SQUEEK OR GROAN IN STEERING COLUMN

[Larry Winkler]

I have two GM cars, 1999 Pontiac GrandAm (100,000mi) and a 2002 Sunfire
(35,000mi).

The GrandAm steering column started making the noise about 10,000mi ago.
The Sunfire started making the identical noise last week. There is no
binding in either steering column.

The noise is barely audible above the road noise when driving and occurs
when moving or stopped and even if the engine is off. It occurs as the
steering wheel is being turned and sounds similar to the "whirring"
sound made by the seat belt retractor as to seat belt is pulled when
putting it on.

Anyone have a similar problem? What is the cause and how is it fixed?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TIA,

Larry

[Steve Mackie]

Post by Larry Winkler
The noise is barely audible above the road noise when driving and occurs
when moving or stopped and even if the engine is off. It occurs as the
steering wheel is being turned and sounds similar to the "whirring"
sound made by the seat belt retractor as to seat belt is pulled when
putting it on.

So is it a squeek, groan or whir?

There was a recall on the 99 grand ams for improperly torqued steering wheel
nut.

There is a TSB for the 2002 Sunfire that says customers complain of a
rattle/creak/popping noise from front of vehicle when turning. The solution
is to replace both front stabilizer shaft insulator bushings.

There is also a TSB for the Sunfire stating a clunking noise coming from the
steering column, solution being to grease the intermediate steering shaft.

Or it could just be the clockspring assembly for the airbag/horn making
noise, which is pretty common.

Steve

[Larry Winkler]

Post by Steve Mackie

Post by Larry Winkler
The noise is barely audible above the road noise when driving and occurs
when moving or stopped and even if the engine is off. It occurs as the
steering wheel is being turned and sounds similar to the "whirring"
sound made by the seat belt retractor as to seat belt is pulled when
putting it on.

So is it a squeek, groan or whir?
There was a recall on the 99 grand ams for improperly torqued steering wheel
nut.
There is a TSB for the 2002 Sunfire that says customers complain of a
rattle/creak/popping noise from front of vehicle when turning. The solution
is to replace both front stabilizer shaft insulator bushings.
There is also a TSB for the Sunfire stating a clunking noise coming from the
steering column, solution being to grease the intermediate steering shaft.
Or it could just be the clockspring assembly for the airbag/horn making
noise, which is pretty common.
Steve

It is a whir.