Fanatec CSR Wheel Internal Resistance

[seth francis]

Hello all, Not sure if I am posting this in the right place however I have a question I'm hoping someone can help me with. I have recently purchased two used Fanatec wheels. One is a PWTS and the other is an original CSR wheel. My question is regarding the internal resistance of the CSR when it is powered OFF. I have compared the force needed to rotate the steering wheel on the CSR to the PWTS and the CSR has a noticeably higher internal resistance. It is not a huge difference at all but if I turn both wheels at the same time or one after the other while powered off I can feel the difference, the CSR requires a bit more force to turn. I removed the rims of both wheels as well as the top covers and even at the hub the difference is there meaning it is not related to the rim. I also compared the resistance at each pulley. It seems to me that the added resistance is coming from the motor however I have not removed both motors to make a comparison. There does not seem to be anything rubbing or making incorrect contact withing the drive train and the rotation is smooth in both wheels. In game the difference isn't noticeable although the CSR does seem to have slightly more detailed ffb. My question is weather anyone else owns or has had experience with the CSR wheel as well as a PWTS or even a GT3/2 and has also noticed this difference in internal resistance with the wheels powered off. I would just like to know if this is normal or if perhaps I am experiencing the first signs of a future motor failure in one of the wheels. Thank you all for your time and if this post is better suited elsewhere feel free to let me know and I will relocate accordingly. I am somewhat new to this forum.

 

[m00ndancer]

I own both a GT3v2 and a CSR and my take on the differences are like this:

GT3v2:
Heavier rim
Less detailed FFB
Seems to have lesser resistance, but that can also be because of the heavier rim.

CSR:
"notchy" when powered off. (Very lightly)
Much faster actiona and more detailed FFB.

The biggest difference besides that is the paddles, night and day!

Disclaimer:
Haven't used my GT3 in a while, need to repair it and change the microswitch for the right paddle.

 

[seth francis]

@m00ndancer: Yes, that sounds about similar to the differences between the PWTS and CSR. I just wanted to make sure the slight difference in resistance when powered off that I feel is not an issue. I can feel it at the hub with the rims removed as well. I just though it was weird since the internals are almost identical mechanically. I will say it is not at all a large difference, its not like the CSR is overly hard to rotate or anything. I only notice the difference when I compare the two wheels at the same time. The CSR definitely has more detailed ffb, the small forces feel stronger, but I also like the dampened road car like feel of the PWTS. I'd say i use both equally in the short time I've owned them. Thank you for your input.