'04-'06 Malibu/Maxx Front Suspension Noise

I took my '04 Maxx in this morning for an oil change and tire rotation and mentioned this "rough road clunk" that I've had for a while. (The folks in Edmund's still haven't hit on the answer, but I have it). (e2helper, feel free to enlighten them).

Turns out that there's a Preliminary Bulletin #PIC3747 dated 10/24/05 that addresses this issue. Per the Bulletin, "the root cause has been determined and corrective action is in the validation process". Which means that the fix isn't ready yet. "Service parts are expected in the first quarter of 2006".

The Bulletin specifically advises against replacing either the intermediate shaft or rack&pinion, or reloading the steering system, because the system will reset and the rattle/clunk will return (folks in Edmund's swear that these recent fixes work. They're in for a letdown).

This issue most often appears between the 3,000 to 5,000 mile mark. And never goes away. Appears to come from the left front suspension.

That's all I know for now.

Issue also affects '05-'06 G6s.

They're ordering the kit to replace part of the transmission to fix the howling, which is driving me insane. Wish me luck on that repair.

Well that is a new twist on it.
Is that Preliminary Bulletin #PIC3747 dated 10/24/05 put out or release by ford?

Here is all all data has on it.
http://members.troublecodes.net/crunch/test.pdf
MT

It's a GM document that the dealer was kind enough to print out for me.

Thanks for the info.
Looks like a new twist on the hole thing.
I will have to keep a eye out on it.
Thanks
MT

My '04 Maxx had a crack or clunk sound coming from the left front suspension or fender on accellerating, taking my foot off the gas, and braking. When I took it to the dealer, Stewart Chevrolet in Colma, CA, he had just spent a week on the same problem for someone else. It turns out it was a bad spot weld under the left fender, which has to be removed to fix it. The problem has never returned.

I had the Maxx in for some other problems earlier this month and again asked about the "fix". Now it's again delayed to the third quarter. My "buddy" at the dealership thinks that (off the record) GM is stalling because a LOT of vehicles could need new racks. This also affects G6s.

The interim "fix" this time was to tighten the strut towers, which didn't do a darn thing. There's also a grease kit "fix", with the same results.

Ok, so now I have the clunk. My first thought was it sounds like CV joint, but reading this post there seems to be other possibilities.
Any new info on This?
Thanks

No other problems...with that. Take it in and have the bulletin work done.

Now if I could only get my Chevy dealer to help with the gearshift lever that is practically falling off....:banghead: