Poor Groove Feel

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Lincoln Mark LT and 2007 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Poor groove feel is characterized by little or no buildup of turning effort felt in the steering gear as the steering wheel is rocked slowly left and right within very small turns around center or straight-ahead (under 20 degrees of steering wheel turn). Efforts may be said to be "flat on center".

Under 20 degrees of turn, most of the turning effort that builds up originates from gear teeth meshing in the steering gear. In this range, the steering wheel is not yet turned enough to feel the effort from the self-aligning forces at the road wheel or tire patch.
In the diagnosis of a driveability problem, it is critical to understand the difference between wander and poor groove feel.