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Pontiac Grand Prix Rattles, Clunks and other odd Noises

118 messages,  Last post on Dec 29, 2012 at 1:55 PM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Auto Repair, Sedan

Messages Page 11 of 13

#95 of 118 Re: Thumping Noise [07supercharged] by dblduce

Nov 09, 2007 (1:02 pm)

Replying to: 07supercharged (Jun 06, 2007 12:29 pm)
This might be the same problem that I just had fixed on my GXP a few months ago. I could hear and feel something in the steering shaft that felt like something was loose. I took it to the dealer, and they said it was the Independent Steering Shaft (ISS). While they were working on it, I researched it on the net, and found a lot of GM vehicles were having this same problem. The "cheap" fix was to just relube the shaft with a thicker grease to keep the clunking noise to a minimum. This shaft is a shorter piece that connects the steering shaft to the steering box. The "clunk" is the necessary space needed for one shaft to slide in and out of the other shaft. Luckily my dealer replaced this shaft instead of relubing it, and I have not heard or felt the sound since! Hooray!

#96 of 118 Thumping noise by johnny_rotten

Nov 13, 2007 (3:50 pm)

Just thought you all might find this useful.
 
Bulletin No.: 01-02-32-001J
 
Date: June 08, 2007
 
TECHNICAL
 
Subject:
Clunk Felt/Noise Heard From Steering Column, Steering Gear and/or Front Of Vehicle During Turning Maneuver and/or Steering Wheel Rotation (Lubricate or Replace Intermediate Shaft As Appropriate)
 
Models:
2001-2004 Buick Regal
2005-2007 Buick Allure (Canada Only), LaCrosse
1997-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
2000-2007 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1997-2005 Pontiac Sunfire
2004-2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
 
Supercede:
 
This bulletin is being revised to include I-shaft part number (P/N 25829293) for the 2000-2005 Monte Carlo. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-02-32-0011 (Section 02 - Steering).
 
Condition
 
Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from the front of the vehicle while driving during a turning maneuver. This condition may also be felt through the steering wheel when the vehicle is stationary and the wheel is rotated from steering stop to steering stop. Some vehicles may only exhibit the noise once for every 360°of wheel rotation. On all other vehicles, this clunk noise will be noticed during low speed acceleration or deceleration, typically in light turns of the steering wheel.
 
Cause
 
This condition may be caused by inadequate lubrication of the steering intermediate shaft which results in a slip stick condition possibly resulting in the clunk noise.
 
Diagnostic Tip
 
This condition is commonly misdiagnosed as originating in the steering gear and has resulted in the replacement of numerous steering gears without correcting the concern.
 
Engineering Investigation shows that numerous steering gears have been misdiagnosed and replaced. The investigations shows that if the technician incorrectly diagnoses the steering gear as the cause of the noise and/or clunk during replacement of the steering gear, the technician may cycle the I-shaft, distributing the original grease in the I-shaft. This distribution of the original I-shaft grease may temporarily eliminate the I-shaft clunk so that the technician believes the noise and/or clunk is corrected with the steering gear replacement and returns the vehicle to the customer. After the customer drives the vehicles for several miles and dissipates the original grease, the noise may return.
 
Attempt to duplicate the customer's concern and isolate the I-shaft by following the procedure below:
 
Locate a large area (parking lot) where the vehicle can be turned in a tight circle.
 
Turn the steering wheel to the right and/or left all the way to the steering lock, then off the steering lock a 1/4 turn. Drive the vehicle approximately 5 km/h (3 mph) in a circle, preferably over rough pavement or seams on the road surface. If a clunk is felt in the steering wheel, the MOST likely cause is the I-shaft - not the steering gear. Continue with the correction.
 
Correction
 
 Due to the design of the new I-shaft, it is not possible to lubricate/grease the I-shaft.
 
Replace the existing steering intermediate shaft using the service procedure found in Service Information. The remaining vehicles listed below will still need to have the current I-shafts re-lubricated. New I-shafts will be released later in 2007 for some of the remaining vehicles.
 
Remove the intermediate steering shaft from the vehicle and lubricate the shaft with a Steering Column Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098237. Follow the service procedure listed below.
 
Remove the steering intermediate shaft from the vehicle. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in the appropriate Service Manual.
 
