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Chevrolet Impala Steering/Suspension

136 messages,  Last post on Apr 08, 2010 at 12:38 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Steering, Suspension, Sedan

Messages Page 14 of 14

#127 of 136 Re: 2008 IMPALA LTZ STEERING PROBLEM [insgeek] by joe336

Feb 22, 2010 (11:37 am)

Replying to: insgeek (Feb 19, 2010 12:30 pm)
I had a problem with my 2008 Impala intermittently losing power steering that appeared to be worse under wet pavement conditions. I initially thought the problem was due to a slipping belt since there was a squeeling noise when I turned the steering wheel abruptly left-right-left-right.... while parked, most noticeable after starting the engine cold. There was also a squeel upon starting the engine cold with no movement of the steering wheel. I took the car to the dealership and they could find no problem on the first visit.
The intermittent steering occurred a few more times until I was nearly hit head-on while trying to make a left turn on a busy road. I took the car back to the dealership and expressed my concern over the safety of the steering condition. The service department finally found and corrected the problem: a mis-machined harmonic balancer, which also drives the PS belt, which could under certain conditions become loose and spin slower relative to the engine crankshaft.
The service department mentioned that they actually found the problem by checking their database of steering problems and found the harmonic balancer issue.

#128 of 136 Re: 2008 IMPALA LTZ STEERING PROBLEM [joe336] by insgeek

Feb 24, 2010 (12:01 pm)

Replying to: joe336 (Feb 22, 2010 11:37 am)
Thank you I'll send this to my mechanic. The dealer has been less than helpful.

#129 of 136 Re: 2008 IMPALA LTZ STEERING PROBLEM [nassto] by insgeek

Feb 25, 2010 (6:29 am)

Replying to: nassto (Feb 19, 2010 2:05 pm)
Thank you but this has been done twice. It was just checked again yesterday.
That belt couldn't be any tighter.

#130 of 136 Re: 2008 IMPALA LTZ STEERING PROBLEM [insgeek] by joe336

Feb 25, 2010 (10:17 am)

Replying to: insgeek (Feb 25, 2010 6:29 am)
The belt was not the problem on my 2008. It was a loose hamonic balancer which drives the belt. The dealership can access the problem listed in the Chevy database.

#131 of 136 Re: 2008 IMPALA LTZ STEERING PROBLEM [joe336] by insgeek

Feb 25, 2010 (10:29 am)

Replying to: joe336 (Feb 25, 2010 10:17 am)
The dealer says the bulletin doesn't exist. Do you happen to have the bulletin number. Last time I buy a car from them..

#132 of 136 Re: 2008 IMPALA LTZ STEERING PROBLEM [insgeek] by joe336

Mar 01, 2010 (6:28 pm)

Replying to: insgeek (Feb 25, 2010 10:29 am)
I will contact my dealership, Bowman Chevrolet, and get more details.

#133 of 136 Re: 2008 IMPALA LTZ STEERING PROBLEM [insgeek] by joe336

Mar 03, 2010 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: insgeek (Feb 25, 2010 10:29 am)
Here is the Service Invoice word for word:
 
C/S LOUD SCREETCH NOISE ON COLD START.NOISE CHANGES WHEN STEERING WHEEL MOVED BACK AND FORTH. POWER STEERING CUTS OUT AT TIMES CAUSE:
M MISC REPAIR
707 MILLER, LARRY J LIC#:
W (N/C)
1.12588034BALANCER (N/C)
1 12577710 SEAL (N/C)
FC: PART#: COUNT:
CLAIM TYPE:
AUTH CODE:
14880 SLIPPING / MISMACHINED ROAD TEST SEVERAL MILES & P/S JUST DROPS OFF AT TIMES. NEC TO SEARCH BULLETINS FOUND BULL FOR BELT SQUEAL & P/S INOP. NEC TO MARK HARMONIC BALANCER & ROAD TEST VEHICLE. RECHECK BALANCER. FOUND MARKS HAVE MOVED, BALANCER SLIPPING. NECTO SEND TO HEAVY. NECTO REPLACE HARMONIC BALANCER & TIMING COVER SEAL PER 707 REQUEST. REASSEMBLE ENGINE & ROAD TEST OK.NEC TO SET TOE & ROAD TEST OK.
07 & 718

#134 of 136 Re: 2008 IMPALA LTZ STEERING PROBLEM [joe336] by insgeek

Mar 04, 2010 (6:25 am)

Replying to: joe336 (Mar 03, 2010 5:14 pm)
Thank you. The balancer has been replaced and everything seems fine. Your post solved the problem for me. I really appreciate the fact you posted it or I'd still be fighting to get this fixed. Now all I have to do is finish dealing with Chevy to get them to pay me back since it was their faulty part that caused this. Thanks again!!

#135 of 136 IMPALA STEERING PROBLEMS/CHEVY by insgeek

Apr 08, 2010 (12:38 pm)

Just a follow up to my a steering problem that has now been corrected by replacing the harmonic balancer. The dealer could never find time to look at the problem while I was having it. My own mechanic fixed it after I told about the balancer. I was dealing with Chevy Customer Service for reimbursement since it's a defective part. They refuse to pay the $239 because a dealer didn't do the repair. 2 dealers wouldn't look at it. Apparently I was suppose to get in an accident or killed before they will aknoweldge there is a problem and pay for it. After 4 GM cars this is definitely my last because of their extremely poor attitude. How cheap can they be!

Messages Page 14 of 14

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