steering feels loose 98 GT

[bcampbell]

Ok, my car feels like the front tires are going to come out from under me when I'm driving anywhere, especially when I hit bumps(and i live in missouri-if that tells you anything). I've been taking it back to the dealership where my extended warranty is now up. So far, they replaced a broken sway bar,and a bolt missing from the subframe. This is after the 6th time of me taking it there. They've also replaced the waterpump twice, the oilpan, and the proportioner valve which is the brake line(they told me I needed a $200 brake job)but I found the leak my self and the brakes and rotors were fine. I can still smell antifreeze, the car gets up to 210 if I sit in line at a drive thru, and the power steering is as noisy as a ford. (they said that's normal)
When I turn left or right(for example, the on or off ramp to the highway), I can't hardly turn it very far without this noise and I can tell it doesn't want to be turning. I also hear a clicking but really loud more like a popping clicking sound when I back out of my garage or first take off from a dead stop.
These are my major problems. I have minor ones too. I emailed one of these free lemon law attorneys and told them my issues, but apparently 17 pages of faxed invoices weren't enough for them to take the case.
Before I completely lose my mind, because the trade in value after 1year and 1month has gone down about $5000, can anyone tell me what the hell to do? I would be forever greatful!!!!!!!!

[kustomkid54]

I used to have a friend that liked to take his car to muffler shops. He'd get a "free muffler inspec." When they put it in the air. He'd talk to them and check out his car at the same time. I had a bad gear box, made the car feel like it wouldn't turn. When I had it up at dealer (not muffler shop). I looked around. Found it myself and had them change it out.
Good luck.

[bcampbell]

thanks

[bcampbell]

i'm not spending any more (major) money on it so should i trade it in and take a loss or try to make the dealership make it right or give me another car?

[93cobra]

Sounds like the dealer doesn't want to spend the time or money on the car.If these issues with your car were the same one he was suppose to fix under the warranty take your documentation to small claims court and sue the dealer. Have a reputable service facility inspect and estimate. It may cost a little but it it will help alot in court

[richtazz]

check with another GM dealer to see if your car may be covered under the recall for many 96-99 GM racks that had faulty lower pinion bearings in the Rack. IF your car is covered under the recall, take it back to the dealer you bought it at and make them fix it for free, and then stuff the recall notice up their lazy service writers ass.

[bcampbell]

Thanks guys! I think they think I'm just a stupid blonde girl who won't know any better.

[GTP Dad]

The key here is that you stand up for yourself. The dealer doesn't want to put time and money into this car for you since he feels that you will probably never buy from him again given the way he has treated you. Contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint against this jerk. If he is treating you this way then other consumers need to be warned about him. Also, the BBB may be able to help you get the problems resolved. PS. Just because you are a girl and blonde doesn't mean he has the right to walk all over you! From your posts you sound pretty car smart to me!

[deb0704us]

Hi bcampbell! I'm glad to hear there is another girl with a 1998 GP GT out there. I have one too! There are lots of bad roads here in IL, and I think my car needs new struts. I'll be taking it in soon. I spent $1600 this past spring (which I am still paying off), getting several things repaired. Now that I've found automotiveforums.com, I realize some of those things I probably could have fixed or troubleshooted myself, but I didn't even know what to look for at the time. Now besides needing struts there are new annoyances such as the rear-view mirror is not working right, the right hand radio controls on steering wheel do not light up, a door panel in the back is coming loose, the windshield fogs up as soon as I turn the car on, and there was a smoke smell after I turned the car off for awhile, but it seems to have stopped now. Not sure if oil was dripping onto something or antifreeze. Looked all over and saw nothing dripping. One day the "low coolant" light went on. Hubby checked it and said it was not low. And it is time for routine oil change now. Never ends.

[93cobra]

If your windows steamed up as soon as you started it good chance your heater core is on its way out. Keep a close eye on the coolant you wouldn't like the bill for a head gasket replacement or worse.

[bcampbell]

I really like this site, everyone is very helpful. I have finally had the customer service lady return my call, and she wassssss trying to help me,....but now it appears they will actually have to do something to it, and she thinks i'm going to buy the parts and have them put them on for free....WRONG... so now I'm waiting for another return call. And I think I have a cracked head gasket because I still smell antifreeze outside the car and it gets over 210, and I've had 2 new water pumps, and the gasket resealed twice.... but I have the engine for life warranty on it.... I could go on and on. I'm looking into the lemon laws again.

[bcampbell]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

The key here is that you stand up for yourself. The dealer doesn't want to put time and money into this car for you since he feels that you will probably never buy from him again given the way he has treated you. Contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint against this jerk. If he is treating you this way then other consumers need to be warned about him. Also, the BBB may be able to help you get the problems resolved. PS. Just because you are a girl and blonde doesn't mean he has the right to walk all over you! From your posts you sound pretty car smart to me!

Thanks! Between my Dad, my brother and my boyfriend, and my own curiosity (and previous screwovers) I do know a little bit. Just not enough and if I could figure out what it really is that's wrong with my car.......believe me, I'm ready to do whatever I have to do. I have to anyway, because I have a car pmt. on a lemon........so I gotta do something!