My car has been making some really rude noises lately. Humming while driving down the road and I turn the wheel a little to the left (obviiously wheel bearing) and it'* SNAPPING once when I turn it all the way to the left, and it snaps again when you turn it back. Also, the steering wheel does that stupid clunk clunk noise ever 1/4 turn. So i took it in to get it looked at and of course, it needs a new wheel bearing. And I was told the snapping noise and the popping noise in the steering colum is because I new strut mounts and strut bearings...and of course they wanted $1200 for it all before tax. And they tried to tell me the cheapest wheel bearing i could get was $450....please... But anyways!
I said not to worry about the popping and snapping then - there'* supposed to be a recall on that (remember) But my question is, I thought the recall was related to something in the steering COLUM. Nothing to do with mounts/bearings. also if i do take it in for the recall, do i need the actual piece of paper from GM stating the recall? I'm a girl obviously and the Pontiac Dealer near me is quite the wheeler-dealer so I can just imagine i'm going to get a good run around on this. If I need the recall slip from GM, how do I go about getting it?

450 seems to be the prevailing number for wheel bearings for our car. I had both of mine replaced under warranty so i didnt pay it, but thats what they quoted me as well. There is no recall for the steering shaft but there is a TSB on how to fix it and it involves relubing the shaft (if i remember right) I had this done as well however i had to pay for it (again under warranty).

I took mine in for the steering TSB, my extended warranty covered, $50 out of pocket deductable.

one problem. The warranty ran out ages ago. I KNOW there is a recall on that steering. I've seen it before...

You may want to PM rat about it or do a search on the forum for the recall but I dont recall the recall (sorry bad pun )

Here'* some GM inside info for you 2000 - 01 Bonneville owners out there.
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.
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Or how about this?????

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Vehicle: All Technical Service Bulletins
Steering Column Pop/Noise
Group Ref.: Steering/Suspension
Bulletin No.: 333210A
Date: December, 1993
SUBJECT:
STEERING COLUMN POPPING NOISE (REPLACE UPPER BEARING INNER RACE SEAT)
MODELS:
1992-93 PASSENGER CARS EXCEPT CHEVROLET CAVALIER. GEO AND PONTIAC LEMANS
1992-93 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EXCEPT GEO TRACKER
Vehicles affected have TILT steering columns (round style) with the exception of the "W" series (square style).
CONDITION:
Some owners of vehicles with integral TILT steering columns may hear a pop noise when turning. The noise occurs specifically when the driver is
making normal steering turns in either direction and generally when the steering wheel is returning to center.
CAUSE:
The upper bearing inner race seat under certain conditions may cause a pop noise. The part may have a burr on the inside skirt.
CORRECTION:
To verify that the upper bearing inner race seat is the cause of the pop noise in the steering column, use the following method:
1. Engage the park brake and start the engine.
2. Point the wheels of the vehicle straight ahead.
3. While listening for a pop noise, rotate the steering wheel in either direction to the wheel stop. Slowly return the wheel back to center. If the
noise is not heard, drive the vehicle at a slow speed listening for the noise to occur.
Important:
When the steering column is warm, the pop noise will be more audible.
4. If a pop noise is heard, replace the upper bearing inner race seat with P/N 7815184. Return the steering wheel back to center with the wheels
of the vehicle pointed straight ahead. Turn the ignition lock cylinder to "LOCK" position and then begin the repair. Refer to Section 3F5A/3F5B in the Service Manual to replace the upper bearing inner race seat.
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Labor Operation Number: E7310
Labor Time: 0.6 hrs.
For GMC Truck ONLY, use: T7681
Labor Time: 0.4 hrs. (With SIR add .2 hrs.)

Posted in another thread by Deathrat. I think that'* it...

...and this is from GTP2SSEi (hope you don't mind me borrowing this)

"there is a steering voluntary recall on '00 -'03 Bonnevilles,....the intermediate steering shaft(there'* an upper,a lower,and an intermediate shaft)has universal joints that are 'whacked' and start grinding( you feel it most when you are taking off from a stop,and turn the wheel right or left[like going around a corner]and when you go over some sharp bumps/ruts/railroad tracks you hear/feel a 'chucking' through the steering wheel).My wife'* '01 BonnevilleSE(20,000 miles)was taken in for the problem...and they used a 'special'lubricating grease-kit,supposedly made/devised just for this problem[I sarcastically referred to it as Magic Grease when the Service Manager said that a special expensive kind of grease was going to eliminate the 'play' in a bad U-joint"

ok, you got the info....have you checked with your Dealer to find out if they're going to do it as a TSB, or a Recall?

I think these are all TSB'* not recalls. I could be wrong though.

i believe that TSB'* are nothing more than a description/solution (for a tech) for vehicles that have common repeat problems that GM finds out about

my dad was a Tech at a GM dealership