Front end popping noise during turns

[tosc1077]

I have a 03 z66 which makes a popping noise from the front end during slow speed turns, noise is also heard when going over small bumps at a slow speed as well. The problem presented itself 1-2 weeks after purchase, when taken to the dealer the service manager said " its a problem with the 03's, they all do it...the silverados, the tahoes, the suburbans, they all do it and nothings wrong." . Has anyone else experienced this, is it a problem. It kind of sounds like tin popping.

thanks

Tim

[wbkenney]

I have an 02 Avalanche 2500 that does the same thing. Mine only does it when turn hard left at slow speeds going forward or backward. I haven't taken mine into the dealer yet. I only just noticed it. I bought my used.

[weiser]

I have had my 03 since July and haven't experienced that as of yet

[99ssconv]

Snap/Popping Type Noise Coming from Front of Vehicle (Remove Front Crossmember and Slot Mounting Holes)
2003-2004 Cadillac Escalade

2003-2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe

2003-2004 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL

All 1500 Series (½ Ton) with Two-Wheel Drive

Condition
Some customers may comment about a snap or popping-type noise coming from the front of the vehicle. This condition is most apparent during hard left or right turns at low speeds. Going over bumps while turning may also aid in producing this noise.

Correction
Slot the left side mounting holes on the front crossmember using the procedure listed below.

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in the General Information sub-section of the service manual.
Remove the mounting nuts, bolts and front crossmember from the vehicle.
Clean all the undercoating off the crossmember in the area of the left side mounting holes.

Notice
Use a die grinder or file to cut slots. DO NOT use a torch. Using a torch may compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.


Enlarge the mounting holes on the left side of the crossmember into slots. Cut the slots to the inboard side (toward center of crossmember) of the holes, 2 mm (0.07874 in).
Apply Thread Sealer, P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) to the bolt threads.
Reinstall the crossmember with the bolts and nuts. Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 120 N·m(89 lb ft).

Apply a spray-on black, rubberized undercoating to the crossmember where removed. Overlap the original coating in order to provide an effective corrosion protection.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

A9976*
Pop/Noise, Frame Rail - Repair
0.5 hr


*This is a unique labor operation number for use only with this bulletin. This number will not be published in the Labor Time Guide.

[tosc1077]

Thanks, I will check this out with dealer and schedule to get it fixed.

[red_tx_z71]

I made 2 trips to my dealer for this... the 1st time they performed some sort of maintenance on the steering unit. The noise was better, but not fixed. I took it back and they replaced body mounts (some sort of cushion) on oth sides and the noise is gone.

[miskelle]

I have an 03' Tahoe which is doing the same thing. It has progressively gotten worse over the last few months.

My husband has an 01' Silverado which had done the same thing. First the dealer said it was a problem with the way the steering column was pressure punched in by the machine at the factory. The dealer then apparently re-did whatever the factory did incorrectly and it was fine for a while. Eventually (within 6 mos.) it started doing it again and we took it back in 2 more times. The third time they finally replaced the Rack and Pinion. It has not done it since. I will be taking my Tahoe in and expect that I will have to really stand my ground and fight for repair, especially since I was promised by the dealer I purchased it from that my truck would never have the same problem as my husbands since they were on different chassis.

Oh, and my Mother in Law has a 00' GMC Sierra Z71 and also has this problem. Unfortunately she bought it used and no extended warranty. Will GM cover that repair?

[TMoe2004]

Originally Posted by tosc1077

I have a 03 z66 which makes a popping noise from the front end during slow speed turns, noise is also heard when going over small bumps at a slow speed as well. The problem presented itself 1-2 weeks after purchase, when taken to the dealer the service manager said " its a problem with the 03's, they all do it...the silverados, the tahoes, the suburbans, they all do it and nothings wrong." . Has anyone else experienced this, is it a problem. It kind of sounds like tin popping.

thanks

Tim

I have a 2003 Tahoe Z71 (purchased Oct '02) It started this noise about June '04. Took it the dealer, they said the factory did not have a grease fitting on the intermediate shaft (steering). According to GM the grease used during assembly breaksdown due to heat under the hood. They greased it and problem went away for approx. 2-months. Now its back and worse, you feel a tapping on the steering wheel, almost like something is loose with the lug nights or steering. Especially when driving slow while turning a corner with cracks or bumps in the pavement. Called Dealer again, he said its a known problem (NOW???) and that the part is on National Backorder??? They expect it to be available for customer special order in January '05. Meantime, they greased the intermediate shaft again. Evidently this is a problem for Yukon, Avalanche, Tahoe and I am sure others. They call it a service bulletin (how convenient) and not a recall??? I am especially frustrated as I had to tell them about my problem when they already knew it existed. Now they tell me the part is backordered. FYI, all my info on this is current as I just got my Tahoe back from the dealer today!! 11/23/2004 One more point, my Tahoe has 31,000 miles and warranty expires at 36,000. I wonder how many more owners are being hoodwinked by GM with this problem. The more I talk to people, the more of them I find are experiencing the same problem. My current status is GM will call me again on 12/19/04 to determine part availability from the National Backlog and when I can have this warranty work completed!! Please pass this on as others, I am confident have this same problem. One more note, Service Manager at Dealership has an Avalanche (2 mos. old) same problem, he is also awaiting the backordered part????? Funny, how you have a problem and its referred to as a service bulletin with distribution only to dealers and not the owner????. Glad it happened before 36,000 miles. Wonder how many more service bulletins, so to speak exist for the vehicle that GM conveniently fails to mention until after warranty!!!

