PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

This is kinda long, sorry in advance.
So the bonnie has just under 28k on it and the warranty runs out 1/6/09 or 40k miles (We bought it as a demo 1/6/06 with around 4k miles) The car is on IS number 3. Back in the spring I noticed a clicking noise when braking at exactly 14 then 13 mph. Finally in July I took the car in to get looked at. After 1 day of service and the problem not being found, I took the service manager out for a drive and I pointed out the problem, he heard it and made a note. The next day they looked at the car and was told it needed new front pads at around $200 and that what was causing the noise. I said ok thanks I'll do it myself. So the next day I bought new aftermarket performance low dust pads and put them on. The clicking was still there. So finally last night we dropped the car off again for the clicking noise. The dealership put new pads on and resurfaced the rotors (without asking us) and said the car was all done. I was shocked when we got there and was told we had a bill for 200+ dollars. The service manager said my pads were not compatable and that they were causing the trouble. He said he personally drove the car and its fine. So I said I wanted the old pads since they were new. He gave them to me and said he tried calling my work but there was no answer and figured we would have wanted the work done anyway. Wrong, I hardly ever go to the dealer if I have to pay and for brakes, comeon, thats an easy job! Anyway, on the way home I drove and sure enough I heard the clicking. I went in there and they gave me the credit back for the initial charge and told me to come back friday for a tech to listen to it. I suggested maybe it is the Intermediate Shaft again and that I know these cars are known to have this type of problem. I really don't like this dealership, but they are only 4 miles from my house. There are about 4 others within a 10-20 mile radius, but its much more easy to go here. We never bought a car from them since there sales department is horrible, we always go to a small dealership that is about 45min away but will beat anyones price and order any car we want. If GM was better about giving loaner cars out it would be easier to just go someplace else, but when you need to have someone follow you or drop you off you usually need to plan ahead of time and have rides lined up.

So bottom line, do you think it is the intermediate shaft again or something else. We have been considering getting an extended warranty on this car. Mom plans on keeping it for 10 years so 2015-2016. She drives about 9-10k a year.
Thanks
Dave~

so its a clicking during braking or turning?

its during braking. When accelerating I can feel the steering wheel move in and out slightly. When sitting still I can't move the steering wheel move in or out. Its been like this for a long time.

Although the IM could and will go again ( by all accounts so far). It is something that can and usually be heard better at a dead stop or barely moving. And not more prominent when braking. Several GXP owners have had front wheel bearing issue's, I wonder if yours are getting worn. It would seem between yourself and the Dealer the brakes have been reworked enough times to rule out them as the culprit.

I would definitely buy the GM extended while you still can. The car's design will keep it looking fresh for years to come and it's drivetrain is a costly one as it ages.

Its going back in tomorrow, hopefully they can find the culprit.

I have a slight ticking/clicking noise that seems to come from the rear of the car (altho it could be from anywhere) as I'm driving. It only happens while the car is in motion, and is only audible with the window down. I seem to remember a thread about a common ticking/clicking issue in the 00+ cars...but I can't find it right now.

So the dealership finally found the source of the noise. They said its the transmission. When the car slows down to 14mph it shifts into first. They want to tear into the transmission and they believe that the valve body is not working correctly, although the service manager and myself both say the trans shifts fine through all gears. At just over 28k, this scares me. I was quoted a price of $1900 to do the work, if in fact it is the valve body. I reminded the guy the car still is under the factory warranty till Jan 2009 since we bought it new in Jan 2006. I think its time to start shopping around for an extended warranty. We will be taking the car in the week of the 15th for the work. I was thinking maybe when they installed the last intermediate shaft something got damaged, not sure. They say the shaft is good.

However, now on my GXP I think the Intermediate Shaft is going bad.

Get all that fixed before January 2009! Extended Warranties can be a scam, so watch out. Good luck with it.

I dropped the car off last monday for a 2 day repair. By wednesday I finally called them and was told they were still diagnosing the car. I called again yesterday and got the same response and was told I will get a definite answer by tomorrow. I thought they found the problem when I brought it in 3 weeks ago, this is getting a bit annoying.

Called the dealer again today. Was told that they ordered a part (an accumulator) and its on national backorder. The service manager said that since my car is out of order we have top priority on the part. Put about 1200 miles on the rental in the last 15 days and just today the check engine light came on (I swear I didnt do anything)

SkiBum1229 wrote: Put about 1200 miles on the rental in the last 15 days and just today the check engine light came on (I swear I didnt do anything)

Uh huh, SURE!!!

So finally got the car back yesterday after 32 days. They first replaced the accumulator and when that didn't work, they had to completly rebuild the trans. I drove it home last night and everything feels great and tight. Even the steering wheel feels tight. Hopefully this fix will last the life of the car, its good to have her home. The dealership even cleaned the car for us.

During the last month, mom has been driving my GXP and totally messed up my right front rim. I haven't been able to do a full inspection for any scratches, and I know there were none when I let her use it.

Glad to hear the noise is gone and you got the car back. I have the OEM rims back on mine and when the wife drives and goes to park, I get spastic about staying away from the curbs. I now have that slight ticking in the back others have mentioned, and it to can can only be heard rom the back seat/or the rear window down. Puzzling. With the temps and snow on the ground, I'm hoping it doesnt get louder before I can into it this spring. I am not taking mine to a Dealer over a ticking. God knows what they will want to tear into.

I will only went to the dealer since it was under warranty. I do 95% of all things myself. I do this because I like to work on my own car and its good experience and its usually much cheaper and I trust my work more than I trust someone else, not to mention the car overall.