'09 Outlook. Steering fixed at 47k, now broken again!

Te clunking is usually a result of the bushings wearing out. They are replaceable, but I believe the rack has to come out to do it. Following copy and paste is just part of some comments posted by a veteran GM suspension/steering master tech on another forum (Traverse) which uses the same components.

the loud/hard clunking noise heard on model years 2010 & prior is due to steering gear mount bushings. the replacement bushings are made of an updated compound. service procedure requires r&r of steering rack/pinion to replace. as bad as the noise can sound, it does not present any safety/operational issues in my opinion.

[quote a uthor=vwtodd link=topic=3977.msg18833#msg18833 date=1406070308]
I cannot believe that it is broken again. On top of all the other things that have broken, this is insane.[/quote]

The steering rack mount bushings caused the clunking after 35k miles on my '09 Outlook. How many miles are on the replaced steering rack? When was it installed?

XRDreamliner said:

The steering rack mount bushings caused the clunking after 35k miles on my '09 Outlook. How many miles are on the replaced steering rack? When was it installed?

Click to expand...

Rack was installed around 49k, car now has 106k, so about 57k on new rack.

ls973800 said:

Te clunking is usually a result of the bushings wearing out. They are replaceable, but I believe the rack has to come out to do it. Following copy and paste is just part of some comments posted by a veteran GM suspension/steering master tech on another forum (Traverse) which uses the same components.

the loud/hard clunking noise heard on model years 2010 & prior is due to steering gear mount bushings. the replacement bushings are made of an updated compound. service procedure requires r&r of steering rack/pinion to replace. as bad as the noise can sound, it does not present any safety/operational issues in my opinion.

Click to expand...

Will any further damage occur - or is it a safety issue - to live with the clunk and not replace the bushings?

vwtodd said:

Will any further damage occur - or is it a safety issue - to live with the clunk and not replace the bushings?

Click to expand...

Did you read the whole quote I posted from the GM suspension/steering tech? I believe his expert opinion was given near the end of the posted information

as bad as the noise can sound, it does not present any safety/operational issues in my opinion.

ls973800 said:

Did you read the whole quote I posted from the GM suspension/steering tech? I believe his expert opinion was given near the end of the posted information

as bad as the noise can sound, it does not present any safety/operational issues in my opinion.

Click to expand...

You are correct - I did not see the full quote. Thanks.

someone local is selling a 2007 xr 4 wheel drive w 130k miles for only 8k..she was asking 11 but brought it down to 8 due to her buying a newer car. Shes getting rid of it cause its a gas hauler and she drives 40 miles per way...Is this a good deal?

Karek Manwar said:

someone local is selling a 2007 xr 4 wheel drive w 130k miles for only 8k..she was asking 11 but brought it down to 8 due to her buying a newer car. Shes getting rid of it cause its a gas hauler and she drives 40 miles per way...Is this a good deal?

Click to expand...

2007s were prone to sunroof issues - I would ask for a carfax report. Test drive it, my '09 kbb's for 18k, but then again I've only got 65k miles on it, and only problem I know I have is the low speed steering clunk that I've had for about 2 years now. My extended warranty company wouldn't cover a "noise" to replace the necessary bushings, so I live with it.

It's really up to you - but definitely get a carfax report.