[TMoe2004]

Originally Posted by miskelle

I have an 03' Tahoe which is doing the same thing. It has progressively gotten worse over the last few months.

My husband has an 01' Silverado which had done the same thing. First the dealer said it was a problem with the way the steering column was pressure punched in by the machine at the factory. The dealer then apparently re-did whatever the factory did incorrectly and it was fine for a while. Eventually (within 6 mos.) it started doing it again and we took it back in 2 more times. The third time they finally replaced the Rack and Pinion. It has not done it since. I will be taking my Tahoe in and expect that I will have to really stand my ground and fight for repair, especially since I was promised by the dealer I purchased it from that my truck would never have the same problem as my husbands since they were on different chassis.

Oh, and my Mother in Law has a 00' GMC Sierra Z71 and also has this problem. Unfortunately she bought it used and no extended warranty. Will GM cover that repair?

I have a 2003 Tahoe Z71 (purchased Oct '02) It started this noise about June '04. Took it the dealer, they said the factory did not have a grease fitting on the intermediate shaft (steering). According to GM the grease used during assembly breaksdown due to heat under the hood. They greased it and problem went away for approx. 2-months. Now its back and worse, you feel a tapping on the steering wheel, almost like something is loose with the lug nights or steering. Especially when driving slow while turning a corner with cracks or bumps in the pavement. Called Dealer again, he said its a known problem (NOW???) and that the part is on National Backorder??? They expect it to be available for customer special order in January '05. Meantime, they greased the intermediate shaft again. Evidently this is a problem for Yukon, Avalanche, Tahoe and I am sure others. They call it a service bulletin (how convenient) and not a recall??? I am especially frustrated as I had to tell them about my problem when they already knew it existed. Now they tell me the part is backordered. FYI, all my info on this is current as I just got my Tahoe back from the dealer today!! 11/23/2004 One more point, my Tahoe has 31,000 miles and warranty expires at 36,000. I wonder how many more owners are being hoodwinked by GM with this problem. The more I talk to people, the more of them I find are experiencing the same problem. My current status is GM will call me again on 12/19/04 to determine part availability from the National Backlog and when I can have this warranty work completed!! Please pass this on as others, I am confident have this same problem. One more note, Service Manager at Dealership has an Avalanche (2 mos. old) same problem, he is also awaiting the backordered part????? Funny, how you have a problem and its referred to as a service bulletin with distribution only to dealers and not the owner????. Glad it happened before 36,000 miles. Wonder how many more service bulletins, so to speak exist for the vehicle that GM conveniently fails to mention until after warranty!!!

[tsdxl]

It's the steering shaft that is on national backorder, that will fix it. At least till it fails again.

[schmidtrealty]

I have a 2004 Avalanche Z66 that I got in Jan. 04. It just hit the 36,000 mile mark. I have taken it to the dealer 7 times for this problem. I finally filed a claim with the BBB against GM. They have slotted the crossmember, greased fittings, greased the intermediate steering shaft, and a couple of times said the problem needs to get worse. When they greased the steering shaft, this fixed another problem that was felt more through the steering than the actual popping noise in the front left. The problem still exists.

[curtisloos]

I also have an 03 z66. What you described is a lot like what I experienced. I ended up taking my truck in to the dealer and they replace the gear box as well as the intermediate steering shaft. This was several months ago and at that time these parts were on national back order with GM. It fixed the popping during slow speed turns left or right.

Originally Posted by tosc1077

I have a 03 z66 which makes a popping noise from the front end during slow speed turns, noise is also heard when going over small bumps at a slow speed as well. The problem presented itself 1-2 weeks after purchase, when taken to the dealer the service manager said " its a problem with the 03's, they all do it...the silverados, the tahoes, the suburbans, they all do it and nothings wrong." . Has anyone else experienced this, is it a problem. It kind of sounds like tin popping.

thanks

Tim

[wmcarthur]

I have on 05 Avalanche Z-71 4wd that I experienced the popping noises at sharp slow speed turns etc. After several trips to the Dealer, a certified letter to GM and threats with a Lemon Law Attorney the Factory came up with a whole new set of Body Mounts that replaces the shims etc. This is supposed to be a brand new fix. So far that has finally solved the problem. But we will see, the rest of you may wish to look into this. They don't want to do it since it is an all day repair.

By the way I had the shims etc. previously installed and nothing worked til now, and they took all of those out when they installed the new mounts. I crawled under the vehcle upon getting it back to be sure that these are different and they are.
The new G.M. Part Is GM#15772884
Mc

[Cybrjaz]

But the question remains . . . Is it a serious problem or just an annoyance?