Clunking noise in steering column

[NashvilleGXP243]

My 2005 GXP has a 'clunking' sound in what seems to be the top of the steering column. I just spent $2,200.00 on new front struts, 2 front top strut mounts, 2 front wheel hub bearings, 4 new Firestone Indy 500 tires and a 4 wheel alignment. This past spring I put a water pump in it (pretty easy, took about 1 1/2 hours. I also put the back 4 coil packs on it, since the #5 coil pack was bad. Little did I know the 'first design' is no longer available. That's the reason I got all 4. Left off the secondary air valve bracket that's a pain to deal with. Also, since my #5 coil went bad, it fried my catalytic converter. Spent $200 for a new one, plus installation. Pretty good deal in that end. All told, I've spent almost $3,000 on this POS car, and it's getting old throwing money into this poorly designed car. And I still have to get a new instrument panel that has the good stepper motors installed (there was a guy on here that sold these, new stepper motors installed, for $150.00). The fog lights don't work, I'm leaning towards HID lights for those. Pontiac was stupid in installing the cheap fog lights in the GXP's!!! I don't see why they didn't use the ones from a GTP or GT Grand Prix! To save money, I guess.

[96 SSEi]

sounds like the car hasn't been properly maintained if you needed all that at once. Now you did lots of stuff and you should be good for many miles. what's the mileage? I would first inspect the ball joints/ tie rods and then the steering assembly.

Please give more info on the noise- when does it happen, before stop?, while turning?, at what speed? Can you feel the clunk in the wheel?, floor?

[nos4blood70]

The intermediate steering shaft is your clunking noise, it's a common problem on most FWD GM vehicles. You can either replace it or lube it up with some silicone grease.

HIDs will work fine in your fog lights and stop the burning out issue.

[NashvilleGXP243]

The mileage is 168,000 miles. The tie rods, and ball joints are all ok. I had a feeling it was the intermediate shaft. My 2000 Grand Prix GTP had a similar sound, but not as audible as this GXP's. Thanks guys.

[CMNTMXR57]

Answered here;
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... ml#p449847

No need for duplicate posts.