My folks have a 2000 SSEI, black, grey leather, every possilbe option except chrome wheels. Gorgeous summer car, 30K on the odo. But, it has a nasty steering clunk, seems to be coming from two places... down low, you can feel it in the floorboards and hear it, when you jocky the wheel back and fourth, and up high, seems to be in the tilt area, as it changes pitch with different tilt angles. I have been under the car looking for obvious loose parts, but can't find any. The car is practically new, never hit anything, not even potholes. Is this a common thing? Have there been issues with this? Thanks, Mike.

Sounds like the infamous intermediate shaft, a common problem. Do a search on steering clunk, or intermediate shaft in the 2000+ forum and you'll find lots of information on it.

I agree on the diagnosis... seems like the part.

If you have the warranty, it would be best for you to take it in and have them take care of it.

GM

Clunking noise during turning maneuvers. Owners of some 1997-2002 GM compact, midsize and fullsize cars (complete list below) may complain of a clunking noise during low-speed turning maneuvers. The problem can also manifest itself as a binding condition when the steering wheel is turned lock-to-lock with the car stationary. GM says that a sticking or binding intermediate steering shaft is the most likely cause of the trouble, and that lubing the shaft with grease from a special kit (Part No. 26098237) should eliminate the headaches.

To install the grease, begin by removing the intermediate shaft from the vehicle. Now extend the shaft fully by pulling both ends apart. Using the syringe included in the kit, dispense all of the grease into the aluminum end of the yoke opening. Next, install the rubber stop plug from the kit into the opening, then secure it by swinging the upper yoke 90° until one of its ears fully compresses the plug.

Continue the procedure by positioning the intermediate shaft onto a workbench. Using hand pressure, stroke the shaft a little at a time until it collapses as much as possible. Remove the stop plug from the yoke opening. Now slowly extend the intermediate shaft and examine the shaft splines. The splines should be coated with grease for a minimum of .200 in. If they're not, reinstall the stop plug and repeat the stroking operation. To complete the fix, collapse and extend the intermediate shaft at least 15 times to fully distribute the grease onto the internal surfaces of the slip joint, then reinstall the shaft back into the car.

The following vehicles are affected by the problem and will benefit from the lube job:

1997-2002 Chevy Cavaliers

1998-2002 Olds Intrigues

2000-02 Cadillac Sevilles, Chevy Impalas & Monte Carlos and Pontiac Bonnevilles & Sunfires

Ive added this to the sticky thread about intermediate shaft, good info .

Its the shaft going, like the other guys said... They summed it up well! Good luck getting her fixed!

I just replaced it on my wife'* 02.

Hi, I have a similar problem. An intermittent clunk while steering; at first, then also occurs while initial acceleration and braking. Some days ...a very loud & obvious clunk, other days, subtle or not at all. One mechanic said, steering gear rack, other didn't know. Research has lead me to believe it is this lubrication issue. For some reason it'* hard to find answers to problems I have with this specific vehicle. I know these cars are common. Maybe this site can help.
I want to buy this kit, but I want to make sure this kit could be applied to my specific vehicle. It is not supercharged, but Advanced Auto only gives me the choice to pick SSE supercharged. Is it me, or are they idiots? Any help with the clunk problem is appreciated, thanks.

Also wanted to state that I know I posted this in a different year than what my car is, but this problem resembles mine and I would think my car year would be included in the TSB.

you check your sway bar endlinks, they commonly wear out rust through then clunk on stuff