T300 base, 3 months old making odd noises

Davy Jones · Sep 26, 2016

I bought a T300 Integral set (Alcantara wheel, T3PA pedals) in June. Have been using on PC with default settings mostly. Yesterday I noticed a creaking/squeaking sound when the wheel is at 90 degrees, it hasn't been there before.

I was driving the Lausitzring in RRE which is very twisty. I tried it for the first time yesterday as part of the DTM content and then noticed the sounds coming while turning and the wheel is under load. Again default settings pretty much on the wheel and in in-game vehicle.

I've contacted Thrustmaster Support outlining the details and sent them a couple of videos to explain. I'm wondering are the sounds normal after a few months use? And if anyone else has experienced the same?

PicoBp · Sep 26, 2016

Yep, same issue here, and nope, not normal. RMA is the word you're looking for.

Davy Jones · Sep 26, 2016

So do you think this is a return item? If so I'd return just the base I assume? Did you return yours or receive a replacement?

I read somewhere, ISRTV forums I think that they will in some cases offer to send a replacement but which would be a refurbished base and you would retain the old unit but cut the cables on it or something. Sounded odd.

Davy Jones · Sep 26, 2016

I called their support. They'll examine the videos and if it's RMA they'll pay to have it collected and shipped to France (as I'm in Europe) for testing. They told me if it's faulty they'll replace with a new base.. No racing for a while then..

Davy Jones · Sep 26, 2016

Thrustmaster Support have suggested the following,

"There is a high chance that this squeaking noise is caused by the fact that the bolts used to tighten the wheel on your racing stand, are not perfectly aligned so they can in time deform the base, causing the wheel's shaft to rub against the "wall".

The test that we want you to perform is the following: dismount the wheel and clamp it to the desk using the V shaped clamp and screw provided in the box with with the product, to see if the issue persists."

I removed the two bolts to remove the T300 from the Wheel Stand Pro base and bolted to a desk as they requested and the noises persist as far as I can tell. I take their point but it seems like an odd suggestion?

Frank · Sep 26, 2016

SeriousNewb said:
Thrustmaster Support have suggested the following,

"There is a high chance that this squeaking noise is caused by the fact that the bolts used to tighten the wheel on your racing stand, are not perfectly aligned so they can in time deform the base, causing the wheel's shaft to rub against the "wall".

The test that we want you to perform is the following: dismount the wheel and clamp it to the desk using the V shaped clamp and screw provided in the box with with the product, to see if the issue persists."

I removed the two bolts to remove the T300 from the Wheel Stand Pro base and bolted to a desk as they requested and the noises persist as far as I can tell. I take their point but it seems like an odd suggestion?

They just want to disclose everything, just make a new video to their questions and you will get a replacement.

Davy Jones · Sep 27, 2016

Frank said:
They just want to disclose everything, just make a new video to their questions and you will get a replacement.

I get the point but there are two holes on the metal plate on the stand that line up with two mounting screw positions on the base of the T300 unit. If anything was out of alignment I guess the threads on the bolts would be ruined or they're suggesting that the base was mounted at an angle, I dont know...

Bolted the base to a desk, noises still present. They'll wish to collect the unit for testing before sending a replacement, so as you say they will send one but I'll be offline for a while, i.e. without a base for 2-3 weeks, before they do.

Rodent · Sep 27, 2016

Had the same with my first T300, got it replaced very quickly but I went through the retailer instead of TM.

Davy Jones · Sep 27, 2016

Rodent said:
Had the same with my first T300, got it replaced very quickly but I went through the retailer instead of TM.

I had been thinking the same. I have the purchase receipt with states two years warranty so should I approach the store instead. I bought a base, wheel and pedal set but only need the base replaced. Perhaps they'll replace the whole set, I'll have to ask them.

Rodent · Sep 27, 2016

That's what my retailer did, they were quite open about the fact that they'd just send the stuff back to TM since they didn't do repairs etc themselves but they had no problem what so ever with handing me a new set. Bright side is that it meant a new alcantara rim as well, mmm that new alcantara smell.

Davy Jones · Sep 27, 2016

Rodent said:
That's what my retailer did, they were quite open about the fact that they'd just send the stuff back to TM since they didn't do repairs etc themselves but they had no problem what so ever with handing me a new set. Bright side is that it meant a new alcantara rim as well, mmm that new alcantara smell.

I've contacted the retailer to enquire. I bought gloves to protect the Alcantara from wear, now feel like I shouldn't have bothered

PicoBp · Sep 27, 2016

As I have the T300 Ferrari Integral Alcantare bundle, I had to return it as a whole. Went through RMA once as my first set had some factory bearing defect, I got a brand new pack back. The RMA process for the squeeking and clunking noises is still in progress, but I expect the same results (shiny new package). I also went through my retailer.

Davy Jones · Sep 27, 2016

PicoBp said:
As I have the T300 Ferrari Integral Alcantare bundle, I had to return it as a whole. Went through RMA once as my first set had some factory bearing defect, I got a brand new pack back. The RMA process for the squeeking and clunking noises is still in progress, but I expect the same results (shiny new package). I also went through my retailer.

Thrustmaster in France said if an RMA was to happen that they would collect the base only for testing. Which makes sense. I'll wait and see what the retailer replies first.

