything wrong.

[92zcamaroperson]

im not entirely positive the cars even had the by wire steering but i think they do

[Chameleon-kat]

The HHR uses electric assist steering. I do not know what happens if the assist part of it fails

[klinn]

The only difference between what the HHR has an a run of the mill power steering system is an electric motor to assist with steering instead of a belt driven pump. The steering column is still connected to the steering gear with a metal shaft. In the event you lose electrical power, you can still steer the vehicle via physical mechanical parts. Just think of steering a normal power steering system, if the belt driven pump goes out, it is just harder to turn the wheel, kinda the same thing. Harder to turn, but can still be accomplished. The design idea was to make the engine not have to turn a power steering pump, there for getting better fuel economy.
As for the "problems" with the steering systems on the HHR's. Most of them are because while sitting still (like in a driveway or stop light), the steering wheel might shake back and forth about 1/2". No reports have ever come in with not being able to turn, or the wheels won't turn anymore complaint (at least not in the last 3 years of GM electrical steering systems). By the way, the electric steering system is used on the new Malibu, Cobalt, & HHR. Hope this sheds some light, and is not confusing.