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Buick La Crosse Steering

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

You are in the Buick LaCrosse Forum.

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

Messages Page 9 of 10

#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..

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

Jun 18, 2012 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: motorcity6 (Jun 15, 2012 10:39 am)
You know the primary reason for warped rotors. I can say I never had that issue not track to improper torqueing.
It seems the Intrigue must have been one of GM's better builds. I see many of them on the street here and they still look pretty decent.
Maybe heavy, but they give the feel of strength as you ride across any bumps versus a cacoon that flexes all over the place. The Aurora had that feel of strength.

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

Jun 20, 2012 (8:46 am)

Replying to: e_net_rider (Jun 18, 2012 6:18 pm)
Been through alot of brake jobs over the years and the Intrigue ownership taught me about over-torqueing, appears plausible. I am not a mechanic and any repairing of mechanical problems is my opinion only..Air filter changing, light bulb replacement, and car cleaning is the extent of my talents..
 
Recently, a car under my care had an a/c stoppage and I knew the dealer would tell me that the compressor was shot, however I did a web search and pin-pointed the problem, went to the car dealer parts dept, no stock, went to my 2 man-shop and they had the relay on hand, and we had cold air again for $75.00..Had to be lucky once in awhile!!!!
 
The Intrigues were OK cars, all 3 were loaded GLS models, leather, sunroof, and chrome wheels..The 99er and the 02 were powered by the "Short Star V-6" all alum engine w/4 valves/cyl, and 6.5 qt oil capacity. I had SLP catback exhaust system installed on both Intrigues..Great suspension system, and fun cars to drive, not hotrods, but able to cover long distances comfortably for a smaller car..The 98 Intrigue was a GM buyback at 26k mi, which worked out well for me. The 98 and 99 were bought in Michigan, and the 2002 was purchased in Florida and never left the state..
 
The 99er was the victim of a 17 hr straight drive from Ocala, Fl to Grosse Pte Wds, Mi covering 1120 miles, one driver, fun trip, no meals in the car..No tickets either, I-75 all the way..It's return trip to Fl was on a car carrier and was the victim of a low-hanging tree limb. Cost the carrier $350 for clean-up services..Had the a/c problem car mentioned earlier shipped from Indianapolis to Venice, Fl in 2007, totally enclosed trailer, $1,000..

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

Jun 20, 2012 (9:56 am)

Replying to: motorcity6 (Jun 18, 2012 11:02 am)
moto: That explains the oil story. We also went thru the schizophrenic employer behavior of the 80's. One of my appointed bosses would get his lithium mixed up and fire everyone that disagreed with him. His expertise was getting the headcount down not running the business, but he drove a Fiat so we understood his behavior.
We love preventitve maintenance also and 3-5000 mile oil changes are a cheap route. Our leased company cars were really beaten down and mistreated but executive units assigned as perks - not for business purposes - were taken care of by underlings. The $30,000 to $60,000 cars of today need less care but we still keep ours in tip top condition and treat them as family members.
The new Buick Lacrosse is more "German" IMO and a real pleasure to drive. Excellent mileage with 28-29.5 at max hiway speed with our small V-6 . Ours has outstanding handling on the road with most all of the creature comforts for a low $30's MSRP. much better iron than cars of old. No rocking chair suspension either.
The real test will be long termm durability and new GM's approach to recalls, TSB's and customer complaints. If they willingly and proactively fix problems - and there will be some- thenwe will all buy their iron. If not....well then......

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

Jun 21, 2012 (10:52 am)

Replying to: crankeee (Jun 20, 2012 9:56 am)
Good posting!!!!! If you are happy with your Buick then you made the right decision for the money..only time will tell..
 
The only reason I happened to be on the Lacrosse forum was I happen to see a 2008 Lacrosse on the website of the local Toyota dealer with super low mileage, leather, and sunroof..The 200 hp 3.8 power is no thriller but the rest of package was okay..
 
However after reading the common ownership complaints which mirrors most GM car maladies of the Chevy and Buick camp, I have dropped the idea. They share too many components which have a proven record of failure..
 
Owned too many good cars to get stuck with more junk...The Mustang GT is still option #1 if they only had a sunroof available..At 78 yrs of age, the convertible is out, and besides it's too hot in Fla..My search continues..

#89 of 95 2005 LaCrosse Steering Rack Failure by mrrogers

Oct 17, 2012 (4:36 am)

I am the original owner of a 2005 Buick LaCrosse CXL with 45,000 miles. I am getting a whining noise as I accelerate after making a left turn. The dealer has diagnosed the problem as a leaking steering rack. He will charge me $777.17 to replace the rack this morning. He is not sure if the leak has damaged the power steering pump by allowing it to run low on fluid. He will need to fill the power steering fluid after the rack is replaced, and then road test the car. If I need a power steering pump, that is another $480.
       Has anyone else experienced this problem? I have never heard of a steering rack failing at such low miles.

#90 of 95 Re: 2005 LaCrosse Steering Rack Failure [mrrogers] by e_net_rider

Oct 17, 2012 (5:24 am)

Replying to: mrrogers (Oct 17, 2012 4:36 am)
It happens. Maybe it shouldn't. Not familiar with that vehicle but had an Aurora that the price for rack change was over $1000. Sub-frame had to be dropped for R&R, but I did not experience that issue with vehicle.
Trying to ease your pain.
And when by Lincoln-Mazda dealer last week I almost passed out. Someone with Mazda that did not look old, but out of warranty, was being quoted price for front and rear shocks/struts. Over $3000.
 
Determining need for pump should not require replacing rack first.
Pressure regulation in pump might have failed blowing seal on the rack. Unless the pump is leaking, a pressure test generally indicates pass or fail.
Maybe searching will tell you the frequency of such failures.

Messages Page 9 of 10

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