I have a 2000 pontiac bonniville and when the wheel is turned to the left there is a clunking or grinding noise. This only happens when the wheel is turned left.
2000 Pontiac Bonneville steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 47, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Clunking noise when steering(intermediate steering shaft).
Owner of 200 pontiac bonneville re defective transmission, requesting a defect and recent recall investigation. *bf the consumer was told the front and rear transmission mounts were broken and the left tie rod was severely worn.
The consumer heard a clunking noise in the steering wheel when turning, stopping and applying the brake. *nm *sc
Equipment failure of steering part called intermediate steering shaft.
I have a 2000 bonnevile which I bought new, and have had problems with popping in the steering wheel. I have taken it back several times with this complaint and all they ever do is put lubrication in the intermediate shaft. The mechanic where I get my oil changed says that the intermediate shaft is leaking lubrication and needs replacing. The last time I took my car back to the dealership here in franklin, tn back in the spring of this year, they told me there was nothing else they could do to make the popping go away and that I would just have to live with it since it was not a safety hazard. They would not continue lubricating the intermediate shaft without charging for this service. I was just wondering if there is anything else I can do to get this problem fixed without a service charge since I have had this problem all along. Thanks for any help you can give me regarding this problem. Johnny donegan.
I feel the right steering wheel control arm is too close to the steering wheel, on my 2000 bonneville. It is closer and longer that the turn signal arm on the left. I reported to pontiac that any time I rapidly steer to avoid an accident, I hit this arm before the wheel. This slows my response and starts the windshield wipers. I find this is very bad at such a time, hitting the arm slows my response and the distraction from the wipers just adds to the problem. I suggest the arm be shortened about 3/4 inch, withdrawing it from the immediate area of the steering wheel. I had a minor accident a couple weeks ago, and I hit the arm. I can't say I would have avoided the accident without hitting the arm. But I distinctly feel, hitting it slow my ability to avoid the accident, and yes, my windshield wipers were going when the car stopped. I have reported this to pontiac, but each year since, the arm is the same. Do you have statistics of how many times windshield wipers were engaged after an accident? Has anyone ever tested if there is a correlation of improperly placed control arms or devices, causing or making accidents more severe? I can't believe, I'm the only one who's noticed this safety flaw, and I don't know about other vehicles. But, I hit that dang wiper arm every time it's too close for comfort. And it's the worse time to hit it. If you'd like to test my driving abilities, I suspect you'd find my skills above average at the least. And if I hit it, I doubt I'm alone.
Incident date is an estimate. I had a clunking sound in my steering and took it to the dealer to investigate. They told me it was a known problem and the noise was because of the collapsible steering column, the two pieces are clunking together. Made that was in case of a crash. They said that they could take it apart, grease it and that it might not make any difference and that I would have to pay to have it done. I told them that because they told me it was simply the two pieces clunking together and that it would not hurt anything I did not get the lubrication. Now 8-30-2004 my steering howls sometimes. I had my brother-in-law check the power steering fluid and it was low. He is a mechanic of over 25 years and states that power steering fluid does not evaporate and must be leaking and most likely indicate a greater problem. There are no visible leaks on the ground. I read the others complaints on this site and the steering seems to be a common problem. My hope in writing is that pontiac will step up and take care of the problem before someone gets injured.
Here and feel a slight clunking while turning. I am told by my father who replaced the rack on his 2000 bonneville that it is the rack starting to go on my 2000 bonneville. I am not looking forward to the $700(+) for parts only.
When turning in either direction steering produced a grinding noise. As a result, the steering rack and pinion malfunctioned.
Complained to pontiac dealership on 3 separate occasions that steering is binding while turning. Complaints were at 19,539, 29,736 and 43,686 miles. At 19,539 miles, dealership found bulletin # 99-02-32-007a and removed/replaced power steering hydraulic return outlet and pressure inlet hose. At 29,736 mile, steering shaft was lubricated. At 43,686 miles steering shaft removed and lubricated. At 50,000 the binding is happening again. I will be taking to the shop again this week. It seems the dealership/manufacturer is doing "nickle & dime" fixes under warranty, and not fixing the real problem. I'm concerned there's a real safety issue.
Since I owned the car I have had these things fixed: 1 window regulator, 1 power steering pump replaced, power steering work (after the power steering pump was replaced) hood repainted and ignition switch replaced. Now I need to have 2 window regulators replaced at $400 a piece. I'm having some load humming noise when using brakes but I had the brakes replaced and it did not fix the problem. The trunk leaks so I can not use it because everything gets wet.
While driving at any speed, the consumer heard a clunky noise from the power steering wheel. Dealer notified. *ak the power steering pump shaft separated from the power steering pump. A new power steering pump was installed. The clunking noise was found to be coming from the steering shaft in which the steering knuckles needed to be replaced. A new steering shaft coupler was installed. The clunking noise remained and currently the rack and pinion is suspect. *scc
Power steering pump
Bonneville with 37,000 miles. Numerous problems worst being upon attempting to make a right turn car keeps going straight then a clunk is heard from the front end of the car and the car finally goes right. This happened more than once. Dealer was also able to get the car to have the same problem. Dealer finds some type of metal lodged in between the links on the rack. Rack is replace under preferred warranty. Car has been in the shop 3 times in the past 14 days for a rear window seal leak, and is currently in the shop for a catalytic converter problem.
