Steering question

Hello all:

The steering in my 98 Intrigue GL feels strange. I don't hear any sounds but on a regular basis I feel these certain chops, kinda pulsating sensation through the steering wheel. I know it's not the traction control coz it happenes even when I turn it of.

Any thoughts on what it might or could be?

Save for this and the "yatzee" roll, shake & rattle, I really love this car. :thumbsup:

Cheers

the 98 Intrigue had the steering rack recall: Did you buy this car used or new? If used, you may have not registered with GM and would have not gotten the recall notice.

1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE Recall ID from NHTSA: 03V527000
Auto Recall Date: 20031211
Vehicle Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 750283
1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE Defect Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Thanks for the quick reply panzar.

I bought the car used about 2 months ago from the biggest GM retailer in Toronto, Canada. They didn't mention anything about registrering the car.

Does it make a difference if I live in Canada? Is it too late to register? If not, how do I go about it?

Thanks in advance,
aka

this question came up before from another Canadian. Recalls are by nation so an American recall may not be Canadian.

Contact your Canadian GM dealer about this and have your VIN handy so they can check it and see if the recall repair was done. If the recall service was not done your GM dealer should do the service for free. These recalls also have VIN breakpoints = not all 1998 cars may have the recall. =Doublecheck the recall to make sure your vehicle is part of the recall.

Well, I called GM Canada, gave them the VIN and apperantly, there is no open recall file on my car.

I guess I'm on my own!
aka

This is the Canadian recall:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/recalls/search_e.asp

Details of Recall #: 2003336

To determine if your vehicle was involved in a recall and has not been corrected, you should contact the manufacturer providing the vehicle's make, model, year and serial number.

Make: OLDSMOBILE
Model: INTRIGUE
Affected Year(s): 1998
Units Affected: 55411
TC Recall #: 2003336
Manufacturer:
Campaign Code: 03062
Recall Details
On certain vehicles, the lower pinion bearings retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers may fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. If the problem were to occur, the driver would have to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel. Correction: Dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower bearing, and replace the lower pinion bearing or the rack and pinion steering gear assembly, if necessary. This is an extension of recall 02-199

When I contacted GM Canada they said that there is no open recall file on my car.

I'm not quite sure how to proceed.
aka

I don't see a VIN breakpoint (assuming Canadian and American cars would be both on the list) on this recall. Maybe someone with an AlldataDIY 1998 Intrigue account has better information (my 2000 Intrigue AlldataDIY info does not have the recall)

I would print out the recall and give it to your mechanic for info. From what others are saying -it's a clunking noise. Do a search on this forum and the Internet for better info. Two people working on the car (one on the wheel and one underneath) should see that there is something obviously wrong. This could also be something else like bearings/bushings/ball-joints/alignment/CV joints/tie-rods/tires? (lots of possibilities)

I would goto a very good alignment shop with senior mechanics because this is a serious issue. Having some information and recall notices before you go is always a good idea also (print it out). You want a GM dealer or ex-Oldsmobile dealer = someone with experience and senior mechanics that also has excellent alignment facilities (GM preferred (due to possible recall), but you want that alignment experience specifically)

People also have problems with the intermediate shaft. =Very common at this forum with earlier Intrigues.

[QUOTE]Steering - Clunk Heard/Felt From Steering Column
Bulletin No.: 01-02-32-001F

Date: February 09, 2006

TECHNICAL

Subject:
Clunk Felt/Noise Heard From Steering Column, Steering Gear and/or Front Of Vehicle During Turning Maneuver and/or Steering Wheel Rotation (Lubricate Intermediate Shaft)
Models:
2001-2004 Buick Regal
2005 Buick Allure (Canada Only), LaCrosse
2001-2003 Cadillac Seville -with RPO JL4 (Control Active Brake)
1997-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2001-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
1997-2005 Pontiac Sunfire
2000-2005 Pontiac Bonneville
2004-2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
Supercede:

This bulletin is being revised to add additional diagnostic information to help prevent the unnecessary replacement of steering gears and to remove the 2005 Buick Regal and add the 2005 Buick Allure (Canada Only). Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-02-32-001E (Section 02 - Steering).

Could this problem be related to dry or worn out struts mounts?