Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the Power Steering System
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Buick LaCrosse and 2005 Buick Allure. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the 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. 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) or Power Steering Pump Replacement (LY7) . 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)
in Engine Mechanical. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 14 | Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pulley Replacement (LY7) or Power Steering Pulley Replacement (3.8L) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 20 | - |
| 15 | Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (3.8L) or Power Steering Pump Replacement (LY7) . 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 the tie rod end. Refer to Rack and Pinion Inner Tie Rod Replacement . 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 |