Fully extend the intermediate shaft by pulling the two shafts apart.
 
Apply the grease supplied in the Steering Column Shaft Lubrication Kit in the aluminum end of the yoke opening. Direct the syringe tip as deep as possible into the yoke and dispense the full content of the syringe.
 
Install the rubber stop plug from the Steering Column Shaft Lubrication kit into the yoke opening.
 
Secure the rubber plug by swinging the upper yoke 90°. One ear of the yoke should press the rubber plug in.
 
Make sure the intermediate shaft is being pressed over the ears of the solid shaft.
 
Use a hard surface to ease the collapse of the intermediate shaft. It is best to use a pumping action when collapsing the shaft. Collapse the shaft as far as possible.
 
Remove the rubber stopper plug from the yoke end of the shaft.
 
Slowly extend the intermediate shaft apart.
 
Inspect the intermediate shaft for a minimum of 5 mm (0.2 in) (a) of grease on the shaft splines.
 
Repeat Steps 4-9 if less than 5 mm (0.2 in) of grease is on the shaft splines.
 
Before installing the intermediate shaft in the vehicle, make sure to stroke and extend the intermediate shaft at least 15 TIMES to completely lubricate the internal surface of the slip joint.
 
Reinstall the intermediate shaft into the vehicle. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in the appropriate Service Manual.

#97 of 118 Re: Thumping noise [johnny_rotten] by frozenjeff

Jan 21, 2008 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: johnny_rotten (Nov 13, 2007 3:50 pm)
I have all of these same problems. 2006 Grand Prix with 50,000 miles. I have the clunking that no mechanic can figure out, but I will have the dealer try the above solution. I also have that battery volt problem, Ive tried this. I got a battery brush, cleaner and protectant and cleaned up the battery and the terminals really good. Now this seems to keep my volts up. Maybe a dealer battery is just dying already, I never really heard anything about GM delco batteries before, but you never know. If anybody has battery problems with a different kind of battery, sears die hard, walmart, autozone, etc, let me know as it might be another flaw with the car. Also, my car is very sluggish, and this helped. I did this at my last oil change. I put a motor flush in it, ran it for 5 mins and drained the oil. I also put a slick 50 syntec in it becuase it has teflon in it and it is good to put one in at 50,000 miles because they warranty your engine, esp if your like me and your warranty ran out and I only ever put synthetic blend oil in my car because I have used the cheap oil for all my old cars and the dealer told me to put this in because it improves gas milage. I did not believe them, so it was saying I was avg 24.4 miles a galon when i bought it, well i did my first oil change and put cheap oil in it, and my avg mile dropped to 21.6, so now i stick with syntetic blend. I also cleaned my fuel injectors and throttle body at 50,000 miles and you should have seen how dirty thaat was, not it drives like brand new. But the problem I have is like my gas pedal sticks and when you let off the gas and go to push it slightly it don go and then it goes and gives alot of gas. What should I do for this? I can stand going slow it sticks and then takes off, sometimes it shifts really odd too, I didnt read anything about transmission problems, but if anybody has had transmissions problems let me know too. I really think I am going to purchase an extended warranty because it seems like this car has alot of problems, so if you go to carchex.com they are actually not priced very bad, for about $100 dollars down, and $100 a month for 11 months there after you can actually get like a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty and that isnt bad priced, i think that is what i am going to do since i cant afford to trade it in with a loan on it andchance losing more money and ending up with a bigger car payment and high car insurance. What do you all think

#98 of 118 Grand Prix is turning out to be junk by frozenjeff

Jan 21, 2008 (2:07 pm)

