Thumping/clunking sound

[thomasthekat]

Hi all. I have a nice 2005 LaCrosse that I bought in January 2023. 56k miles. It only seems to have one anomaly that I’m not sure of the issue. When I go around corners, I can feel a slight thumping or clunking in the steering wheel. I have not had the car into a shop for a safety check as of yet. Any ideas?

 

[MelsRegal]

Guess would be sway bar links, upper strut mount, or any number of things.

 

[thomasthekat]

Thanks

 

[MoreQsThanAs]

Thomas,

I had a similar issue with mine ('06 LaCrosse). In addition to those things Mel mentioned it could also be the intermediate steering shaft.

 

[Smith1000]

The steering shaft is a pretty common problem. Do you hear it if you are sitting idle and turn the steering wheel all the way right and left?

 

[thomasthekat]

Thomas,

I had a similar issue with mine ('06 LaCrosse). In addition to those things Mel mentioned it could also be the intermediate steering shaft.

Doing some online research, it seems that the intermediate steering shaft was a common issue with this car. Thank you for adding to this!

 

[thomasthekat]

The steering shaft is a pretty common problem. Do you hear it if you are sitting idle and turn the steering wheel all the way right and left?

Yes I do hear this noise. I have since read that there was indeed an issue with the intermediate shaft. I hate to take it in to a shop, and have them start doing expensive parts replacing without truly knowing the issue. Thank you for your opinion on this. Seems like the shaft is likely the culprit!

 

[Smith1000]

With the hood open, I would have someone turn the steering wheel right and left. While doing so, I would look and listen closely under the hood and also put my hand on the top of each strut just to make sure the noise is not coming from there. If it thumped in a strut, you would feel it resonate through the strut. It may be obvious if the sound is coming from the steering shaft though.

Another possibility may be the strut bearings. I had an '07 Lucerne that the strut bearings would go bad in and kind of pop-not a thumping noise though. Could feel it in the steering wheel and it was noticeable at lower speeds when turning out of the driveway, for example.

 

[G-626916]

With the hood open, I would have someone turn the steering wheel right and left. While doing so, I would look and listen closely under the hood and also put my hand on the top of each strut just to make sure the noise is not coming from there. If it thumped in a strut, you would feel it resonate through the strut. It may be obvious if the sound is coming from the steering shaft though.

Another possibility may be the strut bearings. I had an '07 Lucerne that the strut bearings would go bad in and kind of pop-not a thumping noise though. Could feel it in the steering wheel and it was noticeable at lower speeds when turning out of the driveway, for example.

Thank you for the ideas