Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the Power Steering System
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2004 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. 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 one of the following procedures:
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 (4.3L) Power Steering Pump Replacement (4.8L, 5.3L and 6.0L) Power Steering Pump Replacement (8.1L) Power Steering Pump Replacement (6.6L Diesel) Power Steering Pump Replacement (Parallel Hybrid Truck) . 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 (Rack and Pinion) Power Steering Gear Replacement (Non Rack and Pinion) . 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 Worm Thrust Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle . Is the steering gear bearing preload adjustment incorrect? |
Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 9 |
| 9 | Inspect the steering linkage. Refer to Steering Linkage Inspection (Steering Linkage Inspection)Steering Linkage Inspection (Idler Arm Inspection)
in Steering Linkage. Is the steering linkage worn? |
Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 10 |
| 10 | Inspect the suspension. Is the suspension worn? |
Go to Step 19 | Go to Step 11 |
| 11 | Inspect the intermediate shaft. Is the intermediate shaft worn? |
Go to Step 20 | Go to Step 3 |
| 12 | Adjust or replace the hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedures:
Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 21 | - |
| 13 | Replace the engine drive belt. Refer to the following procedures:
Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 21 | - |
| 14 | Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pulley Replacement . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 21 | - |
| 15 | Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement (4.3L) Power Steering Pump Replacement (4.8L, 5.3L and 6.0L) Power Steering Pump Replacement (8.1L) Power Steering Pump Replacement (6.6L Diesel) Power Steering Pump Replacement (Parallel Hybrid Truck) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 21 | - |
| 16 | Install the power steering gear correctly. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement (Rack and Pinion) Power Steering Gear Replacement (Non Rack and Pinion) . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 21 | - |
| 17 | Adjust the steering gear bearing preload. Refer to Worm Thrust Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle . Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 21 | - |
| 18 | Replace the worn steering linkage. Refer to Steering Linkage Inspection (Steering Linkage Inspection)Steering Linkage Inspection (Idler Arm Inspection)
in Steering Linkage. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 21 | - |
| 19 | 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 21 | - |
| 20 | Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement - Upper
, or to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement - Lower
in Steering Wheel and Column. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 21 | - |
| 21 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? |
System OK | Go to Step 3 |