I have all of these same problems. 2006 Grand Prix with 50,000 miles.It was an amazing to drive car when I first got it. It was a GM Certified car i bought with 11,000 miles on it, previously was a rental car. Now I am gettign all these problems. I have the clunking that no mechanic can figure out, but I will have the dealer try the above solution. I also have that battery volt problem, Ive tried this. I got a battery brush, cleaner and protectant and cleaned up the battery and the terminals really good. Now this seems to keep my volts up. Maybe a dealer battery is just dying already, I never really heard anything about GM delco batteries before, but you never know. If anybody has battery problems with a different kind of battery, sears die hard, walmart, autozone, etc, let me know as it might be another flaw with the car. Also, my car is very sluggish, and this helped. I did this at my last oil change. I put a motor flush in it, ran it for 5 mins and drained the oil. I also put a slick 50 syntec in it becuase it has teflon in it and it is good to put one in at 50,000 miles because they warranty your engine, esp if your like me and your warranty ran out and I only ever put synthetic blend oil in my car because I have used the cheap oil for all my old cars and the dealer told me to put this in because it improves gas milage. I did not believe them, so it was saying I was avg 24.4 miles a galon when i bought it, well i did my first oil change and put cheap oil in it, and my avg mile dropped to 21.6, so now i stick with syntetic blend. I also cleaned my fuel injectors and throttle body at 50,000 miles and you should have seen how dirty thaat was, not it drives like brand new. But the problem I have is like my gas pedal sticks and when you let off the gas and go to push it slightly it don go and then it goes and gives alot of gas. What should I do for this? I can stand going slow it sticks and then takes off, sometimes it shifts really odd too, I didnt read anything about transmission problems, but if anybody has had transmissions problems let me know too. I really think I am going to purchase an extended warranty because it seems like this car has alot of problems, so if you go to carchex.com they are actually not priced very bad, for about $100 dollars down, and $100 a month for 11 months there after you can actually get like a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty and that isnt bad priced, i think that is what i am going to do since i cant afford to trade it in with a loan on it andchance losing more money and ending up with a bigger car payment and high car insurance. What do you all think

#99 of 118 Re: Grand Prix is turning out to be junk [frozenjeff] by msmish

Jan 21, 2008 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: frozenjeff (Jan 21, 2008 2:07 pm)
Junk is right! Well my gas pedal also started to stick and would eventually just take off. It also was sluggish. Come to find out i needed to replace the carburetor! Needless to say i was very angry. It seemed like every other day my engine light was coming on. All my sensors were failing. Loved this car in the beginning. Drove perfect but after 50,000 miles it started acting up. Dont know why. Made sure I kept up all the maitnence on the car. Flushes, injector cleaned, tune up; and its still breaking my heart! Making some kinda weird noise when i accelerate. Like something rusted somewhere. So i wish u the best of luck. If you here anything new let me know so i can be prepared! LOL

#100 of 118 Re: Grand Prix is turning out to be junk [msmish] by ajohn79

Jan 21, 2008 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: msmish (Jan 21, 2008 3:51 pm)
This car is really falling apart on me. 2004 with 55K. Check engine lights, weird noises, funny thumps. Looks like it'll be better to just replace it at this point.

#101 of 118 2000 Gand Prix creak from engine by stephen67

Jan 22, 2008 (5:31 pm)

My 2000 Grand prix has been making a creaking noise when putting into drive. If I put my foot on the break while in drive and goose the engine it makes the noise too. Resently it started making it when excelerating and breaking. Does this sound like the bottom engine mount???

#102 of 118 Re: Sluggish 3800 / Steering problems [msmish] by tightnup

Mar 23, 2008 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: msmish (Oct 18, 2007 8:07 pm)
depending on the milage and the delivery date of your car the control unit and the catalyst should have been covered under the 8 year 80,000 mile federal emissions warranty. if you had it done at the dealer they should have advised you i would contact them if you fall under 8/80 if you had it done at an indepedant shop`you maybe out of luck
k

#103 of 118 Re: Thumping Noise [dblduce] by jpeter01

Sep 03, 2008 (4:31 pm)

Replying to: dblduce (Nov 09, 2007 1:02 pm)
After researching this issue with my Pontiac Grand Prix (04), I was happy to read about the same problem being experienced with the steering.
 
I also get a "service variable effort steering" message displayed.
 
I took it to the dealership, and they told me it was due to worn front wheel/hub bearings. After replacing both, the problem did not go away.
 
I then took it to Gerald's Tires to get an all wheel alignment, and the mechanic said that it could be a problem with the intermediate shaft in the steering column.
 
Did the dealership charge you for the replacement....was there a warranty issued for this problem.....?

#104 of 118 Re: Thumping Noise [jpeter01] by msmish

Sep 08, 2008 (8:51 pm)

Replying to: jpeter01 (Sep 03, 2008 4:31 pm)
Yes they charged me and no there was no warranty issued.

Messages Page 11 of 13

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