Clunking sound when steering wheel is straight (2000 Grand Prix)

[SulkierLizard]

I have a 2000 grand prix se 3.1 with about 132k on it. My car vibrates in the front and it's more noticeable when going faster. It sounds clunky and knocking. I noticed if I keep the wheel turned slighty right or left it goes away and rides pretty smooth. When I got my oil changed the other day the guy told me my inner tie rods were worn and quoted me 260 for everything. And me being the cheap ass that I am...well I didn't do it. I have had a suspected warped rotor for a long time and it has been shaking my car a lot when I hit the brakes. Anyway, sorry if this is confusing. I am very tired.

So I changed the rotor on the right side today and checked the inner tie rod end. It seemed fine and didn't move at all. The boot on the outer tie rod was eat up, though. The car doesn't shake like crazy when I hit the brakes, but it still has that annoying clunking feeling that I can feel in my feet.

Do you guys think the warped rotor may have caused the outer or inner tie rod to become worn? Or any other suggestions I could try out?

Thanks guys.

[olopezm]

You should check the tie rod ends (outer tie rod) if these are worn out you will feel the steering or the car will shake as soon as you push the brake, it happened to me a few years ago, I replaced the one that was bad and the problem got solved.

I advise you to replace both at the same time, I had to learn the bad way; after a few months of replacing one I had to replace the other, luckily these aren't hard to replace.

[SulkierLizard]

I didn't feel it when I pressed the brake. I could feel it while driving and when the steering wheel was in a certain position (usually straight on). If I kept it turned just a little bit but not enough to actually change my line of direction it it would disappear and ride smooth. Should I replace the inner and outer tie rod end on both sides or can I just try one at a time?

My time isn't worth anything right now, but if an bad inner tie rod can make a good outer tie rod bad then I'll replace both. I don't know if that's the case, though.

[richtazz]

the steering intermediate shaft (it connects the upper steering column to the rack) is a common cause of a clunk in the steering wheel that is felt at the feet. There is a write-up in the tips and maintenence section of the GP forum about how to remove and re-grease this shaft (which may fix it rather than having to replace it).

[olopezm]

Well you should check what Rich has advise you to, he is one of the LORDS in this forum for sure.

You mentioned "The boot on the outer tie rod was eat up" so I would say replace both outer tie rods first, you should replace both sides at the same time it will save you time and effort. When I did mine I only replaced one side, a few months later I had to replace the other...

[SulkierLizard]

Thanks!

If the outer tie rods doesn't fix it I will try what you guy suggested. Also, it doesn't clunk as I'm turning it. It only does it at certain positions and/or I hit a bump/hole and will continue to clunk until I turn it away.

[richtazz]

With the torn boot, I agree that the outer tie rod needs to be changed as olopezm suggested. It may or may not be the cause of the clunk, (but it will fail quickly if the boot is torn) that's why I mentioned the intermediate shaft. The shaking caused by a warped rotor could cause a tie rod to fail prematurely, but it would have had to have been severely warped for a long time to do so.

[SulkierLizard]

Sadly enough it's been warped for years. Especially at high speeds. I thought for sure it was going to overheat my brakes and cause them to go out. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow!

Thanks guys.