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Buick La Crosse Steering

95 messages,  Last post on Nov 03, 2012 at 11:29 AM

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What is this discussion about? Buick LaCrosse, Steering, Sedan

Messages Page 9 of 10

#75 of 95 Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS by motorcity6

Jun 12, 2012 (12:33 pm)

This item dates the "W" body GM offerings, Impala, Grand Prix, Intrigues, and probably the Buick..LaCrosse..and the current Malibu lineup..
 
Had 3 Olds Intrigues and all were subject to steering issues traced to the ISS part..GM did buy-back the 98 Intrigue after 26k miles..My 1999 and 2002 Intrigues did suffer this condition, but only required a simple replacement. My current 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT had 3 ISS replacements by 30k miles, and steering is no problem at 70k..
 
Ran across a used 2008 LaCrosse CXS w/12k miles and wondered what Buick owners were complaining about and I find steering issues are still an issue..Passed up a 2011 Malibu LTZ V-6 last week, 10k miles, after reading that steering issues are common..Been there too many times..Passed up on the Malibu at $14,500.. and the Buick is still sitting on the lot..Both cars are loaded, leather and sunroof..The Buick draw back is the 200hp engine..still under warranty..
 
Really can't see GM buying back on any of these steering issues..My 98 Intrigue had steering rack issues also coupled with braking problems..
 
I prefer to buy very low-mileage cars instead of new in the current business climate, keep 3 in the garage, one rests and 2 are driven..

#76 of 95 Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS [motorcity6] by e_net_rider

Jun 12, 2012 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: motorcity6 (Jun 12, 2012 12:33 pm)
Buy back might fall under lemon and here it seems to be any defect. If it is safety related might be arguable. An electric power steering that about once per thousand miles tries to steer the vehicle to the right with all the power the system has is clearly dangerous. Loose linkage that allows the vehicle to wonder is dangerous, especially at normal speeds and unpredictably. It is certainly bad that GM lets some known issues run for years and even re-create them in later models is bad for the buyer.
Even Ford seems to have issues that way. Looseness/play in steering. The first Taurus were OK, but second generation they change a component in the steering shaft. To take of any play in the slide shaft, they use a feathered edge nylon/plastic device. The feathered edges become weak and break off at relatively low mileages. Typically way before 100K miles. With changes in other steering components, the steering has less self-holding capability and a small input from the road results in play. Can almost be like a shudder and combined with other factors such as gusty wind or passing vehicles. As the problem progresses, you will go through white knuckle driving, not good.
Can be very dangerous. Alas, I feel a slight play in Lincoln MKS, suspecting Ford is using that device in the steering of this vehicle. Watching very carefully currently. I've had a couple of incidents and wonder about a fix. I'll ask dealer what they know of it.
What sort of braking issue?

#77 of 95 Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS [e_net_rider] by motorcity6

Jun 15, 2012 (10:39 am)

Replying to: e_net_rider (Jun 12, 2012 6:59 pm)
Braking issues on the 98 Intrigue,started around 3k on the rear brakes, replaced rotors and pads..Rotors had a tendency to warp easily, mainly due to over torquing the lugs..However at 3k mi they were out of the assembly plant..This car never stopped due to mechanical problems or left me stranded..The GM buyback was very calm, no legal eagles involved or any yelling. I did have some conversation with some outfit in Virginia handling the Lemon law.. I did run across an article on Edmunds where they had long-term tested a 1998 Intrigue with the same issues and that was forwarded..
 
All things considered the Intrigues were good cars and the 1999 along with the 2002 had the V-6, 4 valve alum blocked engine used only in Intrigues and some Auroras..The 2002 went 120k w/o any mechanical issues..Having owned 53 cars to date and probably driven 2 million miles, I can only say that some rides were better than others with my all-time favorite being a 71 SS350 Camaro that did 90k mi in 18 months, and the 74, 76, and 77 Grand Prix LJs w/big-block V-8s..Another favorite was my 1950 Ford Crestliner, V-8, tranny w/overdrive, dual carbs, and exhausts..
 
The only foreign entries were 2 Porsches, 1958 and 59, 356 Super coupes, purchased in Germany and driven some 60k miles, the 59 was brought back to the states and sold..In the old days the autobahn was a blast, now it's a socially run farce of regulations..
'
Buicks are not my passion car, had a 73 LeSabre w/455 V-8, suffered rod knock from 1st day, Buick took the motor apart several times and warranted the car forever. Bought wife a new 87 Electra T-Type, sold after 30k miles, Had a 92 Regal GS for 95k miles, and a 94 LeSabre for 110k..
 
New Buicks are overpriced, too heavy, and gutless creatures and my Florida dealer is on my "short list."

#79 of 95 Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS [motorcity6] by tjc78

Jun 15, 2012 (11:16 am)

Replying to: motorcity6 (Jun 15, 2012 10:39 am)
New Buicks are overpriced, too heavy, and gutless creatures and my Florida dealer is on my "short list."
 
