Clunking/rattling noise when starting initially and turning left

Hey guys, I know this is for my car and not my Blazer, but everyone in this forum seems to respond quicker and is more knowledgable than the Century forum is. Your help with my 96 Blazer has saved me hundreds upons hundreds of dollars. So sorry for the car post but I need help!

I have a 98 Buick Century. I first noticed the problem many months ago when I would start the car. After I started it and put it into reverse or drive, I'd hit the accelerator and hear this kind of clunking/rattling noise sounding like it was coming from the driver's side in front of the steering column (or somewhere in there). It'd literally last like only a second then go away. Then the car was fine all day until I started it again later.

The problem seems to have progressed somewhat. Now it always does the noise at startup, and has begun doing it while I make left-hand turns. I'll stop, then turn and accelerate and I'll hear the noise again for like a second and it goes away. It doesn't do it on right-hand turns.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Have you checked your CV Joints? They may be going bad, look for a broken boot or leaking grease around the CV Joint.

See that's what I mean...less than five minutes and I get a reply! Thanks.

Is that something I would be able to replace on my own? I have the chilton's manual for this car and am still very much in the learning phase of all of this, but if I can do it myself I would prefer to!

See that's what I mean...less than five minutes and I get a reply! Thanks.

Is that something I would be able to replace on my own? I have the chilton's manual for this car and am still very much in the learning phase of all of this, but if I can do it myself I would prefer to!

Read the thread I posted.

After looking around a little, I found a few common problems with the centurys that can cause a clunk or rattle in the front.

1)
"
Some customers may comment on a rattle or clunk type noise coming from the underbody or front suspension.
Cause

The brake pedal pivot pin bushing may cause this condition.
Correction

Diagnose condition prior to replacing the brake pedal assembly by putting light side pressure on the brake pedal with your foot and applying the brakes. If the noise is no longer present, replace the existing brake pedal assembly with a new assembly,"

2) the intermediate steering shaft, you can google search for more info.

3) The tie rod ends:

Info - Release of New Outer Tie Rod Ends for Service #03-02-32-049 - (10/29/2003)
Release Of New Outer Tie Rod Ends For Service
1997-2001 Buick Century

1997-2001 Buick Regal

2000-2003 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue

2002-2003 Buick Rendezvous

1997-2003 Cadillac Seville

2000-2003 Cadillac DeVille

1997-2001 Chevrolet Venture (FWD)

1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu

2000-2001 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo

2002-2004 Chevrolet Venture (AWD)

1997-2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette (FWD)

1998-2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue

1999-2003 Oldsmobile Alero

2001-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora

2002-2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette (AWD)

1997-2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, Montana (FWD), Trans Sport (FWD)

1999-2003 Pontiac Grand Am

2000-2003 Pontiac Bonneville

2001-2003 Pontiac Aztek

2002-2004 Pontiac Montana (AWD)

Built Prior to VIN Breakpoint:

MAKE
MODEL
VIN BREAKPOINT

BUICK
Century
11258823

LeSabre
14249784

Park Avenue
14249785

Regal
11258825

Rendezvous
4S529587

CADILLAC
DeVille
1U214308

Seville
1U216400

CHEVROLET
Impala

(with ABS)
19272288

Impala

(without ABS)
19272261

Malibu
2M722624

Monte Carlo
19272288

Venture

(FWD)
1D258991

Venture

(AWD)
4D158213

OLDSMOBILE
Alero
2C315470

Aurora
14249783

Intrigue
1F207980

Silhouette

(FWD)
1D257061

Silhouette

(AWD)
4D158213

PONTIAC
Aztek
4S529587

Bonneville
14249787

Grand Am
2C315470

(Plant C)

2M722629

(Plant M)

Grand Prix
1F207791

Montana/Trans Sport

(FWD)
1D261124

Montana

(AWD)
4D158213


A new outer tie rod end service kit has been released. When replacing the outer tie rod ends, use the improved tie rod end service kit and modify the knuckles. Follow the service procedure below.

Procedure

Important
DO NOT USE the following outer tie rod end P/N's when servicing the above listed vehicles:

26086579
26086580

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle SI Document ID #587635.
Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation SI Document ID #536083.



Loosen the jam nut (2) on the inner tie rod assembly (1).
Remove and discard the prevailing torque nut from the outer tie rod assembly.



Using the J 24319-B, remove the outer tie rod assembly (2) from the steering knuckle (1).
While removing the outer tie rod end from the inner tie rod assembly, count the number of revolutions it takes to remove the outer tie rod from the inner tie rod and record it. Discard the outer tie rod end.




Important
When sanding the knuckle, DO NOT REMOVE excessive material from the knuckle. ONLY USE the emery cloth supplied in the service kit.


Use the emery cloth supplied in the service kit to remove the sharp edge on the knuckle shown above. The graphic on the left shows the " before sanding" knuckle and the exploded graphic on the right shows the "after sanded" knuckle.
Ensure that the sharp edge and the flashing on the knuckle are removed from the outer tie rod end boot/seal area.
Install the new outer tie rod end supplied in the service kit by screwing the outer tie rod end onto the inner tie rod end assembly. Turn the outer tie rod end as many turns as it took to remove the old outer tie rod end from the inner tie rod end assembly.
Install the prevailing torque nut to the outer tie rod assembly. Tighten
Tighten the prevailing torque nut to 30N·m(22 lb ft). Tighten the prevailing torque nut an additional 115 degrees of rotation.

"Hand Tighten" the jam nut at this time.
Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels SI Document ID # 536083.
Lower the vehicle.
Inspect the front toe and adjust if necessary. Refer to Front Toe Adjustment SI Document ID #580777.
Tighten the jam nut against the outer tie rod assembly. Tighten
Tighten the jam nut to 68N·m(50 lb ft).

Parts Information
Part Number
Model
Description
Qty.

89047698
Grand Prix

Montana/Trans Sport, Silhouette, Venture
Outer Tie Rod End Service Kit
2

89047749
Park Avenue

DeVille, Seville

Bonneville, LeSabre

Aurora
Outer Tie Rod End Service Kit
2

89047697
Century, Regal

Impala,

Monte Carlo

Intrigue
Outer Tie Rod End Service Kit
2

89047756
Rendezvous

Malibu

Alero

Aztek, Grand Am
Outer Tie Rod End Service Kit
2


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

E8067
Tie Rod End and/or Adjuster Sleeve -- Both Replace
Use Published Labor Time

E2000
Toe, Front -- Adjustment
Use Published Labor Time

Add:
To Sand Knuckles
0.1 hr




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
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© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Hi I have a 1998 Buick lesabre wondering if you ever found out what your issue was? Having the same issue now where noise comes and goes but is getting more frequent and mainly on right hand turns.