Steering Problem 2001 grand prix GT

roman1978 · 12-05-2005, 07:09 AM

Lately i have noticed on my Grand prix when i drive between 30-60 that my stering is not as tight as it was 2 years ago when i got the car. I also noticed when i am going in to corners at highway speed, i feel my stering wheel pulsating. I know brakes can do that but i am not aplying any brakes.I checked tire presssure its fine. Does any one know what the problem is.
thanks

BNaylor · 12-05-2005, 10:32 AM

It could be anything on the front end and even as simple as tires. How many miles do you have on your tires? I worked with a guy that thought he had front end (tire rods/wheel bearings) problems and steering system problems like a rack n pinion/power steering pump. He had the rack n pinion tested at the dealer which turned out OK. He eventually replaced his tires and had a complete alignment done which corrected his problem. Just my 2 cents.

If you had brake work done, make sure the caliper mounting bracket and caliper is properly torqued down to specs. Also check wheel nut torque for 100 ft-lbs. Good luck!

roman1978 · 12-05-2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

It could be anything on the front end and even as simple as tires. How many miles do you have on your tires? I worked with a guy that thought he had front end (tire rods/wheel bearings) problems and steering system problems like a rack n pinion/power steering pump. He had the rack n pinion tested at the dealer which turned out OK. He eventually replaced his tires and had a complete alignment done which corrected his problem. Just my 2 cents.

If you had brake work done, make sure the caliper mounting bracket and caliper is properly torqued down to specs. Also check wheel nut torque for 100 ft-lbs. Good luck!

I just replaced 4 tires and 4 strutd about 10,000 miles ago also replaced right tie rod and left ball joint and did wheel alignment after all that. But now that i start to think about it, this problem started after i
changed all these parts.

BNaylor · 12-05-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roman1978

I just replaced 4 tires and 4 strutd about 10,000 miles ago also replaced right tie rod and left ball joint and did wheel alignment after all that. But now that i start to think about it, this problem started after i changed all these parts.

It sounds like a good starting point. I'd rotate the tires first. Front to back and try it out again. If that doesn't work maybe the alignment should be verified again. If camber is off it will give you a similar problem with the steering. The camber can be adjusted by elongating the lower struts holes if the alignment shows it is off. Good luck!

richtazz · 12-05-2005, 12:19 PM

I agree with Bnaylor, rotate the tires, and torque the lug nuts to spec with a torque wrench (100ft/lbs). Also re-check the lug nut torque after a few days, as aluminum wheels can loosen after a few heat cycles and need re-torquing.

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