Steering Column Clunks on 2000 Bonneville

We have a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SE, and recently we can hear which sounds like clunks or noises through the steering column. Lets say you are parked, engine running, and just turn the steering wheel right or left, you can hear these little clunks which sounds like it is coming from the steering column, and you can also feel it through the steering wheel sometimes. It is not real loud, but you can hear it.

The cv joint boots all look good, had the wheels up and shook them side to side and up and down, and it is all tight as a drum.

Just wondering has anyone else had this problem before, or heard of this before. Driving down the road it is straight as an arrow, no vibrations, and no noises. Just when parked or lets say backing up out of a parking place or pulling in a parking place, then you will notice it.

Any help is appreciated.

Joe

The clunking sound could be a defective ISS - Intermediate Steering Shaft. GM has a few Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) out on this which affects alot of GM cars. There is one for lubrication of the ISS and another for replacement if clunking sound persists.

It is a faulty intermediate steering shaft..You can either do it yourself or take it to the dealership..To have it done by the dealer is about $300.00..Not too bad but it will eliminate the problem...You can try out www.bonnevilleclub.com if you have anymore questions...Good Luck

Thanks to both of you for replying.
How do I find the TSB bulletins from GM on the ISS? Could you tell me if the ISS is part of the steering column or part of the rack and piinion or maybe it is between. I am a decent do it yourselfer, and would like to find out more on doing it.

I guess the big question, is it safe to drive the car with a bad ISS? I will also go to the bonneville web site like you suggested.

Anymore info is greatly appreicated.

Joe

Thanks to both of you for replying.
How do I find the TSB bulletins from GM on the ISS? Could you tell me if the ISS is part of the steering column or part of the rack and piinion or maybe it is between. I am a decent do it yourselfer, and would like to find out more on doing it.

I guess the big question, is it safe to drive the car with a bad ISS? I will also go to the bonneville web site like you suggested.

Anymore info is greatly appreicated.

Joe


The problem is annoying but I am not sure if it is a safety hazard that requires immediate repair.

Here is a synopsis of the GM TSB. It affected primarily 2001 - 2002 Chevy Monte Carlos and other GM vehicles but the Bonneville class and GM "W" bodies such as the Regal, Impala, Century and Grand Prix are possibly subject to a similar problem.

A clunk type noise from the front of the vehicle during a turning manuver - sometimes also felt through the steering wheel when the wheel is rotated from steering stop to steering stop when the vehicle isn't moving - may be caused by inadequate lubrication of the steering intermediate shaft. This results in a "slip stick" condition possibly resulting in the clunk noise (TSB 01-02-32-001B, July 2002)

A GM dealer should have a kit, GM #26098237. This kit contains instructions, a syringe of lube, and a rubber cork/stopper to plug yoke end of shaft when forcing lube into splines. Cost approximately $12. A GM Kent-Moore tool to keep the steering column locked, as stated in the TSB is normally required. Doing this repair could damage wiring on SIR coil, if wheel is turned excessively with ISS removed. GM's original TSB listed the lube kit as a fix, but the latest TSB calls for ISS (intermediate steering shaft) replacement.

You are correct, the ISS is located between the rack and pinion and steering column. It has u-joints with the couplers. The applicable TSBs are:

TSB 01-02-32-001B - July 2002
TSB 01-02-32-001C - Sept 2003

Good luck!

Bnaylor, thank you so much for the technical info. I will definitely look into it, and see what I can do . The ISS after reading your reply, must be the little u-joint type connection that connects the column shaft to the rack and pinion. I have changed a rack and pinion before on a Olds, and know where it is located, because you have to disconnect this coupler from the stub shaft.

thanks so much for the info.
Joe