Both of my 2001 bonnies have this noise, one is much louder than the other.
It is on the PS, it makes a bongity bong sound when you hit bumps. The bigger the bump the louder the bong.
Almost like its in or under the dash. It seems to be right in the ps foot well area.
Sounds like a refrigerator compressor that is being shaken. If you have ever moved a fridge.
A metallic bongity bong sound.
Speed doesn't affect the noise except its duration is shorter due to less severe impact to the vehicle at higher speed.

I have also heard the same sound on a friends 03 LeSabre.

The loudest car specs: 01 Bonneville sle,
200k, all new front suspension, struts, strut mounts, coil seats, lower control arms,
sway bar bushings-end and mount, complete rack, outer tie rods, steering intermediate shaft
ds axle shaft, both wheel hubs, new front motor/ trans mount, brake calipers and pins are good.
New transmission also. Tires & rims good.
Nothing loose or rattling in the belt area, ps alt ac idlers tensioner water pump etc.
All interior hvac controls work fine.
Parts waiting to be installed, ps axle shaft, frame bushings.
The bushings looked good when I had the trans out, axle too.
This car seems to transfer a lot of road bumps compared to the other car. Hence frame bushings...?
Ps axle just because it hasn't been replaced yet.

The quieter car specs: 01 Bonneville sle,
130k, new front struts, intermediate shaft, wheel hubs, sway bar end links, trans/motor mount,
brakes good, belt area good tires & rims good

Any ideas? Please..
I'm running out of things to replace. Really... well, I do need to find the culprit of my P0442 evap small leak, and both have security issues.

I could make a recording of the sound...

_________________
Never own a black car if you want it to look clean, never own a white car if you want it to look clean.

First thing I would check would be the condition of the subframe bushings and/or rust situation. These vehicles are notorious for the rear subframe mounts (right around the front footwell location) rusting out at the top and frankly once this happens the rear of the subframe is hardly supported. Therefore the subframe itself actually shifts and makes noises as you hit bumps, turn etc.

There are two main options:
cut out corroded metal and weld new mount plates on the subframe.
Buy a subframe from a junkyard source (don't bother with a northern location, focus on southern junkyards) and have it shipped.

A good mechanic, with a lift, could have it replaced in a couple hours. If it's a driveway a job it can be done in a day. That's what I did.

The sub frame and the body were actually was good in that area, all 4 corners. When I replaced the transmission I had the frame out and painted it. The bushings looked good but I am doing them anyways. I will see tonight if that is it.

Any other ideas it could be?

_________________
Never own a black car if you want it to look clean, never own a white car if you want it to look clean.

Can you get this noise on video?

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

I will try tomorrow to capture the noise.
Update: installed new frame bushings. The noise seemed to go away, for about 30 minutes...
Seems quieter though. Same thing happened when I pulled the frame for the trans replacement.
It also got a new cat when I did the tranny. Forgot to mention that. It had a melt down years ago from a bad ignition control module.
Finally replaced it. I had been using the spark plug anti-fouler for years. Would only get that o2 code about once a year with it.
Not the source of the bonging though.

_________________
Never own a black car if you want it to look clean, never own a white car if you want it to look clean.

Check the intermediate steering shaft.

_________________
2003 Bonneville SSEi

My car makes like a squeak/bong/chirp kind of sound every so often. It's actually the rear bumper. I have to readjust it every so often. Despite being in the back of the car, the noise sounds like it's coming from the front.

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

I have same issue with my 2001 SE.

Old post yes, Can anyone help on this?
Still have the cars, Want to sell one, still the same noise.
It will be hard to convince someone that noise is nothing. Even though its been nothing for years now.

_________________
Never own a black car if you want it to look clean, never own a white car if you want it to look clean.