2000 Intrigue steering question?

[tat]

Just bought a 2000 intrigue with 60K, I can feel slight bumps in the wheel. It's usually when driving slow and turning wheel. I know this isn't typical but of course salesman didn't have a clue what I meant., after husband driving it, he didn't either. My old Chevy had 168k and never had this problem. What do you think?

[Renegade2k]

the bumps you feel in the steering wheel are probably bad tie rod ends. First thing I would check, is the inner and outer edges of your front tires. if there is more wear on one edge or another, you obvously have steering or suspension damage. this could just be a slight bend in a tie rod., which just needs an alignment. Or you could have bad tie rod ends like I think you do. If one or both of them are bad they will eventually cause the tires to wear.
to properly diagnose whether your tie rods are bad or not. You will have to have the front wheels off of the ground. grab the tire and wobble the wheel left to right. if you can't obviously feel where the looseness is. have someone watch the outer tie rod ends for play. Inner tie rod ends are rarely bad.
whenever you replace steering or suspesion componets, you must do an alignment.

[kmohr3]

Your problem is the infamous steering shaft "knock" or "clunk". You will hear and/or feel a slight "knock" or "clunk" in the steering when turning, especially at lower speeds. This can be fixed by replacing the steering shaft or applying the repair (lube) kit to the shaft. I just fixed my 2002 several weeks ago, after putting up with it since I bought it. My daughter's 1998 Intrigue does the same thing, worse than mine was, (but she doesn't notice it). I guess it takes someone with astute senses to notice it. It was pretty obvious to me. Also, being a mechanic I notice this kind of thing.

See this thread...... http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=453461

[tat]

Thanks, I think you're right. Now I have to convince them I do have a problem.

[kmohr3]

I don't think it's really a serious problem, but it's just annoying - not what you would expect of an Oldsmobile. Some of the other GM "W" bodies do the same thing. Grand Prix, Impala, etc.

[bkbucs]

I also have this clunking sound when steering, have noticed it for a few months. The question is.....do I NEED to do this repair kit fix? Am I damaging anything if I don't do the fix?

My clunk may also have to do with my tie-rods. The last time I brought the car in for an oil change, I was told I have a bad tie-rod (can't remember if it was the inner or outer, have to check the invoice to see what they wrote..). I'd like to do that myself, can anybody walk me through the replacement? (If instructions for inner as opposed to outer are much different, let me know and I'll look up which one they told me).

Thanks!

[dtownfb]

Before you change the tie rod, you may want to try lubing the steering column. Use Lithium Grease. Get under the steering wheel and slide down the rubber sleeve. Spray the connection with the grease, as much as you can get. Did that to my Trig last summer and it smoothed out the ride quite a bit.

[kmohr3]

buy the kit and follow the instructions before replacing tie rod ends

[m75]

I agree, buy the lube kit from a GM dealer. Mine cost $14.00, plus 32.00 to a friend for 1/2 hr labor to install it. It made a world of difference with regards to the binding and clunking sounds and sensations coming through the steering wheel at slow speeds.

[sick and tired]

I also had that problem with my intrigue but no one could find the problem until recently. Mine were the control arm bushings. You may also want to get someone to check them. When i was driving slowly and going over a bump i would hear a slight clunk. Hope this helps