Steering noise + shimmy at 70 *UPDATE 11/25/07 see post #22*
02-22-2007, 10:01 PM
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Steering noise + shimmy at 70 *UPDATE 11/25/07 see post #22*
When I test drove the car I noticed a faint shimmy at 70 mhr. I told the deal to check it and they balanced the tires. My dad drove it home the day we bought it. I didn't redrive it to see if it was still an issue. So I noticed it still had the shimmy and didn't think much of it other than the guy probably didn't balance them right. I bought the car out of state so while I was at my dealer today for a VA state inspection and emissions test I said to the service writer that I had the dealer where I bought it balance them but it still has a shimmy. Could they check the wheels and rims to see if there was a problem with one of them. He ask about the shimmy so I said it does it at 70 mhr. He said that thats an out of balance tire, so I said go ahead and rebalance them. Now I notice the shimmy a little worse Like maybe it was a rear tire at first and now it'* a front tire because I can also feel it a little more in the steering. Also now it pulls to the right a little.
I think it'* a bad tire but I can't see anything wrong with them. What do you'll think.
One more thing. I notice now that I've had the car a few days. When I turn the wheel to the right maybe a quarter from full lock (sometimes) it feels like something is rubbing in the steering. I can feel it in the steering wheel and hear it. I was going to have the dealer look at it today but they where real busy and I didn't want to leave the car there all day.
I think it'* a bad tire but I can't see anything wrong with them. What do you'll think.
One more thing. I notice now that I've had the car a few days. When I turn the wheel to the right maybe a quarter from full lock (sometimes) it feels like something is rubbing in the steering. I can feel it in the steering wheel and hear it. I was going to have the dealer look at it today but they where real busy and I didn't want to leave the car there all day.
02-22-2007, 10:34 PM
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The vibration that you are feeling has been a common complaint, without any one solution. Some never have had it go away completely. It could be a bad tire, out of balance tire, and alignment issue, or many other possible causes. As for the noise in the steering, check the sticky about the intermediate steering shaft at the top of the page, listen to the posted video and see if that sounds like the problem.
02-22-2007, 10:49 PM
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Yeah it doesn't sound like that. It only does it in one spot and only for a second as I turn past it but not everytime. 
It feels like it'* rubbing on a steering stop. Do these cars have those and are they rubber?
So these things have a common vibration issue? I hope that'* not part of my problem. It is worse after todays visit and the steering never pulled to the right until today either. My old park Avenue had a very similar problem but I could see the broken belts in the tires, all four of them if you can believe that. After I replace them the car drove straight down the road without shaking.
It feels like it'* rubbing on a steering stop. Do these cars have those and are they rubber?So these things have a common vibration issue? I hope that'* not part of my problem. It is worse after todays visit and the steering never pulled to the right until today either. My old park Avenue had a very similar problem but I could see the broken belts in the tires, all four of them if you can believe that. After I replace them the car drove straight down the road without shaking.
02-23-2007, 11:23 PM
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Were the tires rotated? I'll bet a worn rear tire was transferred to the front when they did the balance. Regarding the out-of-balance condition. I am one who has gone through 3 sets of tires looking for ones that balance. On the fifth balance with Kuhmo ASX'* they finally got it right. Smooth as glass now. And I still think you have a "condition" with your steering shaft.
02-24-2007, 03:56 AM
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But it doesn't sound anything like the sticky. I'll record it with me camera and try to post it so you guys can see what I'm talking about. I'll try to do this later today or tomorrow.
02-24-2007, 11:41 AM
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I recall someone saying that they had a similar noise (I think) to what you're describing. As I recall they found that the steering wheel or shaft was rubbing against the plastic in the column. Sorry, I don't recall exactly where it was.
02-24-2007, 04:47 PM
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Re: Two little issues with the new car
Originally Posted by whitecrystal1
When I test drove the car I noticed a faint shimmy at 70 mhr. I told the deal to check it and they balanced the tires. My dad drove it home the day we bought it. I didn't redrive it to see if it was still an issue. So I noticed it still had the shimmy and didn't think much of it other than the guy probably didn't balance them right. I bought the car out of state so while I was at my dealer today for a VA state inspection and emissions test I said to the service writer that I had the dealer where I bought it balance them but it still has a shimmy. Could they check the wheels and rims to see if there was a problem with one of them. He ask about the shimmy so I said it does it at 70 mhr. He said that thats an out of balance tire, so I said go ahead and rebalance them. Now I notice the shimmy a little worse Like maybe it was a rear tire at first and now it'* a front tire because I can also feel it a little more in the steering. Also now it pulls to the right a little.