Little harsh there? I find my 2012 LaCrosse to be just fine. 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds is hardly "gutless"
 
I'll agree it is a bit heavy, but otherwise a nice effort and one of the best GM cars in well over a decade.

#80 of 95 Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS [motorcity6] by crankeee

Jun 15, 2012 (11:18 am)

Replying to: motorcity6 (Jun 15, 2012 10:39 am)
ARGHHHHH! Beg to differ. The 3800 V-6 that GM used for more than a decade in many cars was a Buick proprietary engine prior to the generic approach designed by the beancounters to cut cost. Great engine until the same beancounters endorsed the plastic plenum on the aluminum intake on the cast iron block - can you say expansion coeeficient problems?
GM has had good if not great engineering, good bodies (Fisher Body), and very good engine designs prior to the pre-bankruptcy management fiasco.
Any car company can have misfires, bad designs or poorly assembled parts platforms that result in "bad" models. GM surely had its share over the years (Vega, Corvair, Cadillac 4.1L aluminum engine, iceburgh alternator, plastic plenum on various engines, and diesel engine conversions from gas) as did the other makers. We now have many good choices in the market, mainly due to competition - both domestic and foreign brands.

#81 of 95 Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS [tjc78] by motorcity6

Jun 17, 2012 (4:58 am)

Replying to: tjc78 (Jun 15, 2012 11:16 am)
Sorry about the slam on Buicks, you must have the 3.6 power??? Big $$$$s.
 
My biggest money Buick was a 81 Riveria V-8 which I kept for about 20k mi and dumped.. Still had the original factory oil in the crankcase when I sold it.
 
The 94 LeSabre I picked up at a Chevy dealer with 3k miles, GM employee trade in, bargain priced, and at 50k miles had the Buick dealer installed 4 Monore heavy-duty struts which cured some of the inherent sloppy handling of a Buick. Traded the car away around 110k..
 
Good Luck on your 2012 Lacrosse!!!!!!!

#82 of 95 Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS [crankeee] by motorcity6

Jun 17, 2012 (5:34 am)

Replying to: crankeee (Jun 15, 2012 11:18 am)
Had a 84 Caddy Eldo Biarritz for 2 months, a company car leased for the CEO, and it was handed to me after his termination..The 4.1 was a weeny engine and after 3 months of use I terminated the lease and sold it to a retired GM employee. The new owner was happy and I was very pleased to see it go away..Worst handling, gutless wonder of a car ever driven, think it had about 15k mi on it..
 
Having had several 3.8 V-6 powered GM cars, I realize the history of the powerplant, and one of my current rides is the last of the Supercharged models..Bought it 5 yrs ago this month from the local Caddy dealer showing 4300 miles, trade in, and paid $14,500 for a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT, loaded, stickered over $30k..
 
The 260hp V-6 is a fun-motor which loves to be hammered on the interstate, it is noisy and crude, however the when the supercharger engages it is a different animal..At 70k miles the engine is really not broken in yet, gets a diet of "Royal Purple" changed every 5k by my local mechanic..
I keep the car for it is fun, cheap transportation, cold a/c, and sunroof is a must in Florida..It is on it's 5th battery, main engine and tranny mounts were replaced, tires and proper alignment have been solved..May keep it another year......

#83 of 95 Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS [motorcity6] by crankeee

Jun 18, 2012 (10:00 am)

Replying to: motorcity6 (Jun 17, 2012 4:58 am)
Moto: You really did not have the factory oil in acar for 20M miles - say it ain't true! Our 1998 Bonneville got new oil and filter every 3M miles and gave us a good 114,000 miles and 14 years of service. newer cars allow for longer intervals with synthetic but 20M w/o an oil change. ARGHHHHHH!

#84 of 95 Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft????? ISS [crankeee] by motorcity6

Jun 18, 2012 (11:02 am)

Replying to: crankeee (Jun 18, 2012 10:00 am)
It's true..The Riveria was a company car, and I was terminated 60 days after the car was delivered..I keep the car for 4 more months after the termination, commuted between Crystal Lake, Ill and Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. Had a cruiser in a marina near Detroit and it was summer time, took a long vacation..It was a great time and the whole affair was settled in court..
 
I did add oil to the Rivy as it requested..I am a real fuddy when it comes to oil changes, but during this time I had other priorities..Every one of my cars always had oil changes every 3-4k miles and I only run the synthetics 5-6k..
 
The Rivy was a better car than the Caddy Eldo Bairritz, but neither one was a road car, no power and crappy suspension..Kinda like a "rocking chair." back and forth...up and down..
 
After owning 53 cars to date and traveling a few million miles, maintenance was really centered around oil changes, brake jobs, nice round well balanced rubber for smooth high-speed cruising,,,no shake in the steering wheel, seats or mirrors..

Messages Page 9 of 10

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