Hello All,
I experience a rather loud vibrating whining type noise when turning either direction at low speeds(less that 20 mph) in my 96 ssei. Is this the pump making this noise? or the rack? or the tie rods? The noise seems to be loudest on the passenger side. I haven't noticed a leak of power steering fluid. Supposedly the pump was replaced by the dealership before I purchased in New Mexico, but I'm starting to doubt that. Anything I can check for? :?
Thanks in advance for your help.


Scott(96AZSSEI)

You can narrow it down real quick.....I just did this recently. Have somebody else crank the wheel at idle while you 'listen around', then do it without the engine running, to rule out the pump. 5 minutes, and you should know exactly where the problem was. I had a bushing that was going through grease withdrawals.

I did do that but with the engine running. I'll try it w/o. If it does not make the noise when the engine is off does that single out the pump as the problem?

More than likely, but now that my sleep deprived mind is going over your first post, it sounds more like the pump to me.......is it a fairly high frequency chatter type vibration, and can you feel it through the steering wheel as well as hear it?

exactly! :P

so you think it'* the pump? :(

Hot Tip #5:
Subject: Intermittent Squawk or Groan Noise from Steering System >>> 09/13/02
Vehicles Affected: 2000-01 Bonnevilles
Summary: Replace Steering Gear & High Pressure Hose Assembly.

This is a situation where the owner may comment that the steering system emits a load squawk noise at times when the steering is turned at low speeds. The likely cause for this issue is an internal steering gear resonance. To correct this condition, replace the components outlined in this hot tip. Note that these parts are for vehicles with specific options. Care must be taken to get the right parts for the application. This information only applies to cars with Magna-steer "E" that was installed in some models in the 2000 model year.

The steering gear for the 2001 Bonneville SSEi is now available and can be used to correct a squawk concern on a 2000 or a 2001 Pontiac SSEi. Use steering gear P/N 26099978. Steering gear will be substituted with an updated gear.

These parts went into production at the following VIN break points: H Body gear 1G2HZ541224100674.
I can see if there is something simular for your car though!

please see if you can find something DeathRat. I have a 96 SSEi with 81k miles. I'm thinking it might be the pump but your "Hot Tip" seems more serious than that. Also, I don't know if I'd call the noise a squawk(like a bird?). More of a vibrating whiny type noise.

I haven't really noticed a leak(at least not on the floor of my garage). I'll have to do more investigating.

When i turn slowly and when i have the steering wheel pumped all the way it can go i hear a noise also. I'm pretty sure that'* normal, right? I've heard some other cars make some hideous noises when they do that..not bonne'* of course!

Have you checked the power steering fluid? Some noise is common in power steering but with my minimal hydrolics background, I know what causes that noise and that it isn't nessiccarily a good thing (generally air in system).