1999 Intrigue Clunk

When i turn the wheel on my Intrigue you can feel a little clunk in the wheel and also in the brake pedal. Anyone know about this? I am taking it to a shop and wanted to have some kind of knowledge about this issue before i speak with the shop. I have read in here about recalls from GM, about replaceing the steering rack or something like that?. How do I find information about recalls and would they still honor these recalls if this is my problem? I like this car . I just received it from my Grandmother she stopped driving and gave the car to me. She bought it used from a Gm lot in Oregon , the car only has 49k miles on it . But this clunk takes away from the smooth ride its frustrating.
Thanks . This is sure a great site!!

I believe the recall covers only the 1998 Intrigue.

I think you are experiencing the infamous 'steering clunk' that many 'W' body GM cars have. Basically it's the telescoping steering shaft in the car making noise. GM dealers have a lube kit for about $20. I did mine, although a hassle, it fixed the noise. From whay I'm told the noise will eventually come back, but mine has been quiet for a year and a half or so. Mine is a 2002 and was making the sound as soon as I bought it at 37k miles.

There are at least two GM TSBs possibly more on the intermediate steering shaft (ISS) problem that I know of applicable to and affecting certain GM "W" body cars such as the Intrigue, Impala, Monte Carlo and Regal.

01-02-32-001B - July 2002
01-02-32-001C - Sept 2003

Here is a synopsis of the first GM TSB.

A clunk type noise from the front of the vehicle during a turning manuver - sometimes also felt through the steering wheel when the wheel is rotated from steering stop to steering stop when the vehicle isn't moving - may be caused by inadequate lubrication of the steering intermediate shaft. This results in a "slip stick" condition possibly resulting in the clunk noise (TSB 01-02-32-001B, July 2002)

A GM dealer should have a kit, GM #26098237. This kit contains instructions, a syringe of lube, and a rubber cork/stopper to plug yoke end of shaft when forcing lube into splines. Cost approximately $12-$20. A GM Kent-Moore tool to keep the steering column locked, as stated in the TSB is recommended but not necessary. Doing this repair could damage wiring on SIR coil, if wheel is turned excessively with ISS removed. GM's original TSB listed the lube kit as a fix, but the latter TSB 01-02-32-001C called for ISS (intermediate steering shaft) replacement.

Anthony -

Remove the kick panel, pull back the grey boot to expose the upper knuckle with bolt, remove the bolt and slide the shaft clear of the upper splines, fill the shaft with grease, put the cork in and slide it up and down a few times. Make sure the steering wheel doesn't move more than 180 degrees either way. I used a bungee cord attached to the rt side inside door to hold the steering wheel from being accidentally turned too far. It will be a major effort to get the knuckle back on the upper splines, but I finally got it. I could probably do it in less than an hour next time.

According to the instructions you're supposed to pull the shaft completely out of the car. I didn't like that idea cuz it would mean getting the car up in the air and probably a lot more work.

I've never had to pull the shaft completely out of the car yet, so I don't know how hard it would be to do it the way the instructions tell you. Good luck, and let me know how this job goes.

Anthony -

Remove the kick panel, pull back the grey boot to expose the upper knuckle with bolt, remove the bolt and slide the shaft clear of the upper splines, fill the shaft with grease, put the cork in and slide it up and down a few times. Make sure the steering wheel doesn't move more than 180 degrees either way. I used a bungee cord attached to the rt side inside door to hold the steering wheel from being accidentally turned too far. It will be a major effort to get the knuckle back on the upper splines, but I finally got it. I could probably do it in less than an hour next time.

According to the instructions you're supposed to pull the shaft completely out of the car. I didn't like that idea cuz it would mean getting the car up in the air and probably a lot more work.

I've never had to pull the shaft completely out of the car yet, so I don't know how hard it would be to do it the way the instructions tell you. Good luck, and let me know how this job goes.

WOW thats great . This may be a dumb question where is the Kick panel located?