Strange vibration/rattle... 02GTP

[shredaspud]

I have a 2002 GTP with 46,000 miles. The power steering rack leaks and it is getting "groany" and whiney really fast, so that will need to be replaced. I add power steering fluid if needed, but the leak is miniscule.

But the car has had a strange quirk that has been there since the day I bought it. When I start it up cold or after it's been sitting... I put it into reverse(out of my space) and then drive and when I go forward, within a few feet it vibrates/rumbles very slightly in the front. It can be felt in the gas pedal and head lights flicker for an instant. No idea what it is. It causes no problem either.

Now that the PS rack is leaking, it clunks when I first start moving in reverse, like something is moving/shifting in the suspension. But I assume that is related to the rack.

Ignition switch has been replaced and no problems with wheel bearings/cv joints or abs sensors. Tie rods are ok as well.

 

[gtpinsc]

bet ur sway bar is broken.

 

[shredaspud]

Would a broken sway bar cause catastrophic failure like when a tie rod breaks? I'm not very familiar with suspension components other than shocks and springs.

 

[gtpinsc]

youll be ok driving it as long as thats whats broken.. just get it fixed when ya can. id suggest getting a gmpp sway bar. theyre solid instaed of hollow like the stock ones.

 

[Red Devil]

Would a broken sway bar cause catastrophic failure like when a tie rod breaks? I'm not very familiar with suspension components other than shocks and springs.

A broke sawy bar will not cause anything catastrpohic. The car will not stay planted to the road as nicely as it should when making agressive turn's \ corner's. Nothing to worry about at all. None of my Drag Car's run Sway bar's and I drive them on the street more then enough with zero issues. But on a Daily Driver I'd look into getting the item replaced if that really is an ungoing issue. But I doubt thats what the issue is with the sympthoes you are explaing. Did you buy the car new and it had this issue or used?

 

[SlowNA06]

I have a 2002 GTP with 46,000 miles. The power steering rack leaks and it is getting "groany" and whiney really fast, so that will need to be replaced. I add power steering fluid if needed, but the leak is miniscule.

You Might be able to hold this off a bit with a little bit of stop leak but it will eventually need to be replaced.

When I start it up cold or after it's been sitting... I put it into reverse(out of my space) and then drive and when I go forward, within a few feet it vibrates/rumbles very slightly in the front. It can be felt in the gas pedal and head lights flicker for an instant. No idea what it is. It causes no problem either.

This shudder is your ABS system checking itself - should do that at 3-4mph after start then never again until next start. Perfectly normal.

Now that the PS rack is leaking, it clunks when I first start moving in reverse, like something is moving/shifting in the suspension. But I assume that is related to the rack.

Something is moving/shifting in the suspension... when you shift. Okay, enough wisecrack from me. Is this clunk a noise, jolt, vibration? Does it happen when you shift back to drive? Trans fluid full, pink, cool and froody?

 

[shredaspud]

You Might be able to hold this off a bit with a little bit of stop leak but it will eventually need to be replaced.

The fluid remains full and I haven't added but a *tiny* bit to it. It whines a lot, but ONLY when I turn left quickly while in motion. Adding fluid seems to have no effect on function. I haven't checked the fluid in probably 2 weeks now. The pump itself doesn't whine even when the wheel gets tough to turn at times. I can't really turn the wheel without bogging the engine when the car isn't moving, such as squeezing into a tight parking spot. The wheel will just plain stop turning if I try to steer while not moving. The power steering rack is wet at that plug thing. I would expect consistent whining of the pump if it were the pump because I've driven my share of cars with bad powersteering pumps and they whined all the time. Is the assumption correct?

This shudder is your ABS system checking itself - should do that at 3-4mph after start then never again until next start. Perfectly normal.

Interesting! I suspected the ABS system myself. Do certain cars do it more than others? It takes longer for it to check itself when I reverse. I know because I've tried it.

Something is moving/shifting in the suspension... when you shift. Okay, enough wisecrack from me. Is this clunk a noise, jolt, vibration? Does it happen when you shift back to drive? Trans fluid full, pink, cool and froody?

The "groan or clunk" has only occurred when I move the car immediately after first started when it's cold. It's more of a noise but I can definitely feel it. The car is already in gear and the "groan" is within literally 6 inches of moving. I definitely think it's the power steering since it occurs when I crank the wheel. It's not the transmission. My Tempo had a broken transmission/motor mount and talk about a clunk. The engine could literally move itself around... Going on a tangent there...

BTW. Tranny fluid is pink and healthy. Power steering is a recent development. Cars these past 3 years have been dollaring and 50-cent piece-ing me to death.

 

[SlowNA06]

It takes longer for it to check itself when I reverse. I know because I've tried it.

I've had it kick in while reversing out of a spot and continue when I changed gears. It might be slower to check in reverse because you're going slower or braking.

 

[shredaspud]

I want to put it into neutral and see if it "checks" when I roll away. The strange things that I wonder.