GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the Power Steering System EPS

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you review the Power Steering System General Description and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Power Steering System

2

Verify that a rattle, clunk or shudder noise is present.

Is a rattle, clunk or shudder noise present?

Go to Step 3

System OK

3

Inspect the suspension.

Is the suspension worn?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 4

4

Inspect the power steering gear for proper installation. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

Is the steering gear installation correct?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 15

5

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Inspect the outer tie rods for proper installation.

Are the outer tie rods mounted properly?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 10

6

Inspect the outer tie rods for damage.

Are the outer tie rods worn or binding?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect the intermediate shaft.

Is the intermediate shaft properly mounted?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 12

8

Inspect the intermediate shaft.

Is the intermediate shaft worn?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the column.
  2. Disconnect the negative battery cable and refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .

Is the condition present in the column?

Go to Noise in Steering Column

Go to Step 16

10

Install the outer tie rods correctly. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

11

Replace the outer tie rods. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

12

Install the intermediate shaft correctly. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

13

Replace the worn suspension components.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

14

Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

15

Install the steering gear correctly. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

16

Replace the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 17

--

17

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 3

Rattle, Clunk, or Shudder Noise from the Power Steering System Hydraulic Power Steering

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you review the Power Steering System General Description and perform the necessary inspections?

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms - Power Steering System

2

Verify that a rattle, clunk or shudder noise is present.

Is a rattle, clunk or shudder noise present?

Go to Step 3

System OK

3

Inspect the power steering hoses for proper routing and clearance.

Is the routing or clearance of the power steering hoses incorrect?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 4

4

Inspect the engine drive belt for cracking or excessive wear. Refer to Drive Belt Falls Off and Excessive Wear Diagnosis for the 3.5L engine, or Drive Belt Falls Off and Excessive Wear Diagnosis for the 3.9L engine.

Is the drive belt cracked or excessively worn?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect the power steering pump pulley for damage.

Is the power steering pump pulley damaged?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 6

6

Inspect the power steering pump and the power steering mounting bracket/brace for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement .

Is the power steering pump installation incorrect?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect the power steering gear for the proper installation. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

Is the power steering gear installation incorrect?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 8

8

Inspect for looseness in the inner and outer tie rod ends.

Did you find looseness in the tie rod ends?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 9

9

Inspect the suspension.

Is the suspension worn?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 10

10

Inspect the intermediate shaft.

Is the intermediate shaft worn?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 3

11

Adjust or replace the hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedure(s):

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 19

--

12

Replace the engine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement for the 3.5L engine, or Drive Belt Replacement for the 3.9L engine.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 19

--

13

Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pump Pulley Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 19

--

14

Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 19

--

15

Install the power steering gear correctly. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 19

--

16

Replace the tie rod end. Refer to Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod Replacement - Off Vehicle .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 19

--

17

Replace the worn suspension components. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Suspension General Diagnosis .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 19

--

18

Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 19

--

19

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 3