Clunking Nois In Steering

Here's the problem...When I turn the wheel left or right i hear a clunking noise. Its not a continous noise...one clunk left...one clunk right...one left and so on. I brought it in to a local garage and was told it was a bad rack and pinnion. Can someone tell me if this is a common problem or could this be something else. they gave an estimate of over $2000 cdn.

[AftermathAlero]

Originally posted by patrickdaigle@Jul 18 2004, 02:43 PM
Here's the problem...When I turn the wheel left or right i hear a clunking noise. Its not a continous noise...one clunk left...one clunk right...one left and so on. I brought it in to a local garage and was told it was a bad rack and pinnion. Can someone tell me if this is a common problem or could this be something else. they gave an estimate of over $2000 cdn.

Is the clunking noise while driving? if it is during your drive, then your CV joints are bad. (which you can get new remanufactured ones for $100 US. each, then you'll want to replace both sides)

If its making it while just turning left and right parked.. then the guys might be right as your rack and opinion might be going out. You can get that for $250 US. I dunno how much labor is to install those, if your going to a shop.

i would say its a bad wheel bearing. does it happen only when your moving slowly?? I had to get two new ones before the sound stopped.

no it does it when I'm sitting...its not leaking any fluids so I don't think I have to be worried yet. its been doing it for a while and is only one clunk when I turn left and one clunk when I turn right and so on.

someone said I can get a rack for $250 us...is that new or used. Here its over 1000 new

I have the identical problem with my 2000. Sitting still, one clunk in each direction, no other symptoms of a problem. Doesn't seem to do it when moving. I haven't had it diagnosed yet, but I know my Chrysler had the same thing, and it went away when I replaced the ball joints. I have 50K on the OD, so I figured that's what it was.
As an aside, get a second opinion on the price of the rack, I did eventually replace the one on my Chrysler, and it cost me $500 installed.

I took my car to the dealer and they told me I had a bad rack and pinion and wanted around 800 for the parts. I decided to take it to a garage that I have taken my car for me a few times and he said it didnt need to be replaced. He was going to charge me 630 including labor.

[AftermathAlero]

i dunno if this is a remanufactured or new


NAPA Rack and Pinion Rack & Pinion Complete - Power
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[3.4 Euro Alero]

I had the same problem with my '01. Do you have to turn alot, or just a bit to make it happen? With the car sitting and running, just rock the steering back and forth slightly. If you hear a slight clunk/click and feel it in the floor board as well, that is quite common on alot of GM's (I tried it on a brand new Alero and Impala and they both had it).

Thanks for all the info...I don't think I'll worry about this one just yet. Its like 3.4 Euro Alero said...I think its a common problem. My brother has a 2000 Grand Am...basicly same as the Alero and he has the same problem too.

Thanks Again
Pat :thumbsup:

just an update...finally brought it to get checked and it turns out to be a bad "intermediate steering Shaft" one of the three knukles is worn. apperently its not that serious just annoying. part at about $400 CDN. Rack is fine.

[AGT]

400 canadian installed?

not installed...just the part.

[AGT]

How hard to install?

[slowandlow]

is the clicking thing slop in the gears in the rack and pinion?

[mrtn]

i have the same problem. i might just try this trick before replacing any parts:

http://www.colinkraft.com/shaft.php

[MixtapeMessiah]

hmmmm I have the same thing happen to me cept its a LOUD clanking noise. My friend had an alero back in the day, dont know what year it was but she had to replace her steering shaft too, Im wondering if its that, or my cv joints. Also when I make a U-turn to the right I hear a whining sound and I know thats my wheel bearing.

[BadFrog]

if your parked its probably not your CV joints, you can check those( just look at the rubber boot ) its either your power steering gear also called the rack and pinion, or strut mounts ( I have to have both replaced) the whining probably means that it it your P/S "gear" which means your low on P/S fluid, or you have a shaft seal problem

[Satsuriku]

oh ya that sounds like a CV joint problem for sure. had the same problem with mine and it costed me $450 CDN for both the left and right (parts and install) so that sounds about right

[MixtapeMessiah]

Nah I checked it out today it is my cv joints, and as for the wheel bearing, it could be the "zipper" effect GM's have, but alero wheel bearing seem to go out all the time, so Im replacing all that junk