hey there everyone. the question i have is, whenever i go over a speed bump i hear a clunking noise coming the front end. the dealer has replaced the struts but the noise is still there. has anyone else had this problem.

If you have an 06 then it could be your steering column. I am not sure if this affected other years or not. I have a noise like that but it only shows up when it is about 40 or below and have been unable to get that fixed after several attempts, it is now out of warranty so I will live with it.

mine is an 07 and the steering column has been done

Might want to check your wiring, windshield washer reservoir, fuse box, etc. Might be something a little loose.

mine is an 07 and the steering column has been done

Including replacement of the Intermediate Shaft? Had my 06 in for that this time last year. They still hadn't worked out all the bugs before the 07 went into production.

Get them to check the sway bar bushings and end links. Most dealers are familiar with this issue.

thanks for all the help. i'll have my sway bar bushings looked at this week

Geez I mentioned this in December and they told me it was because it was COLD outside. I go over bumps now and the front end sounds like it is falling apart. If the tell me again it is because it is a low axled car I'm going to freak out.

I have an o6 and had that clunk. The dealer fixed it and after a week it came back-but only when it is wet. If it rains or after I wash the car, I have a loud clunk when I hit a bump. But when it dries, the noise goes completely away. Very wierd.

I have had the links replaced four times under warranty ( 160 KM ). now have 192,000, replaced again with new struts and sway bar bushings, it was quiet for about a week. NOTE to GM. this will be the LAST vehicle I will ever purchase from you. When you consider I have purchased or leased 10 vehicles in fifteen years, your loss.

I have had the links replaced four times under warranty ( 160 KM ). now have 192,000, replaced again with new struts and sway bar bushings, it was quiet for about a week. NOTE to GM. this will be the LAST vehicle I will ever purchase from you. When you consider I have purchased or leased 10 vehicles in fifteen years, your loss.

Sounds like they made it right under warranty whenever you brought it in. Do you want them to give you a new Cadillac?

Is this usually something covered under GM's Bumper-To-Bumper warranty? I have an '06 I purchased about 4 months ago and mine does the same exact thing.

No I just would like it to stay fixed. I had the links replaced again at 176,000, then again with the struts and sway bar bushings at 190,000.

Yeah, my '06 had this problem too. The sway bar links were replaced, and that took care of it for about a month. Then they replaced leaking struts, and it's been fine since. All done under warranty. You have to cut them some slack on the first model years of cars...usually those have more issues because they are new. After a year or so, they usually get some of the kinks worked out. Not to say you can't get a good first model year car, or a bad car a few year down the road either....

I had this noise about 1 year ago and they replaced the column and it was all better until a few weeks ago, it came back. i took it in and now they say its the I-beam shaft that links the column to the steering box. They are checking to see if it is a warranty /recall and they will get back to me. ill find out next week.

Well they say it is the intermediate shaft in the steering that is making the noise but it is not a covered repair, total cost to fix is almost $500.00. I am getting a diagram of this and will try to fix it myself.
Has anyone else had this shaft problem, I will get under it and check the swaybar links and look at the strut/mounts, to see if maybe they were wrong in thei diagnosis.

I had the links replaced again at 176,000, then again with the struts and sway bar bushings at 190,000.

Yea, those things should last at least 500,000 miles. :roll:

Solved my front end noise. After having the links replaced a total of six times, bushings twice and struts once, the noise started again. Removed the front tires and found upper links connections loose. Removed the nut with the self contained lock washer, found the lock part worn flat. Went to Brofasco Fastners, they looked at it and said it was a cheap grade three, supplied me with grade eight nuts and proper lock washers. Replaced all four for less than $10.00. It has been silent now for over a month

Solved my front end noise. After having the links replaced a total of six times, bushings twice and struts once, the noise started again. Removed the front tires and found upper links connections loose. Removed the nut with the self contained lock washer, found the lock part worn flat. Went to Brofasco Fastners, they looked at it and said it was a cheap grade three, supplied me with grade eight nuts and proper lock washers. Replaced all four for less than $10.00. It has been silent now for over a month

Do you know/have the bolt & thread size handy? I think that I may have the same issue. I have poly greasable sway bar bushings, my end links were replaced twice and they did the two struts a couple of months ago: still clunking, both sides. Next time I'm replacing the end links with Moog parts.

Yves

I don't think moog makes them yet.
12 mm course thread, poly lock nut and lock washer. The nut is 19mm and you will need a 17mm flat wrench for the other side

I don't think moog makes them yet.
12 mm course thread, poly lock nut and lock washer. The nut is 19mm and you will need a 17mm flat wrench for the other side

What length is the bolt?

Moog #: K750012 for the HHR

Yves

To determine if it is the same problem, turn the wheel full right to check the left wheel. Rock the car by the door frame and see if the upper link moves. When the locknut strips it will elogate the mounting on the strut, thus the clunking noise. Although mine was elogated, by using the poly lock nut and "proper" lock washer, there is no movement or noise. Either that or replace the strut and link again with new grade 8 hardware, which G.M. should have used in the first place. It probably saved them $ 5.00 per car.

Ted

What, the bolt on the link pin, long enough. the problem isn't the link pins, its the cheap hardware they use.

Ted

Ha, I get it; of course you only replaced the nut, because the bolt is part of the link itself. :thumb:

I'm only thinking about Moog link replacement for when the lower link joint goes bad next time. That's always been the problem with mine, except that now I can hear clunking and it's not the lower joint; that's why I think that it may be the top bolt moving.

I'm at 63000 km, and I already went through 3 end links, 2 struts, one set of bushings and one wheel bearing; and so far most GM replacement parts fail faster than the previous ones.

I mean, I don't expect these things to last forever, but they did on my last 3 previous cars....for well over 200000 Km.

Yves

I'am at 196,000 km. My wife's Venture Van has over 200,000 km and nothing has been replaced.

Ted

anybody take any photos of where this is happening, or a video?

No photo's. If you look just inside at the top of the tire you will see where the link connects to the strut. This is where the lock nut has been failing.

Ted

I am also hearing a noise from my 06'. My husband thinks it may be the CV joints because you only hear/feel it if you are turning to the right? I only have about 45,000 on her, is this normal?:(

I have almost 198,000 km on mine, the only problem i have had is front end noise while going over bumps and ruts in the road. I have not heard of anyone having cv problems. It is possible though.

Ted

Has anybody tried to lube the intermediate shaft? I found this while doing more research into this problem:

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18106

Mike

Seems to me this is not a new problem:(

I have a 08 with 140000km and I'm bringing it in tomorow for what seems to be the same ''CLUNK'' ing noise.

Was just talking about it earlier on.