I think it'* a bad tire but I can't see anything wrong with them. What do you'll think.
http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/FindLocations.cfm
Wright'* Buick in Mannases looks like the nearst GM dealer.
One more thing. I notice now that I've had the car a few days. When I turn the wheel to the right maybe a quarter from full lock (sometimes) it feels like something is rubbing in the steering. I can feel it in the steering wheel and hear it. I was going to have the dealer look at it today but they where real busy and I didn't want to leave the car there all day.
I think it'* a bad tire but I can't see anything wrong with them. What do you'll think.
http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/FindLocations.cfm
Wright'* Buick in Mannases looks like the nearst GM dealer.
One more thing. I notice now that I've had the car a few days. When I turn the wheel to the right maybe a quarter from full lock (sometimes) it feels like something is rubbing in the steering. I can feel it in the steering wheel and hear it. I was going to have the dealer look at it today but they where real busy and I didn't want to leave the car there all day.
03-01-2007, 12:08 PM
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Well here is the news on the steering noise and the vibration issue
The problem is with the Power steering gear part #26099978 The gear has to be replaced to fix it. I didn't think is was this serious. My dealer gave me a copy of the documentation Id summary #1638469 It says
As far as the vibration issue, the mechanic said they were not balanced right last week from the person who did it. He also said they weren't rotated properly which was causing the car to pull to the right. I just got home from there and it didn't pull anymore but I didn't have a chance to get it up to 70mph to see if was balanced good or not.
The car is still under a 30 day warranty from the dealer I bought it from in Maryland so I am going to contact them to get this fixed. Steering is 100% covered in the 30 day/1,000 mile warranty they gave me with the car. I have 170 miles left of it
I guess I found out just in time so it'* on their dime 
Edit I do still plan on recording what this sounds like and I will try to post it soon.
I also want to thank everybody for your help with this
The problem is with the Power steering gear part #26099978 The gear has to be replaced to fix it. I didn't think is was this serious. My dealer gave me a copy of the documentation Id summary #1638469 It says
Subject: Power Steering System Moan/Squawk (Replace Power Steering Gear) #01-02-32-008A-(03/24/2005)
Models: 2001-2002 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi Built Prior to VIN Breakpoint 24100674
Condition
Some owners may comment on an audible moan?squawk type noise that is heard during a low speed tuning maneuver.
Cause
This condition may be cause by power steering gear valve instability, resulting in a pressure disturbance which creates an audible noise that is transferred through the vehicle structure.
Correction
Replace the power steering gear, P/N 26099978. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement SI Document ID #722247.
Models: 2001-2002 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi Built Prior to VIN Breakpoint 24100674
Condition
Some owners may comment on an audible moan?squawk type noise that is heard during a low speed tuning maneuver.
Cause
This condition may be cause by power steering gear valve instability, resulting in a pressure disturbance which creates an audible noise that is transferred through the vehicle structure.
Correction
Replace the power steering gear, P/N 26099978. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement SI Document ID #722247.
As far as the vibration issue, the mechanic said they were not balanced right last week from the person who did it. He also said they weren't rotated properly which was causing the car to pull to the right. I just got home from there and it didn't pull anymore but I didn't have a chance to get it up to 70mph to see if was balanced good or not.
The car is still under a 30 day warranty from the dealer I bought it from in Maryland so I am going to contact them to get this fixed. Steering is 100% covered in the 30 day/1,000 mile warranty they gave me with the car. I have 170 miles left of it
I guess I found out just in time so it'* on their dime Edit I do still plan on recording what this sounds like and I will try to post it soon.
I also want to thank everybody for your help with this
03-01-2007, 08:58 PM
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Thanks for reporting back on what was found. It will certainly help someone in the future. What'* interesting is that we've had that TSB be the solution to problems previously. This is the first time that I can recall that it exhibited itself as a scraping sound. We'll have to remember that.
03-01-2007, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Archon
Thanks for reporting back on what was found. It will certainly help someone in the future. What'* interesting is that we've had that TSB be the solution to problems previously. This is the first time that I can recall that it exhibited itself as a scraping sound. We'll have to remember that.