Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the Power Steering System
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire and 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. 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 9 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Inspect the power steering pump and the power steering mounting bracket/brace for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement . Is the power steering pump installation incorrect? |
Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering gear for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement (Automatic Transmission) or Power Steering Gear Replacement (Manual Transmission) . Is the power steering gear installation incorrect? |
Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 8 |
| 6 | Inspect the steering gear bearing preload for the proper adjustment. Refer to Rack and Pinion Gear Rack Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle (Rack and Pinion) . Is the steering gear bearing preload adjustment incorrect? |
Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Inspect the suspension. Is the suspension worn? |
Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 8 |
| 8 | Inspect the intermediate shaft. Is the intermediate shaft worn? |
Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 3 |
| 9 | Adjust or replace the hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 15 | - |
| 10 | Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 15 | - |
| 11 | Install the power steering gear correctly. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement (Automatic Transmission) or Power Steering Gear Replacement (Manual Transmission) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 15 | - |
| 12 | Adjust the steering gear bearing preload. Refer to Rack and Pinion Gear Rack Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle (Rack and Pinion) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 15 | - |
| 13 | 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 15 | - |
| 14 | Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer toIntermediate Steering Shaft Replacement
in Steering Wheel and Column. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 15 | - |
| 15 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? |
System OK | Go to Step 3 |