The vehicles steering was defective which caused noise. The consumer had to pay for the repairs although the manufacturer was aware of the defect. *mr *cb
Grinding or squealing noise when turning left at low speed. Dealer has placed rack 3 times, noise still there although intermitent. Replaced tie rod ends also.
While driving slow and turning left I heard a "clank" sound coming from the left front area of the car. I was told that pontiac had a tech service which indicated a steering linkage part needed to be taken apart and oiled and put back. Gm also has a kit that was installed.
Steering makes pops and grinding noises when turning. This is the second occurrence. First time at 37,000 miles I was told the steering shaft was bad. It was replaced, but I had to pay some labor. The problem is worse when the weather is cold.
Steering column noise.
The brake rotors were replaced three times for excessive warping which caused vibrations and a soft brake pedal. Each time the pads were replaced the rotors had to be replaced. The engine belt cracked once and was glazed once, both failures caused noise. The steering wheel makes noise when turning, the dealer replaced the steering shaft. The right rear brake light bulb was blown. *mr
Steering wheel would vibrate with possible cause of a broken tie rod. The dealership did replace some hoses and also stated to the consumer that the driveshaft needs replacement. Mr
The middle section of the steering column must be replaced due to wear. Problem noticed long ago, but not identified. I believe it to be a serious safety issue. Thankfully, it hasn't failed completely yet. Nlm
Fuel door actuator does not latch, latch was repaired but put in backwards. Again, dealer replaced actuator. Consumer wishes for reimbursement or replacement.
Rack and pinion steering failed three times due to a klunking sound, with cause unknown, except low pressure in system. Rack and pinion has been replaced twice. *ak consumer states that the steering radius was erratic, when veering to the right at minor curves, the vehicle is hard to steer. The air deflector for the sunroof cracked and was replaced. Consumer states that water leaks in the trunk mounted lens when the trunk is opened. The fuel filler door actuator failed, the driver side window was binding, causing a clunking noise. 2 plastic nut covers were missing from the front wheel.
The service stability system light comes on continuosly, the brakes and steering have locked up while I am driving on two occasions because of the stability system, I have had to have 3 front end alignments and the brakes replaced twice. I have taken the car into bassett pontiac in muncie, in. And in new castle in.. They tell me the problem is fixed and two to three weeks later the same problem is happening.
We have had numerous other problems with this car, including radio, foglamps, passenger window, rear seat belt latches,door rattles,stitching in leather seats coming apart,automatic temperature control,alignment,tires that cannot be balanced,steering sector bearing, tie rod end defective & rough braking. Dealer has fixed all problems, but the warranty is about to expire and now a rear seat belt latch has quit working. I have a national gm claim no. Which was obtained back in january 2002, c06145322. I have asked for an extension of the warranty due to all the problems encurred on this vehicle, but that has been denied. I would have to purchase an extended warranty for over $2,000. We should not have had so many problems with a brand new vehicle. Please respond either by email or letter. Larry neubauer
Upon purchasing vehicle in the year of 2000 rack and pinion has been replaced three times. Coolant leaks, also starter and fuel pump have been replaced. *ak transmission was leaking fluid due to torque converter seal failure. Consumer states vehicle has a noise coming from steering column on turns. Transmission does not shift correctly due to shift solenoid failure. Vehicle makes a popping noise from front end due to steering gear failure.
While making a sharp turn, it was difficult to navigate steering wheel. This caused consumer to take a wider turn than normal, causing consumer to run off the road. Vehicle was serviced, and technician noticed that power steering needed to be replaced. Consumer added power steering fluid after starting the car to see if there was a leak, the fluid streamed out and was thrown around the power steering pump, emptying almost immediately. *ak
The steering mechanism started to make a very loud popping and growling noise while turning left approximately 4 days ago. I immediately took it to the dealer who informed me that this was a known problem and they would order a kit consisting of a plug and a tube of special grease to repair it. This caused me great concern because I am not sure this is a safe repair and could just prolong the life of a component before it fails. I viewed this as a potential safety issue. I contacted pontiac via e-mail and phone with out a reply from e-mail and a reply via phone that was unsatisfactory. I reviewed the cuatomer complaints on your web site and find that this problem has caused failures of the steering assembly. My question is why have they not issued a recall for a known problem and how can additional grease solve a problem that sounds like it is in the rack and pinion or steering assembly. I do not want to sound sarcastic, but I hope they are not waiting for injuries and fatalities to fix this problem. I want to be sure they know what is wrong and that a tube of grease is the proper fix. I also do not want a failure of the steering mechanicism while traveling at speed. What should I do.
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