Loud Bang when turnning on Reverse

[Rolm]

When I am reversing and when I turn the stering wheel sharp, there is a loud bang comming from the front right rear. Everthing else seems to be ok the car drives straight and smooth. Any thoughts

[notimprezed]

Im not sure what you mean when you say "front right rear". Is this a steering problem? You may want to have the lower pinion bearing checked.

[Rolm]

Originally Posted by notimprezed

Im not sure what you mean when you say "front right rear". Is this a steering problem? You may want to have the lower pinion bearing checked.

I meant right front. You may have a point. I replaced the lower pinion bearing abought 3 years ago and if I can remember correctly the noise started right after that, but back then it was a quite bang now it is very loud, but only when I reverse. Just to make sure we are talking the same thing Is the pinion bearing the same as the "wheel bearing assembly" or the wheel bearing Hub.

[notimprezed]

No the lower pinion bearing and wheel bearing are not the same. It is part of the rack and pinion steering. There was a recall on the lower pinion bearing on 1998 models, not sure what year you have but it might be something to look into.

[Rolm]

Originally Posted by notimprezed

No the lower pinion bearing and wheel bearing are not the same. It is part of the rack and pinion steering. There was a recall on the lower pinion bearing on 1998 models, not sure what year you have but it might be something to look into.

I have the 1999 Intrigue, Do you know were I can see a Pic of the lower pinoin bearing, all I can see is that the rack nd pinion steering has a ball joint at the end and that seems very solid. I did ask a mechanic abought a lower pinion bearing he was confused, he said only rear drive cars had a pinion bearing. as i said I need a pic. Thanks

[notimprezed]

This is the recall, but it only affected 1998 models. Do you feel anything in the steering when this happens? If not look into the suspension(struts, mounts, swaybar, links). Maybe a bad strut mount or swaybar link is the culprit. My 98 had a knocking in the steering and the dealer greased something, charged me $80 and it went away(the first place wanted to replace the whole unit and charge me $700). My 2000 has a slight knock when doing parking lot manauvers but I havent investigated it much since its barely noticable. Its hard to say, mounts or links would be my next guess, after that Im outta ideas.

1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Recall Date: 12/11/2003

Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence:
IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Potential Units Affected: 750283

Notes: OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 03062

[kmohr3]

As far as the lower pinion bearing for the steering rack. It is not even shown in the Helm manual or Alldata. Also there are no references or procedure to replace it. The only thing I see is a procedure to adjust the bearing pre-load. I would guess that if this is really the problem then replacement of the rack would be necessary. (There may be a procedure in the recall information that the technicians get).

Also, you may be confusing your tech when you say 'pinion bearing'. He is probably thinking final drive pinion bearings in the differential.

One other possibility - maybe a cv joint is making a pop or clunk when the wheels are turned sharp enough.

[Rolm]

Originally Posted by kmohr3

As far as the lower pinion bearing for the steering rack. It is not even shown in the Helm manual or Alldata. Also there are no references or procedure to replace it. The only thing I see is a procedure to adjust the bearing pre-load. I would guess that if this is really the problem then replacement of the rack would be necessary. (There may be a procedure in the recall information that the technicians get).

Also, you may be confusing your tech when you say 'pinion bearing'. He is probably thinking final drive pinion bearings in the differential.

One other possibility - maybe a cv joint is making a pop or clunk when the wheels are turned sharp enough.

I think you have hit it the problem on the on the head. You may be correct when you stated a CV joint. The noise started just after I replaced the wheel bearing on the same side. I used and impact wrench whe removing the large nut that holds the wheel hub assembly. The only reason I did not think that it was the cv it that if it was damager that I should feel viabrations at all speeds. I just may go to our local Bone Yard a buy a used cv and give it a try.

[Rolm]

I moved to a new GM dealer as a sales person. I asked one of the front-end guys abought my problem. He asked one question " Did I install an aftermaket wheel bearing assembly" and I did he said most of the after market stuff is crap and the have been noticing all kinds of stuff happening. I will go to the bone yard and look a wheel bearing and give it a try.