Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the Power Steering System (5.3L)
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2004 GMC Envoy XUV, 2004 GMC Envoy XL, 2004 GMC Envoy, and 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. 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 (5.3L)
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Did you review the Power Steering System 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 11 | 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 - 5.3L. Is the drive belt cracked or excessively worn? |
Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering pump pulley for damage. Is the power steering pump pulley damaged? |
Go to Step 13 | 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 (5.3L) or Power Steering Pump Replacement (4.2L) . Is the power steering pump installation incorrect? |
Go to Step 14 | 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 15 | Go to Step 8 |
| 8 | Inspect the power steering gear rack bearing preload for the proper adjustment. Is the power steering gear rack bearing preload adjustment incorrect? |
Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 9 |
| 9 | Inspect the suspension. Is the suspension worn? |
Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 10 |
| 10 | Inspect the intermediate shaft. Is the intermediate shaft worn? |
Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 3 |
| 11 | Adjust or replace the power steering hoses. Refer to Power Steering Gear Inlet and Outlet Hose Replacement (4.2L) or Power Steering Gear Inlet and Outlet Hose Replacement (5.3L) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 19 | - |
| 12 | Replace the engine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement - Accessory
or Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement - Air Conditioning
in Engine Mechanical - 5.3L. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 19 | - |
| 13 | Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pulley Replacement (5.3L) or Power Steering Pulley Replacement (4.2L) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 19 | - |
| 14 | Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (5.3L) or Power Steering Pump Replacement (4.2L) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 19 | - |
| 15 | Install the power steering gear correctly. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 19 | - |
| 16 | Adjust the power steering gear rack bearing preload. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 19 | - |
| 17 | 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 19 | - |
| 18 | Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement - Upper
or Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement - Lower
in Steering Wheel and Column. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 19 | - |
| 19 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? |
System OK | Go to Step 3 |