PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Play in steering wheel. About 3/8". Slight click/clunk when rapidly turning wheel back and forth a small amount, more noticeable with engine off.

New outer tie rod ends. Wheel bearings newish (under 5k miles). No noticeable play in ball joints or control arm bushings.

What else is there?

Car has "highway death shake" issues; I am trying to tighten up everything before I shotgun new tires on it (balanced already by a trustworthy shop).

???ideas???

Intermidiate steering shaft.....common problem.

Try lubing before you replace it.
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... f=55&t=217

And death shake is common in 99% of the 00+'s. I think only one person has gotten it out? Someone else will chime in about it.

I don't have death shake.....yet.

00Beast wrote:I don't have death shake.....yet.

Itll start tmw cause its Friday the 13th

01bonneSC wrote:

And death shake is common in 99% of the 00+'s. I think only one person has gotten it out? Someone else will chime in about it.

Years ago I drove an 03 Olds Aurora for 14 months and 23000 miles; it was a company car I picked up at the dealer brand new. I liked that car; it was one of the 'final 500' commemorative ones, every option. One of the reasons I got into this Bonneville was my previous experience with the Aurora. But, it had death shake from day one. The dealer wouldn't accept that it was a problem, because it happened at speeds over 70, over the speed limit. Finally, I replaced the stock Michelins with Goodyear RSA tires at about 10K out of frustration... shake stopped. Of course, I was gainfully employed then and could afford it, unlike today...where I bust my butt for 1/3 the salary.

My Bonneville has Kuhmo Solus tires with 2006 date codes; they need replaced before the snow hits, but I am hoping to get through the summer and fall on them.

More on this intermediate shaft issue: I thought from reading it was about the clunking noise, not about actual looseness. Anyone have a definitive answer on that???

i had "highway death shake" in my 2000. mine never went away until i replaced the trans. before that i replaced axles, brakes, struts and mounts, tie rod ends, tires, engine mounts cant remember what else off the top of my head.

Not saying thats whats causing yours but its a possibility.

ablebakercharlie wrote: More on this intermediate shaft issue: I thought from reading it was about the clunking noise, not about actual looseness. Anyone have a definitive answer on that???

In OP:

ablebakercharlie wrote:Play in steering wheel. About 3/8". Slight click/clunk when rapidly turning wheel back and forth a small amount, more noticeable with engine off.

Thats why i mentioned the shaft.

The thing is, the clicking or clunking doesn't bother me much...the play does. I am thinking since one fix for the clicking is to grease it, that the clicking is not really a significant source of looseness...just irritation. That's why I asked about noise vs. play in the intermediate shaft.

Just back from a 900 mile road trip with the kids this morning...and varying shake the whole time. It would make more sense if it was always at an rpm or mph, but it comes and goes and ticks me off. Car ran well, though...did wish for 50 or so extra HP/lbsft from time to time ;-)

Have you had your tires balanced recently?

Well your clicking is just gonna get worse, so id fix that.

Is your looseness on just cruise driving or when you are hitting a corner hard. These things arent Ferraris so they are cushy.

What speeds do your shakeyness come in? There has to be a common speed that it starts. Mine is 65-75 and once you hit 80 it goes away.

Check the bolts for the rack, too. There have been a couple of reports of them working loose.

Tires recently balanced. I watched them do it, insisted they re-spin after and show all zeros.

I will check rack bolts tomorrow.

vibration starts around 68 and continues up to at least 80. I did not spend any significant time past 80 with my daughters in the car this weekend. The vibration pisses me off. I expect dead solid at all speeds.

The looseness is most noticeable as looseness at low speeds and low cornering loads.

ablebakercharlie wrote: vibration starts around 68 and continues up to at least 80. I did not spend any significant time past 80 with my daughters in the car this weekend. The vibration pisses me off. I expect dead solid at all speeds.

Classic.....