Guys/Gals--

Finally picked up my 2000 Bonneville yesterday and have driven it 50 miles or so. Gave me a chance to get a better feel for the steering clunk which up to this point I have assumed to be the notorious intermediate shaft problem. However, the clunk is only present when turning the steering wheel to the right. It used to make the noise when turning left but has since disappeared within the 50 miles. No noise whatsoever when turning left now.

The car has been sitting for about 1-1/2 years and only driven periodically (<14,000 miles on odometer). I'm wondering if it just needs to have the kinks worked out of it (so to speak) to loosen things up.

I've read a few posts about a possible u-joint/steering knuckle problem instead of the intermediate shaft and could use come opinions before I start my own diagnosis this weekend.

--Thanks

Mark

is the sound when the car is moving, or when the steering wheel is being turned?

It'* just at low speed or when not moving which sounds exactly like it would be the intermediate shaft. However, the fact that it is doing it only to the right is puzzling me. :?

at first when i noticed it. It was turning left, But now its both ways

sounds like the intermediate shaft and its just a fluke thing that its only to the right

sounds like one of your upper strut bearings is dry and needs lube or changing.
Thats what happened to me and my clunk is all gone.

thats a good thought... to get a good idea of this would be to spray some white lithium grease down inside your strut mounts and see if it helps the problem

yeah you have to take the underhood dust boots off first.
I turn my wheels all the way to the right then apply lithium and 90w gear oil mixture.
totally solved the problem. glad I didn't pull the struts.

i could be wrong, but i dont believe the 00+ have caps on the strut towers

I have a feeling it probably is something with the steering mechanism. I can definitely feel it in the wheel. I will check out the strut too however.

Assuming it is an intermediate shaft, is this a safety issue if left alone or just annoying?