1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Thudding/Grinding noise as I steer.

Old 04-01-2006, 08:25 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
 
Boreas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chi-Town
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Boreas is on a distinguished road
Default Thudding/Grinding noise as I steer.

Its an on and off thing but it seems to happen after it rains, then it goes away. As I turn the wheel it makes a rubbery thud-thud, thud, thud-thud from the front left wheel. When it gets really bad I can even feel it in the wheel and on the floor and it makes me quite nervous. As far as I can tell we had this characteristic for quite some time but my dad never made much of it till he gave me the car. What is it and how do I fix it?
Old 04-01-2006, 08:54 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
myfirstbonnie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Purgatory
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
myfirstbonnie is on a distinguished road
Default

Have you checked the alignment lately. I had a car that did a similar thing when the toe and camber was out. Since the roads are wet when it does it, it sounds like the front wheels are fighting each other. Hard to say though.

Also try checking the ball joints. Jack the car up and see if there is any play in the wheel. Check the tie rod ends while you're there. Make sure all the rubber boots are intact and a little firm.

Take a look at the CV joint boots on the axles also. A torn boot means water/dirt etc. This is a critical joint where the dirve shaft attaches to the wheel.

Check out all the mounts too. I believe this year has either three or four mounts.
Old 04-02-2006, 10:07 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
BLACK94SSEi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Melrose
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BLACK94SSEi is on a distinguished road
Default

If its only when you turn, im betting on the CV joint. Those will leave you stranded if they go. I did them on my Eclipse and it wasnt too bad nor too expensive. Im not sure whats involved though on a Bonne.
Old 04-02-2006, 07:14 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
 
Boreas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chi-Town
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Boreas is on a distinguished road
Default

Cv boots and joints are fine, and my tie rod was checked when I got my new tires back in December. Alignment was done not 3 months ago. When I go for an oil change this week ill have my mechanic look at it. I cant trace from the outside where the sound is coming from at all.
Old 04-02-2006, 07:33 PM
  #5  
RIP
True Car Nut
 
Archon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, Mi
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Archon is on a distinguished road
Default

Any spring type "sprong" sound to it? If so, it'* like the strut bearing in the bearing cap. Some have had luck squirting some oil in there for a temporary fix.
Old 04-03-2006, 08:34 AM
  #6  
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
willwren's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
willwren is on a distinguished road
Default

Only when it rains? Try belt slip. I just had that problem on the 93 two months ago.
Old 04-03-2006, 02:50 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
 
SSEBONNE4EVA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CT
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
SSEBONNE4EVA is on a distinguished road
Default slip

Yes,
My guess is belt slip or the upper strut mount bearing.
You can remove the dust cover and apply 90w gear oil to the four holes and see if that stops it.
That will tell you if its the bearing being dry.
Old 04-03-2006, 03:31 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Posts like a Supercharger
 
maxpower9004's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
maxpower9004 is on a distinguished road
Default

my car does this too. if i turn it to far in one direction, my car will tend to steer that way until i turn it back in the other direction. i had a mechanic look at it and he couldnt figure it out. mine usually only thumps once or twice, not a thump thump thump
Old 04-03-2006, 11:46 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
 
Logan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: MI
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Logan is on a distinguished road
Default

Mine does the EXACT same thing. Jack up the front of your car and take off the strut tower caps. Turn the car to on (not running) and steer to both extremes and watch the top of the strut. You will see it go pop, pop, pop.
Old 04-04-2006, 01:41 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
 
Boreas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chi-Town
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Boreas is on a distinguished road
Default

Thanks, Ill check those struts when I get home. I talked to my local dealer where I take it for oil changes and they quoted me 50-100 dollars just to diagnose my problem.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Thudding/Grinding noise as I steer.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:54 AM.