Few questions about the venture

[serial]

I've got an '03 venture.

Is it normal for the venture tranny to feel somewhat rough? I find that, for example, when I let off on the gas sometimes and then reapply there is a slight clunk... or maybe I should consider it more rough shifting. Anyways... anyone have any experience with this? It happens at other times but not always and I don't 'think' it's serious. Tranny fluid looks good and isn't down.

Also... the steering wheel whines, of course it must be the power steering but it just doesn't feel like it, seems like it's coming right from the steering column. It's a very quiet whine, I'm easily annoyed and this doesn't really annoy me... would just like to know what to check.

This is the first Chev I've owned in about 10 years and the crap I read on here scares me just a little! But even before I read this forum I had a bad feeling about my purchase.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by serial

I've got an '03 venture.



Also... the steering wheel whines, of course it must be the power steering but it just doesn't feel like it, seems like it's coming right from the steering column. It's a very quiet whine, I'm easily annoyed and this doesn't really annoy me... would just like to know what to check.

The first thing I'd check is the power steering fluid. The only problem is actually getting to it to check it as it's buried in the engine compartment. I had a similar problem last year after changing my egr valve and cam position sensor. I guess when I moved the pump, some fluid must've came out as when I checked it,it was almost empty.

[JoulesWinfield]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

The first thing I'd check is the power steering fluid. The only problem is actually getting to it to check it as it's buried in the engine compartment. I had a similar problem last year after changing my egr valve and cam position sensor. I guess when I moved the pump, some fluid must've came out as when I checked it,it was almost empty.

-Love the sig.

Anyways that would be my first check, is the fluid.

In regards to the clunk when letting off then reapplying the throttle, its either the torque converter reengaging or a motor mount. So check the motor mounts. With rear drives we push on the throttle with one foot on the brake and you can see the engine rock. With a front drive could do that with a brave assistant watching the engine.

[jrdwyer]

Our 2001 Olds Silo makes the same ocassional tranny clunk after letting off the gas and then reapplying. Our van's tranny was rebuilt under warranty in 2003. Looking at the parts list, the torque converter that was put in was remanufacturerd. My guess is that this is considered normal (although sloppy by modern comparison).

A failing motor mount is possible for a late model vehicle, but not likely. When our old 88 Delta 88 had bad motor mounts, you could easily tell because the motor would shift or thunk every time you gave it a lot of torque. It is easy to check this, just floor it from a standstill and listen for the thunk.

Our steering wheel makes a slight rubbing sound that you notice when going slow on turns. My wife says it has been doing this since new. I believe it is just a simple rubbing materials issue. I will try to identify it and report back.

[serial]

Thanks people. The ps fluid has been checked... isn't the problem.

I'll check the motor mounts!