[krisgil88]

I've been hearing a thumping/clunking noise when I turn the steering wheel of the Outlook when the car is cold first thing in the morning. I can also feel it (or something) under the driver side floor. I brought it to the dealer but by the time I got there, the car was warmed up enough and the noise was not heard. They asked that I leave it overnight so that they can check for the noise first thing in the morning. I haven't had time to do that yet.
Has anyone experienced this noise? Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be?

 

[khansen30]

What your hearing and fealing is the ABS and other components to a self test. this usualy happens withing the first 50 yards of driving in the morning, or any time the vehicle has sat for more that a few hours. All normal. My guess is you stop noticing it by the time you get to the end of the block. It doesn't have anything to do with the engine warming up. The dealer should know this and tell you this.

I have not noticed it on the steering however and there have been problems with the p.s. pump and needing to ad fluid, but I still think they are all related.

 

[Tim]

I agree with khansen.

krisgil - I experienced the same sensations when I first bought my Outlook. I had associated it with turning too since it always happend when I went to work in the morning and made the left turn off my street. Took it to the dealer and was told it was ABS self-test and it's not related to turning either but to distance and speed. I confirmed it wasn't related to turning when I went straight at the corner - taking a round-about way to work - the next morning. I don't even feel it anymore.

 

[krisgil88]

Please bear with me, but I'm not sure we are talking about the same clunking noise. I have felt and heard the ABS self test, but I don't think this noise is the same. Even while sitting with the car idling, after first having started it, if I were to turn the steering wheel I hear the thumping/popping noise. I've now heard it a few times when I turn the wheel to pull into a parking spot after the car has been running for some time.
I really don't have the time to leave my car at the dealer while they wait to hear the noise that never seems to happen while the car is in their possession. I think we all know how frustrating that can be! I don't know much about cars, but I do believe this is not a normal noise.

 

[Tim]

Sounds like a trip to the dealer is needed. The ABS self-test will only happen once per vehicle start.

Here is link to an Acadia topic with nearly your same problem description - http://www.acadiaforum.net/forum/index.php?topic=5245.0.

 

[krisgil88]

Thanks for the link, Tim. This is exactly the issue I am having! I've printed out the link and will take it to the dealer with me next week!

 

[frustrated]

I also have that annoying noise. This winter they said it was just ice and said they got it all out, 5 miles later it was still there, to have them tell me..."well, he did say there was still some he couldn't get and it will melt and go away". This is one of the many problems I've had. I wish I could say I love my car, but I can't.

 

[krisgil88]

Re: Thumping/Clunking Noise, anyone? UPDATE

I took the car to the dealer armed with the post from the Acadia forum. They told me it was not the steering rack. [/color]
They heard the noise I was referring to and told me the noise was coming from the upper strut mounts. It was verified with TSB # 07-03-08-006B. They said the steering gear assemby is ok and therefore, TSB PIT4632 did not apply.

They also ordered a new intermediate shaft with rubber boot to hopefully take care of the rubbing rubber steering wheel noise.

I'll update once the car is fixed. [/color]

 

[BJOuttie]

Please let me know the outcome. I've had this problem since I purchased my Outlook back in June of 08. When I took it to the dealer, which has been more than great, they've done the exact same thing which is change out the steering rack, or something funny. Let me know the outcome......Thanks.

 

[JPL]

I have the same problem with my 2008 with 18,000 miles, I have taken the car to the dealership 6 times for this issue the first time last April, when I got a smile and the we can't duplicate the problem. Only when I went in armed with about 75 pages from this site and the acadia site concerning this and 4 trips to the dealership concerning this did we get a response. I have also contacted Saturn and they have opened a file, my Saturn rep that is helping with my file is located in South America! (?) I had the service manager ride with me for two days and the car finally made the noise, they had someone else drive the car and they felt the "bump/hesitation" in the steering and decided to look into the steering column. They did find an issue and replaced the column. However I picked up the car at lunch today less than 20 miles after the fix the car did it again, this time not while turning left, but going straight. I know what the ABS self test sounds/feels like and this is a completely different issue.

