2003 grand am front noise

[Gabito72]

Hi all, I'm from Mexico.
First, I apologize for my english.
I have read this site for a while. I have a 2003 grand am gt, and since a few weeks ago, i have been hearing a noise on the front of my car, first i believed was the struts, changed them. Complete Strut Assemblies, and the noise still there, then i changed lower control arm, with new bushings and ball joint, then changed stabilizer bar link, the noise still there, then changed steering tie rod ends complete, and the noise still there, i changed wheels, and the noise still there, this stuff is driving me crazy, i'm thinking in change the cv axles, but i'm not sure that can solve the problem, i checked today if the steering gear box was pretty tight, and it was fine. What else do i have to check? Somebody can help me? I'm going be nuts in few days!!!!

[Tech II]

Noise? That's it? I have a noise in my front seat.....it's my brother in law....

You have to give us something guy.......Is the noise only there when moving?

Is it rotational? Does it get louder, the faster you go? Hear it only on turns? Hear it only on acceleration?

Can you "describe" the noise? Roar? Clicking? Thumping? etc.

[Gabito72]

Yeah, you're right.
Thanks for your reply.
Here I go, the noise sounds like if something is loose, i hear that noise even if i go slowly or fast, but if i drive on a road with a bad surface, the noise is more clear. Sounds like knock knock knock, is not too loud, but it bother me. I already checked engine supports and all looks fine. I know a bad cv axle sounds when you turn the steering to the left or to the right, but i unkown it could sounds on straight path. I hope this helps!
Thanks

[Gabito72]

Hi, here i am again.
Good evening.
Today i made a test to my car.
With engine off, i turned steering wheel to the left and to the right many times quickly, and i can hear a noise (knock knock) on the back of the front wheels, i think on the joint of the cv axle (hub side). Is this normal? Because i can appreciate that the wheels moves like if they were loose.
I hope this helps
Regards

[Tech II]

Could be an intermediate shaft or the rack itself....

[Gabito72]

What do you mean with " rack itself"? Sorry, i'm not a Mechanic men.
When you say intermediate shaft, do you refer to the cv axle?
Thanks for your time

[Gabito72]

Some body help me!!!!

That noise on my car is driving me crazy.
The last thing i found as a possible cause of the noise is a worn bushing on the output shaft of the transmission. Some body knows if this situation can cause a noise like a i described on this post?
I noticed that, when i removed the cv axle to inspect.
But I don't know how to replace that bushing. How dificult could it be?
Thanks

[gmtech1]

Originally Posted by Gabito72

Some body help me!!!!

That noise on my car is driving me crazy.
The last thing i found as a possible cause of the noise is a worn bushing on the output shaft of the transmission. Some body knows if this situation can cause a noise like a i described on this post?
I noticed that, when i removed the cv axle to inspect.
But I don't know how to replace that bushing. How dificult could it be?
Thanks

Not likely that a axle shaft bushing will cause that noise. A special tool is required to remove that brass bushing from the transmission case and reinstall it. The intermediate shaft that Tech II is referring to is the shaft between the steering column and the rack and pinion. The "rack itself" is referring to the rack and pinion. Have you checked the tie rods for wear? Are the ball joints ok? How about the lower control arm bushings? If you can duplicate the noise sitting still, have a helper make the noise happen while you feel for the noise with your hand of different steering parts and listen for it also.

[Gabito72]

ThAnks for your kindly replay.
That's because i asked. I'm not sure that situation can cause the noise.

I already change, lower control arms, tie rods and tie rod ends, struts assembly from rockauto.com (moog), stabilizer links, and a trans mount, i already checked the subframe for possibles cracks, and every thing seems to be ok. I want to remove the steering case to inspect it; because i have heard a noise if i turn the steering wheel quickly to the right and to the left, with engine on, but on parking.

I'm not a mechanic men, but i would like to do it by myself.
What do you think?
Regards!

[gmtech1]

Originally Posted by Gabito72

ThAnks for your kindly replay.
That's because i asked. I'm not sure that situation can cause the noise.

I already change, lower control arms, tie rods and tie rod ends, struts assembly from rockauto.com (moog), stabilizer links, and a trans mount, i already checked the subframe for possibles cracks, and every thing seems to be ok. I want to remove the steering case to inspect it; because i have heard a noise if i turn the steering wheel quickly to the right and to the left, with engine on, but on parking.

I'm not a mechanic men, but i would like to do it by myself.
What do you think?
Regards!

Sorry, I missed that you stated that you had replaced all those parts in your first post. Try like I said with having someone duplicate the noise and see if you can locate it by feel.

[Tech II]

I'm sure that GMTech1 can back me up on this one.....

If the sound happens, with engine running, car stopped, and you turn the steering wheel quickly left and then right and then left and then right, then the usual culprit is the intermediate shaft......GM has had many TSB's or bulletins on this problem.......they started off replacing them....then they lubed them....then they came out with a new design....then they lubed the new design....it's been a problem....

[Gabito72]

Thank you both for your help. I' m gonna take my car to a steering workshop. I will let you know what happend.
Thank again!!!
This forum is great!!!

[xeroinfinity]

from what youre saying sounds like the rack and pinion is the culprit. Some even break off their mounting brackets and or bolts loosen causing some rattling.

even my GA makes some noise when turning the wheel back and forth when its not running. and everything is new under mine.

But i would check the rack thoroughly