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.

steering problem/ clunk noise.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-07-2004, 12:10 AM
  #11  
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

And don't forget to get an alignment after you're done. I'm a little concerned that the troubleshooting here seems to have fallen short before the part was purchased? How positive are you that you have found the cause of your problem? I can think of about 5 things that can cause your symptoms off the top of my head, and the upper strut bearing wouldn't be at the top of the list.
Old 11-07-2004, 04:42 AM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
lemans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: alberta, canada
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
lemans is on a distinguished road
Default

although i agree with 93 bonneville that your purchase of parts was premature to a definite diagnosis of your problem, i'm curious as to what the other five possibilities of your problem coud've been?when turning your wheels ( at a parked position ) do they do a clunk, clunk, clunk as you turn from left to right? if so i bet it is the bearings and if it is , yes you do have to do a wheel alignment after your done. the strut assembly contains the strut, spring, and bearing on top. pull the front wheel and support vehicle.there should be two bolts on the bottom of the strut assembly to steering knuckle and some smaller ones under hood of car where it mounts to body of car. pull assembly then put on spring compressor.once spring is safely compressed remove bearing on top of assembly and change bearing. reinstall assembly. get wheel alignment.it shouldn't take two days. i'm on my fourth bonneville now and i'm pretty confident on this one. good luck (from a former mechanic)
Old 11-07-2004, 09:22 AM
  #13  
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 struts

Save yourself a lot of time money and heartache.
Turn wheels to right, remove both strut dust covers, apply 90w gear lube
to the three exposed holes. Clunking will stop.
Old 11-07-2004, 11:55 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
 
looong4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Holly, Michigan
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
looong4 is on a distinguished road
Default

I am not sure what it is, i bought the part already because if it was it i wanted to get started on it yesterday if there was anyone that had this exact prob and know what it was, I was out in the area and i wouldnt have a problem returning it the part if everyone thinks its not the prob. What else could the problem be? When my car is slightly moving and i turn, or i am not moving, it makes the clunk(*). But the part i am worried about it that whatever way i turned last it pulls that way. Somtimes it doesnt pull at all. But say i pull out of my driveway hard to go left, sometime my car pulls ALOT. If i am on the eway and let go of the wheel it would pull my through all three lanes quick. Does this sound like the bearing. Because looking at it doesnt seem like it would control that. But i have no idea thats why I am asking you guys.
Old 11-07-2004, 12:18 PM
  #15  
Junior Member
 
lemans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: alberta, canada
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
lemans is on a distinguished road
Default

mine used to pull also but not as bad as yours probably does. i would try lubing it like ssebonne suggested. i took the typical mechanics approach to the problem but if lubing works , why not.
Old 11-07-2004, 08:08 PM
  #16  
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 pulling

Its the upper strut bearings slipping out of the cage.
My SSE did the same thing. It would pull to the right or left after it clunked.
I would put my foot on the brake and turn the wheel in the opposite direction to pop it
back into place.
I lubed them with gear oil mixed with white lithium grease and it solved the problem.
Or you could always change them.
Old 11-07-2004, 08:59 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
Posts like a Supercharger
 
JLAudioEclipse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Clarkston, Michigan
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
JLAudioEclipse is on a distinguished road
Default

Kevin dought it is the upper strut bearing. Had same problem with my 93. Turned out to be my wheel bearing. Clunking was coming from the wheel bearing walking out when turning. Pulling was coming from the wheel and bearing being walked out after a turn that it was fluctuating the camber and toe of that wheel. Hope you fix the problem. Also if you need any help over there don't be scared to call.
Old 11-08-2004, 08:46 AM
  #18  
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 lube

Thats why if you apply the lube under the dust caps its a quick and easy test to see if thats the problem without spending a lot of time any money.
If the problem clunking goes away you then know its the upper strut bearings.
Old 11-08-2004, 08:54 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Thread Starter
 
looong4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Holly, Michigan
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
looong4 is on a distinguished road
Default

I lubed it up and the clunk is gone. thanks! it still pulls like it did but not half as bad. Now i know what it is so if it gets bad agian i can change it. I'm gonna keep the part just in case. thanks everyone.
Old 11-09-2004, 10:47 AM
  #20  
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 strut bearing

Good job!
By the third time I lubed mine I also put the strut bar on and the clunking stopped
altogether.
The lube penetrated any rust that may have been in there after about 6 months.
Just keep lubing a couple more times if it clunks and you may be good to go.
Its no fun pulling these struts.


Quick Reply: steering problem/ clunk noise.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:06 AM.