2000 Pontiac Bonneville: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Sep 21, 2006 · Steering · 12,943 miles · KS

Intermediate steering shaft has been replaced twice and lubricated twice in the last four years. Continues to clunk when turning the car. General motors was contacted and admitted there is a problem with the steering and said they are working on a fix. Right now the fix is only temporary and can be costly.

Filed Nov 16, 2004 · Steering · 24,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Steering · 30,000 miles · NE

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.

Filed Jul 28, 2004 · Steering · 22,000 miles · CA

When turning in either direction steering produced a grinding noise. As a result, the steering rack and pinion malfunctioned.

Filed Nov 5, 2003 · Steering · 58,000 miles · MN

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

Filed Jul 3, 2003 · Steering · 63,460 miles · PA

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

Filed Mar 13, 2003 · Steering · 37,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Feb 2, 2003 · Steering · 50,000 miles · IA

Steering column noise.

Filed Oct 10, 2002 · Brakes, Engine · NY

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

Filed Jan 22, 2002 · Steering · IL

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.

Filed Jan 3, 2002 · Steering · OH

When turning wheel to left felt there is a clicking sound in steering wheel. Consumer had to replace rack and pinion. Currently, when turning wheel to the right vehicle vehicle is clicking in steering wheel. Feels like a tire deflated, contacted dealer ,and dealer tested vehicle and could hear clicking noise .*ak consumer stated there is nothing wrong with the tire is just felt that way, and there is a slight clicking when turning wheel to the right.

Filed Oct 24, 2001 · Steering · MI

While traveling at low speeds, approximately 5 MPH, there is vibration in steering wheel and a "clunking" noise coming from vehicle. Dealership has determined that steering shaft had to be replaced. *note: part needed is on back order and will be unavailable until mid-november 2001. Please provide any additional information / attachments.