2004 sle clunk / thud felt in front and in steering wheel

[Wellintr]

Many of the threads for this noise or problem are pointing towards the intermediate steering shaft and the slapstick effect felt when turning or returning wheels to center. I however do not feel this when turning at all, I do however hear a thud on small bumps in the road. A small pot hole or sharp rise and fall in the pavement can cause this noise. This noise does not happen when a large bump (a good example is railroad tracks) or more extream travel of the suspention I brought it to my mechanic and he lubed up the Intermediate steering shaft for me, thinking that might be the problem. There was no change in the thud after the lubrication. The car has 45k miles and is still very tight the symptoms do not point to the shaft but if any one here can offer an explaination or diagnosis i may bring to my mechanic I would be greatful, it is starting to get on my nerves.

On a side note- I have been under my car and the mounts, stabalizer bar, tie rod ends are all in great working order with no play

[lewis26]

Look in the wheel wells, and there are these weights attached to the motor mounts. They are held on with a strap around the motor mount

I found the one in my drivers side wasn't attached properly and was causing a clunk/thud when going over curbs and stuff. loosened the nut, reattached the strap, and no problems since.

[Wellintr]

i will check on this thanks for the input

[Archon]

It sounds as if you have checked most of the common causes. Check the stabilizer bar's end links carefully. They can often look good, but still be broken internally.

The struts can make a noise like that if they get leaky internally. At your mileage, that wouldn't seem likely, however.

The earlier years had a problem with the rubber spring insulator on the struts wearing through, and creating a clunk. That would usually be accompanied by a creaking sound while turning.

Another thing to check are the bolts for the steering rack.

[2003BlackSapphireSLE]

hi i am new to the forum but not to the bonneville problems. i have experienced what i believe you are experiencing and after chasing my tail and replacing parts that i didnt necesarily need ended up fixing it with a clue from a cadillac forum. the problem i had was a chuckle kind of noise/feel in the steering wheel over minor road deviations and rough road. i replaced stabilizer bar bushings, links, rack, tie rod ends, and intermediatre shaft with the newly designed tsb one, i was even considering struts next. what i found off the cadilac forum was the lower steering column bearing/jacket assembly. if you get under your dash, remove the silencer, and grab a hold of the intermediate shaft and wiggle the end of the steering column up and down you should not get any play or the noise/feeling you might be experiencing. if you identify the feeling then the repair is what is called the lower steering column bearing/jacket assembly. the column has to get disassembled to replace this. if i recall the part was 200 bucks or so and a few hours of my labor. i did it myself but im a mechanic. nobody was able to help me out on identifying this problem and i had to find it myself, so i hope this helps.

[00Beast]

Come to think of it, that is a problem on the trucks as well.

[Archon]

Good information. I can recall only one reported problem on the forum regarding that bearing. That symptom was a scraping or grinding noise while turning.

[BestBonnieYet]

I hate to sound stupid but what is the "silencer" that 2003BlackSapphireSLE referred to removing to get access to the I shaft?

[2003BlackSapphireSLE]

the silencer is the plastic thing under the dash with the dome light in it that blocks you from seeing the base of the column.

[Wellintr]

sounds like it is still pointing toward the intermediate shaft, is the new design any better or is it something i will have to deal with?

[00Beast]

The new design is a double D shaft vs. splined, IIRC, but the grease kit is cheaper and works just as well.

[Archon]

It's been a bit over 2 years since I lubed the shaft, and then wrote up the procedure in techinfo.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... f=55&t=217

I used CV joint grease, and the clunking has not yet returned.