Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the Power Steering System
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Rattle, Clunk, & Shudder Noise From Power Steering System
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Did you review the Power Steering System General Description and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Symptoms - Power Steering System |
| 2 | Verify that a rattle, clunk or shudder noise is present. Is a rattle, clunk or shudder noise present? |
Go to Step 3 | System OK |
| 3 | Inspect the power steering hoses for proper routing and clearance. Is the routing or clearance of the power steering hoses incorrect? |
Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Inspect the engine drive belt for cracking or excessive wear. Refer to Drive Belt Excessive Wear Diagnosis
in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L. Is the drive belt cracked or excessively worn? |
Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering pump pulley for damage. Is the power steering pump pulley damaged? |
Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Inspect the power steering pump and the power steering mounting bracket/brace for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (3.8L V-6) . Is the power steering pump installation incorrect? |
Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Inspect the power steering gear for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Is the power steering gear installation incorrect? |
Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 8 |
| 8 | Inspect the steering gear bearing preload for the proper adjustment. Refer to Rack and Pinion Gear Rack Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle (MAGNASTEER) . Did you find and correct the condition? |
Go to Step 20 | Go to Step 9 |
| 9 | Inspect for looseness in the inner and outer tie rod ends. Did you find looseness in the tie rod ends? |
Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 10 |
| 10 | Inspect the suspension. Is the suspension worn? |
Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 11 |
| 11 | Inspect the intermediate shaft. Is the intermediate shaft worn? |
Go to Step 19 | Go to Step 3 |
| 12 | Adjust or replace the hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedure(s):
Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 13 | Replace the engine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement (L26)
or Drive Belt Replacement (L32)
in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 14 | Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pulley Replacement (3.8L V-6) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 15 | Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (3.8L V-6) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 16 | Install the power steering gear correctly. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 17 | Replace thetie rod end. Refer to and/or Tie Rod Replacement - Inner (Magnasteer) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 18 | Replace the worn suspension components. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Suspension General Diagnosis
in Suspension General Diagnosis. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 19 | Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement
in Steering Wheel and Column. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 20 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? |
System OK | Go to Step 3 |