Chevrolet Impala Steering/Suspension
I have a new 2004 Impala LS with the 3800 engine that has an ongoing problem with the power steering making an annoying hissing noise beyond what is normal. It definitely gets a lot worse and more noticeable when the outside air temperature is over about 40 degrees. It is almost non-existent when the weather is cold. It can heard quite easily at a idle and when driving under 10 MPH. The power steering pump,lines and rack have all been replaced. The dealer doesn't know what else to do and are now saying that they all do it. I am hesitant to believe that and the ones that I have listened to are all quiet.
Anyone else having a similar problem ?
Anyone else having a similar problem ?
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The dealer lubed the IIS (intermediate steering shaft) and the clunking and creaking has gone away.
The total cost was $91.68. The lube kit number was (26098237) and costed 10.61.
There is a plastic splash guard underneath the power steering pump. This guard rubbed against the cooling line which created a small hole in the aluminum. I started hearing a grinding noise while steering and found the problem. $280.00 at the dealership to replace both. The new line is still aluminum, but it has additional guards on it to prevent rubbing.
Turns out she wasnt getting pushed anywhere, her drivers side wheel and hub had seperated and the wheel was sitting sideways in the wheel well. I read your post about wheel bearings and thought of her.
It is located directly beneath the alternator near the back of the engine. You can't even see it! Stick your hand down below the passanger side of the alternator and you can feel it. You will need a flexible tube funnel to get the fluid into it.
As soon as I filled it up, the steering noise was gone. You practically have to be a contortionist to get to it. No wonder Impalas have so many steering problems!
First the ISS; I was familiar with a problem in the steering column because my daughters cavalier also has a clunk in the steering wheel. I bought the car anyway. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of buying the Impala from a used car lot. Not a Chevy dealer. I had them replace the Steering shaft(?) was fine for a couple of weeks, now the problem feels even worse. In addition the traction control system keeps kicking in, the abs light comes on occasionally and the service traction system warning light comes on. I replaced the starter and along with the battery last week because car wouldn't start intermittently at a cost of $520. I am waiting for a paycheck to take the car in for the abs/traction control problem...
Anyway, can anyone tell me where to get recall information - if there is any on the 02, and has anyone had success getting repairs on the list of "defects" that this car seems to have without paying thousands and without the car being under warranty? I bought the car in November '04 -the warranty that I received was up at the end of March- three weeks before the brake problem started. Thanks in advance for any and all help. :confuse: P.S. - despite the headaches - I love this car. I must be crazy.
Anyway, there is a good chance one of the sensors is malfunctioning. That would tell your car's computer that one wheel was moving at a different speed than the other three thus triggering the traction control response and the warning light.
By the way, the bearings as part of the wheel assembly are not limited to Chevy. :shades:
I've lurked here looking for info on my 2002 3.4 Impala steering clunk and was happy to learn that GM has acknowledged the problem and upgraded the ISS part. Armed with this information I took the car to my dealer and told them "I have the ISS clunk". They said it's a known issue and they could put the new version of the ISS in. About $200. Note that the first time I had them check the clunk I was vague in my description and the dealer said nothing was wrong. Being informed and direct was the key to getting a resolution.
Thanks to everyone who shared their information!
MrPlavick
Is this the start of a tie rod problem?
Any recall information? It just went off warrantee (of course).
AND I've had the right upper manifold gasket replaced too-- still under warranty.
Now WHAT can I expect?? Anyone?
Japanese looks better all the time.
I've had Japanese too; had an '89 Celica that had a power antenna that never worked very well (if at all), heater control went out ($400 for the part new; tried to save money buying a used one, which also didn't work), replaced the muffler SEVERAL times (finally got a Midas "lifetime" muffler, which lasted a little longer, but still had it replaced a couple of times on their dime), broken seat belt, rear window defroster, etc. in @ 115k miles. And '89 was the LAST year of that particular body style, which should have meant they had all the bugs worked out.
Also had a '95 Geo Prizm (aka Toyota Corolla); I know we replaced an axle on it before it hit 90k miles, radio knobs fell off, etc.
