When I backed out of my garage this morning there was a loud clunk type noise from the front of my car, more than likely in the steering. It happened when I turned the wheels, and then when I parked the car aside to see what it was it did it again. I don't think it does it when sitting in place and turning the wheels. It'* not the intermediate shaft because I know that clunk well, this is much louder.

While I have a thread open, I also have a clicking noise that happens randomly from the middle of the car or farther back. It is always 3 clicks in a row, kind of loud, definately noticeable. Have heard it a few times when sitting at a stop light.

Wondering what the heck is going on, any ideas fellas?

Well, apparently the clunk from the front end is the tire grabbing the plastic in the wheel well. For whatever reason the push pins let go, and it was flapping around.

While I have a thread open, I also have a clicking noise that happens randomly from the middle of the car or farther back. It is always 3 clicks in a row, kind of loud, definately noticeable. Have heard it a few times when sitting at a stop light.

How about this though?

Is the clicking just when you're stopped? Or have you noticed it while driving too?

Seems to me I have heard it when driving too at low speeds. Doesn't happen often, but enough to get me to ask what the heck is that. It sounds like its literally right behind and under the drivers seat.

Did you take a look to see if anything is loose that could be moving to make the noise? I'm not familiar with the Bonne, so I'm not really sure what'* in that area..

Just two days ago, I turned right onto my subdivision road. The road comes off of a highway, so when you turn, your also pulling down off the highway, sort of putting the nose down, with weight focused on the left front wheel. Just about as soon as the weight would have been at it'* max, I heard a loud POP. It definitely got my attention...enough to get out and wonder what I hit or ran over (which was nothing). I got back in the car and started pitching the car left and right, under throttle and off throttle. I could repeat the sound as the nose of the car lifts. I'm wondering if there is something loose, or if something is in a bind. The pop sounds more like a result of something binding and releasing.

When I had my motor mounts changed the last time (it'* been twice now, and I drive the car very nice), the dealership handed me the keys, shut the garage down for the weekend, and I got in the car to drive it home. I gently went about 100 feet to the first stop light. When it turned green, I only moderately accelerated and I heard the same popping/thumping sound. I had to drive it home, leave the car parked, and then brought it back on Monday for them to fix. They fixed it, but because it was their fault/error, I never was told what had to be corrected. Whatever it was, it must have been something that had to be removed or loosened to change the motor mounts. Sure would like to know what it was. Going to try and crawl under the car and look for possible issues tomorrow. My first thought was that it sounded like struts popping, but it'* not. My second thought/concern is that it has something to do with the power rack and pinion steering cradle/assembly.

Anybody have any ideas? It is DEFINITELY NOT the intermediate steering shaft. It is something much more noticeable and has varying levels of loudness. A bumpy road surface will cause a low level of the thump that you notice, but I'm still not where to start for my search.

Sounds like what I have, I thought I found the problem. Still some kind of noise there. I'll have mine on the lift tonight, see if I find something...

I found the problem with my thumping/popping noise! The front stabilizer/sway bar has what they call "Stabilizer Links" at the ends, bolting it down to the lower control arm of each front wheel. My right front stabilizer link was bad....really bad. The link consists of about a 5" long bolt, that has rubber bushings, a spacer, and a nut. The right front bolt on my stabilizer was rotted/rusted in half. I thought I was looking at a mid 80'* frame/body mounting bolt on my old Hurst Olds Cutlass. Obviously, moisture gets trapped inside of the hollow, plastic spacer used between the bushings. I replace mine with a Moog Heavy Duty stabilizer link for the 2005 Bonneville GXP. Got it at O'Rielly'* and the whole assembly only cost about $12. I should have done the left side link as well, but simply didn't have the time. I'm sure it will soon be breaking. My 2004 GXP has 92K on it. Struts, control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, etc all seem to be fine. The test drive gave me the results of my work with no more noise AND a bit stiffer/firmer suspension on a hard left turn. I will definitely fix the right side soon. It wasn't hard to replace at all, ONCE I found the problem!

FYI for anyone that owns a 2004 Bonneville GXP......
Every time I go to get parts for my GXP, somewhere other than at the dealer, I always end up with someone trying to sell me the wrong part, and me having to double check what they're giving me is correct for my car. At O'Rielly'* for sure, their books DO NOT SHOW a 2004 Bonneville GXP. Only the SLE and the other version Bonneville models are shown. Many times the service guy is trying to put Grand Prix GXP parts in my hand.

If you're needing to buy parts for your 2004 Bonneville GXP, and the guy behind the counter is having trouble finding your part, or you don't think that what he gave you is correct, tell him to look up a 2005 Bonneville GXP and compare what he finds or hands you!