2000 bonne sle 3.8 auto
 

I recently bought a bonneville that needed front end work.
I replaced both front control arms and bearings along with both struts (coil springs too). The dr side axle was flinging grease so it got replaced. It was a huge bear to get out lots of pulling prying and readjusting. After a front Ed alignment the car runs drives much better but something's not right. If I put it on ramps ican wiggle te axle where it enters trans (driver side). Seems its in all the way, clip is holding, axle is not falling out. If I grasp the round center rod between the cv's I can move it in and out easily and hard enough to make a clunk noise when pushing the cv's toward the trans and towards te wheel. The sound seems like the bearings pushing against the inside of the "bucket cap"(housing?). Passenger side moves slightly but not like the new one it seems loose. Im torn between blaming the new auto zone axle or maybe there's a problem In the trans ( bearing, brass bushing). It's almost likete axle is too short so the center piece is " floating" with excess room to travel and the part in the trans seems sloppy compared to the pass side. I also replaced the strut springs from auto zone and although try are a bit different than the original ones I do t think they're the culprit because the noise is only driver side. It sounds like a broke stab link. When I hit bumps pot holes or drive on gravel etc it rattles like a loose bolt (seems like noise is similar to the noise I get when wiggling axle shaft with car on ramps. I can't reproduce the noise by manually working suspension. I noticed if I keep brakes applied and cycle the trans D to R I hear a clunk/pop at the axle....... Like a bad u joint..... On the driver side........ Anyone have a tip or schematic for the trans/output shaft?

Strut mounts are new as well and I replaced the front motor mount a few months ago. Also greased the steering shaft to rule it out as the noise maker..... Could the rack make noise without leaking?

How are the tie rods?

Hopefully Roy will chime in, he has some deep knowledge of the 2000-2005 steering/ suspension.

How many miles on the Bonny? We know why you replaced the CV axle, but why did you replace the control arms and bearings? I am assuming new ball joints were part of the control arms?

If the noise your hearing is in the front, while driving over gravel, it's the inner brake pad that the pad's springs fits inside the piston.. they have been bent and are now loose, if you press on brakes, sound will go away until pressure is released

just pull the brake pad and bend the brake pad springs back apart, and fit back into piston

this should take care of the rattle

as far as the cv shaft, mine is the same way at only 41k miles I swapped out cv shafts 4 times.. all the same

you can see video here
https://www.gmforum.com/oldsmobile-1...ration-304786/

Tie rod ends were replaced as well. 170k mileage. Good input on the brakes but not that I checked them anyway but the noise persists even when braking. Control arms had more empty hole than bushing and the bearings were replaced chasing the traction/abs light issues. I noticed while test driving its smooth and straight but if I release the wheel and accelerate hard it pulls right a bit.... Could be unrelated, pass side axle is "old" not clicking or leaking tho, could also be traction control abs not functioning.......the movement Is similar to the second video. The first video looked wicked hope u got that fixed. My bonne doesn't shake or vibe I just get a clunk or rattle when the suspension is worked.... Maybe I can get a camera with decent audio and post it

Yeah, the shake in mine.. nobody can figure out

Did you use a new nut for the driver side half shaft? Is it possible it got hung up and torqued out before it bottomed out? Check how much shaft is sticking out past the nut on the driver side versus the passenger side.

Check the body mounts (body to frame) in case one or more has failed.

Are you absolutely certain the half shaft is fully seated in the transmission? There is a distinct pop when the snap ring seats.

When you raise the front end of the car, is there any play in either front tire when you grasp the tire at both sides and push and pull, and when you do the same while grasping the tire at top and bottom.

Without actually seeing it myself, the play you describe in the half shaft may or may not be normal. Do the same to the passenger side and compare the two.

Please keep in mind I can only guess, but I suspect you don't have the half shaft properly seated.

yes am sure that my half shaft is all the way in on mine.. after doing it 4 times
the outer nut was new, each time, have loosened it... and even retightened.. bot side have the same amount of threads sticking out, nothing loose

I've checked, shop has checked... tires/wheels road forced 2 times.. nobody can find why it shakes as if the tire is coming off the ground at 75

John, please start your own thread. My response was for the original poster, not you. The advice to check the body mounts might apply to your case.

I've checked body/subframe mounts they seem fine. Ill check nut and axle again...... Maybe remove it and reset it. As for the nut I'm pretty sure the axle came with a new nut but I'm not positive. Didn't notice any play in the wheel
But ill chk that too. If I move the steering wheel left to right rapidly (engine off) I do get a clunky noise...... Doesn't feel clunky just a sound. Ill try to get some video posted after wrk I know it's hard to distinguish a clunk,bang, clackity, pop noise over the Internet