Not knocking Japanese cars; just saying all cars have their problems. I think a lot also depends on the driver; several folks here have complained about bad brake rotors on their Impalas...I'm still running my original rotors, and only changed pads once so far (just over 90k miles). I'll probably replace my rotors when I replace my pads in a month or so, mainly just because I want to try to upgrade them somewhat over the OEM rotors.
I recently inherited brother in-law 2001 Impala. Only has a little over 47K on it. Have the clunk sound. Took it to dealer earlier this month. I also found a TSB for the ISS. Dealer supposedly ordered part, couldn't fill order. Said there part no longer available. Said revising part and said new TSB released in January this year (I haven't been able to locate it). Said, only thing could do is take out and grease it. I've read others have done this but only to find problem comes back.
So my question? When you say put in "new version" was this an upgrade over the original design? Trying to figure out if dealership just doesn't want to help me.
FWIW I finally took it in yesterday to have someone look at it, and the problem was simply low power steering fluid. I was afraid it was the alternator or a bearing, but topping off the fluid solved the problem. No signs of a leak or anything, so the assumption at this point is that it lost fluid over time and eventually got low enough to make noise.
BTW today marks the 6th birthday of my 2000 Impala; I ordered it in early in 2000, and today was the day it rolled off the assembly line (I took possession 3/23/00). Almost 91k miles at this point, and other than the ISS and intake manifold (and front rotors that required turning early on, but that are still on the car), I've really had no other problems and I'm still happy with the purchase. Looking back I don't think I'd have been as happy with another car as I have been with this one. My oldest daughter (13) is disappointed that I'll have probably sold this car before she turns 16, and she'll likely inherit my wife's 2003 Accord. Maybe we can send her off to college in a 2012 AWD Impala!!
Stay tuned........
Honestly, after much anger and frustration on my part they discovered a bad tire and replaced it--twice. The problem was still there, so they finally listened to the stupid female again and started working on alignment. After three tries it finally is drivable. (It would be fine for a few hundred miles and then be back to the old swerving routine.)
It probably didn't hurt that the GM was nearby when I took the keys in and threw them on the salesman's desk and told him that he was trading me cars for the evening.
Good for you! I'm so tired of having to coach my sisters because they get treated so differently. I can fully relate to your tire issues although it sounds like you may have some problem with suspension or steering components. I hope that isn't the case. My '02 Monte Carlo had two tires that were replaced for being "out of round". I suspect all four were bad but the other two were "within limits" so I was stuck with them. I have little faith in Good Year and I'm pretty sure all '06 Impalas have Good Year tires. Other than the tires that came with my cars, I refuse to buy them. Good Year seems to be resting on their good name. The competition is hungrier and usually a much better tire at a lower price.
1) When turning at about 10 mile an hr or so left or right or when going around curves I feel a quick slip in the steering.
2) It seems that the Impala is not a smooth ride. I feel the bumps in the rode. Anyone else having these's issues.
Also, how many miles do you have on your tires (and what brand/model are they)? If the tires are worn or a cheaper brand, they could account for both of your problems. My 2000 came with Goodyear Eagle GAs (I think), when they wore out I put on a set of sportier Bridgestones which handled much better, but they lowered my gas mileage. This last round I went with a more pedestrian Firestone tire, which do NOT promote spirited driving. The lose traction under modest acceleration from a standstill, and they tend to slide/give more than the sportier Bridgestones. In addition to trying to eke a little more gas mileage out of the car, the tires were also rated at tirerack.com as being very good for wet stopping...since most of my driving is in town commuting back and forth to work, I find it more critical for me to stop quickly in all conditions than to be able to accelerate. I'm not disappointed in the tires, because they're delivering what I bought them to do...but I do miss the handling of the Bridgestones.
If the problem were mechanical, it would likely remain a constant or get worse. Since this condition didn't repeat itself, I doubt a mechanical problem. The only other cause that comes to mind would be a possible glitch in the ABS or traction control programming but that is unlikely in this day and age. Manufacturers test relentlessly to discover any problems prior to releasing a new model or technology to the public. Sometimes they miss things but it is rare. Hopefully, this helps.
The 2006 still does not handle as good as my 2002 Impala but the 2006 has a much softer ride, that I had to get use to.