I removed the base from the Wheel Stand Pro and bolted to a desk using their mount instead as Thrustmaster suggested, the noises of course continued and I made another video for them. No follow-up from them as yet. The Wheel Stand Pro mounting plate aligns correctly with the mounting screws on the T300 so a misalignment was never an issue and many like me never use their mounting solution..

Davy Jones · Sep 28, 2016

I went back to the store with the T300 Ferrari Integral boxed up, they didn't have a replacement in stock so they offered a refund which I took. I looked at a G29, I've always seen the T300 listed as better and Logitech support isn't any better that Thrustmaster's...

That store and another store I've purchased gear from in the past didn't have the T300 Ferrari Integral set in stock. Sold out I guess and perhaps there'll be more available in a while. If I get another I'd prefer to get it from somewhere local where I can return it myself if needs be. Should I look to buy another or something else? Without a wheel right now so my Wheel Stand Pro is looking a bit bare

Davy Jones · Sep 29, 2016

Following returning the wheel set to the retailer yesterday and receiving a refund I called Thrustmaster support to inform them, the guy thanked my and said he would inform his colleague or something and today I received the following

"Regarding your T300 Ferrari Integral Racing Wheel Alcantara Edition.
Thank you for the video.
After analysing the data, we concluded that we need to retrieve the base for a technical inspection.
Before starting the RMA procedure for your wheel, please reply directly to this email providing us with the following:
- a copy of the proof of purchase
- a picture taken at the serial number written on the sticker located under the base
- your complete postal details with a phone number where you can be reached
We are looking forward to your reply."

From my own experiences and reading online these are my conclusions:
1. If purchasing a T300 set buy locally in case you need to return/replace it.
2. Upgrade the firmware to version 25 and set the internal fan to always on. Admittedly I left it on auto but given that I mostly used default settings and kept the FFB quite low I don't think I caused any harm
3. On both occasions when I called they were telling my about how complex the device internals are and how many moving parts there are. I get their point but honestly I don't care and don't say that to a customer. So much for all the fancy mechanism related graphics on the box then.

jonelsorel · Apr 12, 2018

The T300 squeaks mainly because the gears aren't manufactured with nano-precision and thus wobble (here's to globalization), and so the belts that run on them occasionally rub against their sides (mine squeaked on the main shaft gear). This even happens with car timing belts and is nothing that some silicone grease applied with care (only) to the side of the belt can't fix, which will save you the month or so it takes TM on average to send your base back.

Davy Jones · Apr 12, 2018

jonelsorel said:
The T300 squeaks mainly because the gears aren't manufactured with nano-precision and thus wobble (here's to globalization), and so the belts that run on them occasionally rub against their sides (mine squeaked on the main shaft gear). This even happens with car timing belts and is nothing that some silicone grease (good for applied with care (only) to the side of the belt can't fix, which will save you the month or so it takes TM on average to send your base back.

Thanks, are there some instructions on how and where to apply this silicone grease?
I'm on my third T300 base now, overview below

jonelsorel · Apr 12, 2018

I know it can be a bit of a hassle if you've never done it before, but the best advice i can give you is to dismantle the wheel it until you can take off the big belt (one connecting the steering shaft to the middle gear, one to its right). Meaning removing the bottom plate (2 screws, 2 clips) and this part here (4 screws):

When you get to this point do make sure you turn your wheel full lock left or right and make marks where the teeth meet the chassis for ALL 3 gears in this position: motor gear, middle gear (bottom of the image) and steering shaft gear (left). This is your guarantee that you will install it back just the way it was originally, avoiding any calibration issues or worse.

At this point what i did is remove the big belt and smooth out its edges with some sandpaper. Its imperfections actually make the squeaking noises when they rub against steering shaft gear edge.

Next I cleaned it a bit and installed it back on making sure all gears are in the exact same position they were when I took it off (all marked). Next I just took a small amount of grease on my index and just rubbed it on the edge of the belt, the edge facing you when you drive, while slowly turning the wheel. I did the same for the front facing edge and then used a toothpick to grease up the edges of the small belt too. If you do happen to rub some on the smooth (upper) side of the belts, clean it up, as the roller wheels will probably not roll much anymore with it there.

Then I just put everything back on and it's just perfect. I'm sure that had i RMA'd it i would've gotten another one just like it or maybe worse, considering the quality of the belts and gears.

Cheers!

Davy Jones · Apr 13, 2018

jonelsorel said:
Next I cleaned it a bit and installed it back on making sure all gears are in the exact same position they were when I took it off (all marked). Next I just took a small amount of grease on my index and just rubbed it on the edge of the belt, the edge facing you when you drive, while slowly turning the wheel. I did the same for the front facing edge and then used a toothpick to grease up the edges of the small belt too. If you do happen to rub some on the smooth (upper) side of the belts, clean it up, as the roller wheels will probably not roll much anymore with it there.

Then I just put everything back on and it's just perfect. I'm sure that had i RMA'd it i would've gotten another one just like it or maybe worse, considering the quality of the belts and gears.

Cheers!

Point taken however if I was to try that like an old clockwork device I'd be putting it back together and there would be pieces left over...