Clunk while turning steering wheel

**Z28** · 03-30-2011

1999 gp gt. 120k on it

I did a quick search, but no one's description quite fit mine.

If I am sitting in the driveway rotating the wheel about 60-90 degrees in either direction it makes a pretty loud clunk.

Normal driving usually doesn't cause noise unless I go over a bump at low speed while turning sharply, it'll clunk pretty horribly if I do that. Even if I'm not turning and hit a large speed bump it'll make the same loud clunk. It's getting worse, it use to just do it on occasion, now it's very regular. Needs fixed.

Another guy thought it might be the inner/outer tie rod ends...any ideas?

**Durk Diggler** · 03-30-2011

Ball Joint

**Z28** · 03-30-2011

Did you experience the same problem? How hard will it be to change? Can I do it? Is there any special tools used? Is there a how to?

**sseilmnop** · 03-30-2011

Look into intermediate shaft. I don't no the exact years it effects but I think it effects 99's. There is a lube kit from GM consisting of a plastic siring and rubber cork for $10 - $20 dollars. Take the intermediate shaft out and pull it apart(expand it), put the grease from siring down the tube. Cork the end and ca-lapse it, grease will shot out the splines. I recommend filling the tube completely with grease so that you don't have to do it again for a couple of years. Brand new ones have the same problem, but they have fresh grease.

**RamonGTX** · 03-30-2011

Mine does that too and my axle boot is tore so I need a new one or what ever and all the grease is starting to be gone and it makes a clink noise when im stopped...

**FordMan77** · 03-30-2011

I had the same issue and it turned out that my front sway bar was cracked on both ends where the links go through it. Turn the wheels all the way to the right and take a look at the drivers side and you should be able to see the bar/endlink. Then do the same to the pass. side.

I would turn and get a dull thunk everytime that piece gave a bit, especially when backing out of a parking space and turning the wheel. It looked to be getting stuck on itself, then popping free at some point.

This is what I found on my drivers side...

**Durk Diggler** · 03-30-2011

It's not hard I did it on my 95 Monte, not my current car.
Dremel off the factory rivets, have some kind of pry bar handy.
Do both sides. At 120K you're due for ball joints anyways it wouldn't be terrible to replace them and not have it be the problem but clunks over bumps and turns usually is a bad ball joint. If you're gonna do anything else like tie rods do it all at once so you can get it aligned when you're done.

**Z28** · 03-30-2011

Originally Posted by FordMan77

I had the same issue and it turned out that my front sway bar was cracked on both ends where the links go through it. Turn the wheels all the way to the right and take a look at the drivers side and you should be able to see the bar/endlink. Then do the same to the pass. side.

I would turn and get a dull thunk everytime that piece gave a bit, especially when backing out of a parking space and turning the wheel. It looked to be getting stuck on itself, then popping free at some point.

This is what I found on my drivers side...

I can see that happening while driving, but mine will clunk when the vehicle isn't moving, just turning the wheel.

**Z28** · 03-30-2011

Originally Posted by Durk Diggler

It's not hard I did it on my 95 Monte, not my current car.
Dremel off the factory rivets, have some kind of pry bar handy.
Do both sides. At 120K you're due for ball joints anyways it wouldn't be terrible to replace them and not have it be the problem but clunks over bumps and turns usually is a bad ball joint. If you're gonna do anything else like tie rods do it all at once so you can get it aligned when you're done.

Thanks, I'll try and do that.

**Z28** · 03-30-2011

Well I think I'm gonna start with the ball joints, drive it, then try the tie rods, drive it, then the intermediate shaft i guess it's called. I have no idea what i'll be doing there, but I think I found a how to on that.

I'll check for some loose bolts as well and see what I come up with, just gotta find some free time.