This almost feels like the car is skipping and the tire is hitting or rubbing something under the car, when it does happen it is at low speeds (under 30) and turning left (except now). The steering becomes hard to turn and it makes that loud thump thump thump thump noise and the car skips. Since they have replaced the column any other suggestions out there?

I am sure they are going to be thrilled in the morning when I call to give them the great news. I am also calling my South American Saturn rep and fill him in as well. He first told me that he could not find any info of steering problems, I informed him I had plenty.

I would suggest if you are having this issue take your car in, if nothing is done to fix the problem, call Saturn customer care and get a case number. I believe this could be a major safety concern for all of us and it needs to be reported to your service department, local dealership, and Saturn customer service.

 

[1917Olds]

The steering should never bind when making a turn. Barring a foreign object lodged among the steering components it sounds like a bad valve in the steering rack. Any popping/cracking noise from the front when turning can be attributed to the strut bearing which is located at the top of the strut upper mount. This bearing can be replaced whithout replaceing the whole strut assembly.

 

[frustrated]

My column was replaced and doing better so far, however while it was there the power steering went and freaked out the service writer when she moved it. I am waiting to take it back......again for more water leaks and now my rear washer fluid comes thru my 4th row dome lights instead of the outside of the rear window.

 

[JPL]

Re: Thumping/Clunking Noise, anyone?Steering/turning issues at low speed

I have the same problem with my 2008 with 18,000 miles, I have taken the car to the dealership 6 times for this issue the first time last April, when I got a smile and the we can't duplicate the problem. Only when I went in armed with about 75 pages from this site and the acadia site concerning this and 4 trips to the dealership concerning this did we get a response. I have also contacted Saturn and they have opened a file, my Saturn rep that is helping with my file is located in South America! (?) I had the service manager ride with me for two days and the car finally made the noise, they had someone else drive the car and they felt the "bump/hesitation" in the steering and decided to look into the steering column. They did find an issue and replaced the column. However I picked up the car at lunch today less than 20 miles after the fix the car did it again, this time not while turning left, but going straight. I know what the ABS self test sounds/feels like and this is a completely different issue.

* update* I took my car back to the dealership yesterday for the service manager to drive it all day and then home last night to try to duplicate the problem, he heard it a little last week while I was driving. Well, the car finally did it with him driving, needless to say he was surprised. It was at low speed, turning in a parking lot. he thought it sounded like the tire dragging something under the car, but then the steering tightened and it would not turn for a second. Once the noise stopped, the steering returned to normal. Once he finally felt it he called GM and explained what he heard and asked for suggestions, they had expanded the vin numbers on an earlier tsb for ABS noise #2133964 mine fell in the new numbers so they reprogrammed the electronic brake control module. My service manager also marked something under the car, so if it does it again he wants to see if that moved. They opened a case with GM tech support to see if anyone else is having this problem, I was like "hello" remember all the pages I gave you? We might not be describing it the same way, but it's the same issue.
I am just thankful that they dupicated it realized it is just not a noise that it driving me crazy, I told one guy the noise did not bother me, it was the fact I could not turn my car that was the problem.

So far they have:
1. lubed the boot
2. replaced the column
3. reprogrammed the electronic brake control module

I will keep you posted on the progress.

 

[krisgil88]

Re: Thumping/Clunking Noise, anyone? UPDATE

I took the car to the dealer armed with the post from the Acadia forum. They told me it was not the steering rack. [/color]
They heard the noise I was referring to and told me the noise was coming from the upper strut mounts. It was verified with TSB # 07-03-08-006B. They said the steering gear assemby is ok and therefore, TSB PIT4632 did not apply.

They also ordered a new intermediate shaft with rubber boot to hopefully take care of the rubbing rubber steering wheel noise.

I'll update once the car is fixed. [/color]

I'm happy to report that the noise is now gone [/color] :blob: