Yes, it seems like some of the first batch across EU had that problem too. If you read back a few pages you can see that a direct Thrustmaster repair of one of those wheels highlighted a component error in the motor assembly which had to be replaced. It wouldn't surprise me if it was a specific batch, and your supplier appears to have multiple wheels from that batch....Has anyone else experienced the 'clunking/knocking' noises coming from inside the motor assembly or have I just had the crappiest luck? I've returned two of these now both with the same issue. Maybe us here in NZ just got sent a dud batch?
I've opted for the refund for now anyway until they sell through/send the bad stock back to Thrustmaster. With the postponement of Project Cars, I'm in no hurry for one just at the moment. In saying that, Driveclub is a ton better with a wheel....Yes, it seems like some of the first batch across EU had that problem too. If you read back a few pages you can see that a direct Thrustmaster repair of one of those wheels highlighted a component error in the motor assembly which had to be replaced. It wouldn't surprise me if it was a specific batch, and your supplier appears to have multiple wheels from that batch....
I've opted for the refund for now anyway until they sell through/send the bad stock back to Thrustmaster. With the postponement of Project Cars, I'm in no hurry for one just at the moment. In saying that, Driveclub is a ton better with a wheel....
I think one of the reviews on Amazon pointed at the problem being a potentiometer incorrectly set. If I remember, the guy took the pedals apart and played around with it. i'll try and find a link and come back.
Just to add Amazon and DPD have been brilliant with my return/refund.
That would be great mate, depending on what options I get from my retailer/thrustmaster I would be happy to open the pedal box and try to fix the Issue. Not before speaking to the store and thrustmaster of course because that'll certainly void the warranty.
I do plan to upgrade the pedal set anyway so don't mind having a stab and failing because I can 'throw them in the bin' eventually. Best outcome would be a voucher towards my wheel that I can use on the t3pa's(?) or equivalent. Can I use any pedal set with the T300 or does it have to be specific to work on ps3/4?
Tree's!
Clubsports on the ps4?! I'm sold! Any functionality issues considering the adapter?
That would be great mate, depending on what options I get from my retailer/thrustmaster I would be happy to open the pedal box and try to fix the Issue. Not before speaking to the store and thrustmaster of course because that'll certainly void the warranty.
I do plan to upgrade the pedal set anyway so don't mind having a stab and failing because I can 'throw them in the bin' eventually.
Ok, so I decided to get the T300RS on Friday as it went down to £230 on Friday at Amazon and I wanted a wheel to use with my PS4.
I also found my pedals had big deadzones - almost 50% on the brake pedal.
I just took them apart, adjusted the potentiometers so they were further round when initially engaged by the pedals and that has sorted it out. Only a tiny deadzone at the top of the break pedal now.
That will keep me going until I get my CPX adapter to use my CSR Elite pedals with the wheel.
A few pointers if you're going to do the same:
1 - watch out for the screw under the cable entry point when taking them apart, it's easy to miss
2 - when you adjust the pots, place the pedal base on the ground and test that the full throw of the pedal is still able to adjust the pot position
3 - you'll need to take the metal pedal faces off before dismantling the base
4 - when putting it back together, you'll need to make sure you get the facia past the second spring on the brake pedal so it doesn't snag
Apart from that all seems good now!
Coming from a fanatec csr with elite pedals, I would say:
1 - the t300 is a great feeling wheel, much smoother, quieter and more rugged built
2 - there is plenty of power in the feedback
3 - the pedals are nowhere near as good as the csr elites but better than those on my old Logitech dfgt
4 - driveclub force feedback is ok but not brilliant - I'm looking forward to project cars to really see what the wheel is capable of
just a shame it isn't xbone compatible too but I think I'll just have to restrict my consoles this generation - probably no bad thing really... ;-)
Be warned however, opening the pedals could void your warranty and you could potentially do more damage. Be careful. And be patient!!
Instructions are solid, the only points I would add is to have the thrustmaster firmware updater installed on your laptop/pc and have your wheel plugged in and on the properties page where you calibrate your wheel. Use it to find the sweet spot for your potentiometers while you test and before you rebuild the pedals.
Whoop!!
My wheel cam back just today from Guillemont HQ (RMA - clunk).
First of all, the packaging - what were they thinking? They completely stuffed the box with schredded paper snippets. That might be a good padding, but lots of tiny snippets made it also into the bag with the base in it. You can imagine how the base looked...
Well, the clunk is gone. I removed the cover, because it seems to prevent the fan from starting at all.
So with regards to the video above by jay.s, I think I know what the source for the noise is, because I noticed it too, but not that intense. It is the belt inside the base. When the wheel turns to the right, the belt moves back on the upper white toothed wheel and is grinding against its edge. I tried to move the belt more to the front, but it only takes one full rotation the right and the belt is back against the edge, producing some clicking/grinding noise.
