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Want to document in some detail a fix (maybe temporary -- we'll see) for a persistent issue with my 2001 Aero (sedan, 5 speed with 55K miles, CPO warranty to 100K) that I know has troubled a number of owners on this board. Hopefully this will help a bit. I've also added some references to relevant posts by others and previous posts of mine just in case someone really wants to read the whole saga.
The PROBLEM:
A clunking/knocking feel (more feel than sound) when making slow speed right hand turns (sometimes left) and accelerating the car a bit at the same time. It feels as though it is coming from the bottom front of the car somewhere under the middle console and through the steering column. The problem was not there when I bought it at 51K and started at about 53K.
The DISCUSSION:
My recent post on this problem with a good discussion of owner's experiences and their suggested fixes can be found under the heading "Front end clunk" 10/24/04
And a separate thread created recently by Paul H "Lubed steering column - still knocking - thoughts?" 10/11/04
The SOLUTION:
After trying to get this problem fixed by the dealer for four months (under CPO warranty, see details below) Anders at SWEDECAR convinced me to let him grease/lubricate the lower splined joint on the steering column as a test fix. It was done this morning and voila! the knock is GONE! Completely.
Anders' instructions on this fix can be found via the instructional link below.
Please NOTES:
1. This is likely only a temporary fix but it seems to work. If I have to do this once every 6 months I can live it. It only takes 30 minutes.
2. The front steering and suspension of a 9-5 seems fairly complicated and other owners have had knocks, clunks, etc. fixed by replacing control arm bushings, replacing wheel bearings, sway bar links, engine mounts, CV joints, etc. While these may solve other problems (that sound similar), solving this specific steering clunk/knock issue is very simple (again, perhaps as a temporary fix) and may be a good first option.
3. It is important to do this correctly, the dealer did lube the steering column on my car at one point but it didn't work. It is also possible that the type of grease they're using isn't effective.
4. For those of you having trouble with dealers being able to replicate the problem, I did notice the problem is hard to replicate (but possible) when I had a passenger in the car. So if a dealer is test driving the car with you in it, he/she may not feel it.
5. The steering column part number has been superseded which means theoretically a "new and improved" steering column exists -- but we don't know what the revision was -- was it the splines or some other issue?
The HISTORY:
I think AeroLady pointed out this issue a while ago, had it fixed but it has returned. Others on this board have also solved this issue in a similar way.
The dealer had changed the following parts on my car with no luck: front wheel bearings, sway bar links, steering column lock nut with lube, ball joints, top and bottom engine mounts. The control arm bushings were going to be next, if the lube didn't solve the problem, based on posts by Daniel Kremens and moronputz.
My past posts related to this issue
"Clunk/knock/vibration issue + vent" 8/20/04
"Knock/clunk during turns" 7/29/04
The GRATITUDE:
Thanks to everyone for their time and input. And thanks to Anders for his expertise. Hope the people on this board don't mind the references to them or their posts ... just trying to create a somewhat detailed solutions page. Will keep you posted on the duration of this fix in time (he said with some uncertainty). Thanks.
posted by 4.43.156...
The INSTRUCTIONS: Steering Column Lube ( from SWEDECAR)
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