Newbie just bought a 2002 GS steering problem?

[tcmiller3]

Hello to all and if anyone can help, it would be appreciated.

I just purchased a used 2002 Regal GS with 66K miles. Car runs and drives great for the most part. However at very low speeds when turning and stopping there is a slight thumping that can be felt in the steering and also around the floorboard. It isn't loud enough to be heard by a passenger, only the driver but something is definately not right. I know that GM has problems with the trucks and the intermediate steering shafts. Is it possible that this could also be the problem with my GS?

At higher speeds when coming to a quick stop there is a small shutter in the front of the car, I am assuming this may be rotors but any other opinons would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF and the Regal forum.

Congratulations on your purchase. Good decision.

I would take a look at the intermediate steering shaft and where it connects to the rack and pinion. GM has a lube kit per GM TSB that you can apply DIY as starters.

On the braking issue most likely warped disc rotors or excessive lateral runout. Best thing to do is inspect the brakes. Check to see how much pad is left. If the brakes are original it is probably time for a brake job anyways. I recall the original brakes in my '01 Regal GS made it to around 60K miles.

[tcmiller3]

Thanks for the quick response. From my description does this sound like it could very well be the ISS? How do you get your hands on the GM lube kit and instructions for use? Regarding the brakes, I'm guessing that is probably time for a brake job but this steering noise is driving me nuts. Do you know if this is an actual safety concern or just an annoyance?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by tcmiller3

Thanks for the quick response. From my description does this sound like it could very well be the ISS? How do you get your hands on the GM lube kit and instructions for use? Regarding the brakes, I'm guessing that is probably time for a brake job but this steering noise is driving me nuts. Do you know if this is an actual safety concern or just an annoyance?

Hard to say without further diagnosis/troubleshooting since steering and suspension components like the rack & pinion, tie rods ends and strut mounts can give a clunking sound.

Here is some info on the ISS issue from one of my old posts in this forum.

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Here is a synopsis of the GM TSB. It affected primarily 2001 - 2002 Chevy Monte Carlos and other GM vehicles but the Impala and other "W" bodies such as the Regal are possibly subject to a similar problem.

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. A GM Kent-Moore tool to keep the steering column locked, as stated in the TSB is normally required. 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 latest TSB calls for ISS (intermediate steering shaft) replacement.

[tcmiller3]

I have noticed something odd today that may be a clue as to what this problem is. The temperatures last night got down to 0 and have been in the single digits today. I noticed driving the car in these cold temperatures that the knocking / thumping feel in the steering is completely gone after the car has set in the cold for while and after the car warms up it starts to come back. Would this possible be the lubricant in the ISS being thicker while cold and starting to thin out as the car warms up? Any ideas?

[BNaylor]

Hard to say but have you checked other possibilities like tie rod ends or upper strut mounts. The upper strut mount and load bearing can give off some noises especially with cold weather. On the outer tie rod ends GM had issued a TSB in the past about loose or improperly torqued tie rod nuts at the steering knuckle so check that out.

[tcmiller3]

Thanks for all the help. I used some white lithium grease in a spray can and lubricated the ISS without removing it and my problem is solved. At least for now. I hear that I probably need to plan on doing this every 6 months or so but again, thanks for the time and help.