I don't know if that happened before I returned the wheel, but I think I would have noticed that sound. Luckily, it isn't as loud as for jay.s, but I bet that is the source on his base too.
Edit,
the reason for the noise to come up only when rotating to the right, is that the belt moves back into the center of that toothed wheel, as soon as the wheel rotates to the left. I would open the base and check the belt. Maybe there is some sort of imperfection on the edge of the belt that is grinding.
My wheel cam back just today from Guillemont HQ (RMA - clunk).
First of all, the packaging - what were they thinking? They completely stuffed the box with schredded paper snippets. That might be a good padding, but lots of tiny snippets made it also into the bag with the base in it. You can imagine how the base looked...
Well, the clunk is gone. I removed the cover, because it seems to prevent the fan from starting at all.
So with regards to the video above by jay.s, I think I know what the source for the noise is, because I noticed it too, but not that intense. It is the belt inside the base. When the wheel turns to the right, the belt moves back on the upper white toothed wheel and is grinding against its edge. I tried to move the belt more to the front, but it only takes one full rotation the right and the belt is back against the edge, producing some clicking/grinding noise.
I don't know if that happened before I returned the wheel, but I think I would have noticed that sound. Luckily, it isn't as loud as for jay.s, but I bet that is the source on his base too.
Edit,
the reason for the noise to come up only when rotating to the right, is that the belt moves back into the center of that toothed wheel, as soon as the wheel rotates to the left. I would open the base and check the belt. Maybe there is some sort of imperfection on the edge of the belt that is grinding.
@jay.s
I was worried too about removing the cover, but is easy and I did it before the RMA so there is no problem with warranty, as long as you don't brake anything. Take a look at this site, is explains the steps for removing the cover (its for T500, but works the same for T300).
http://www.isrtv.com/forums/topic/13161-thrustmaster-tx-fan-replacement/
@jirin_cz
I am sorry, but I only have an old crappy mobile to record videos. It was already barely enough for the Thrustmaster support when they wanted a video of my clunk problem. I had to manually edit the video afterwards to make the clunk noise halfway audible. The slight grinding noise I have is so subtle, that you couldn't hear it on a video. It is really very subtle, but I noticed it right away, because it makes a difference if the wheel turns left or right in the initial calibration process. But I don't notice it during driving. It is that subtle, even with the cover removed. I hope it stays that way.
Could you please make a video when the wheel base cover is removed? To be honest I am trying to focus my ears but on @jay.s video I cant hear anything but motor itself
@jay.s
I was worried too about removing the cover, but is easy and I did it before the RMA so there is no problem with warranty, as long as you don't brake anything. Take a look at this site, is explains the steps for removing the cover (its for T500, but works the same for T300).
http://www.isrtv.com/forums/topic/13161-thrustmaster-tx-fan-replacement/
@jirin_cz
I am sorry, but I only have an old crappy mobile to record videos. It was already barely enough for the Thrustmaster support when they wanted a video of my clunk problem. I had to manually edit the video afterwards to make the clunk noise halfway audible. The slight grinding noise I have is so subtle, that you couldn't hear it on a video. It is really very subtle, but I noticed it right away, because it makes a difference if the wheel turns left or right in the initial calibration process. But I don't notice it during driving. It is that subtle, even with the cover removed. I hope it stays that way.
The T500RS had a few teething troubles back in 2011, which Thrustmaster corrected in a number of minor revisions. The GT6 branded model appears to be solid.
Nobody is going to defend Thrustmaster on the various issues which are popping up. Personally I'm surprised because the T300 seems to be have more teething troubles than the TX despite sharing most internals. I'd guess Thrustmaster is either cutting corners on production QA to get enough stock out, or have switched suppliers and are having QA issues.
I'm sure once the initial launch rush has settled down quality will also improve. In a way it's good that there's only Driveclub on PS4, it gives TM time to get production stabilized prior to the more serious sim releases. As always the early adopters pay the price. But it has ever been so in sim wheel land, and will probably continue to be like this for years to come.
So for someone looking for a wheel just for the PS4 would the T500 be a safer bet to buy, is there much difference FFB wise between the T500 an 300?
The static paddle is a down side but am sure i would adapt to that, on the plus side the pedals look way better.
Its just looking like a lottery when buying a 300 if you get a good one, crazy.
Has anyone bought a T300 in the UK with no problems, if so were from?
Apparently a good comparison ( http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_UK/company/thrustmaster-racing-wheel-finder ) but I would disagree with the part that says : T300: the most precise , smooth, Silent and responsive Thrustmaster wheel .... as mine clearly isn't Silent