New Aurora Maintenance Challenges (UPDATES)

[RJGill84]

When I bought the Aurora I knew it had a few minor issues - fuel sender, passenger wheel hub/bearing, and it seems the power steering is bad as well. It also looks like they replaced the stock exhaust...seems to have only been from the mufflers back though. They actually sawed off the tips of the original exhaust and welded them to the round tailpipes to keep the original shape. Looks kinda ghetto bc you can see straight through them. I'll have to inspect more carefully to see what type it is...hopefully it's not more restrictive or reducing the exhaust sound comapred to OEM.

As far as the power steering goes; I drained the reservoir and put new fluid in, then turned it lock to lock several times, drained out some more, and replaced. I did that several times. The fluid was a disgusting blackish brown. It quieted it down some for a couple of days, but it's back to it's loud groaning. Hopefully a new pump solves it.

Tonight I bought a new hub assembly, power steering pump, AND the dealer part that Hans' used to repair the faulty fuel sender; all for about $150. Thanks to LeSabre in Buffalo's discount code, I just went to AdvanceAuto.com, paid online and selected store pickup, saving $40. I've never replaced a power steering pump, wheel hub/bearing, or fuel sender...sooo this will be a learning experience for me. I may need to lean on some of you gurus...however, there are a lot of great write-ups on Pontiac Bonneville Club for all of these topics, thankfully.

When I'm all done, this car should be in pretty good shape. It does need a good claybarring/waxing/polishing treatment. Maybe I'll get to that at the Michigan Meet next year, since we should be coming.

[RJGill84]

UPDATE: Replaced the passenger front wheel bearing. It's nice and quiet now, and the Service Stability message on the DIC is gone.

Also replaced the fuel level sender piece per Han's video. Works PERFECTLY and saved me a couple hundred. Very easy procedure for those of you with wonky fuel gauges. Thanks Hans

Replaced the power steering pump as well. It was very quiet the first 10 minutes, but it's back to being extremely loud. I flushed the system multiple times, and refilled with quality power steering fluid following the bleed procedure. The noise is pretty intense, even at speeds about 30mph there is a slight groaning/squeeling.

I decided to flush and fill again with Dexron VI power steering fluid, as it's spec'd on many vehicles, as supposedly did wonders for some of the Aurora Forum members who had noisy PS systems. It, too, did NOT quiet it down at all. I then tried some Lucas Power Steering treatment, which is "gauranteed" to stop noises - of course, it did nothing either.

You can hardly hear it on the outside of the car, it almost seems as if it's coming from underneath the steering wheel. Hope it's not the rack. This thing is SUPER loud guys - and extremely annoying at low speeds. Any ideas???

[Kersh]

If you are unable to hear it outside of the car, I would look for one of the hoses to be coming in contact with something in the chassis. You may just be getting a harmonic resonance inside the car.

[CincyGXP]

If I remember correctly, there was a TSB on the Auroras for a power steering hose that was too short, and would cause noises. If you could find that TSB, it may help you.