2007 GP GXP Money Pit - Steering Pull, DIC Errors, Etc - Very Long...
- Thread starter AnotherGXPOwner
- Start date
AnotherGXPOwner
New member
HighOctaneRacing - I think you're right.
91parkave - Both front struts and strut mounts were replaced a few months ago.
It's still in the shop, dropped it off Monday end of day. The guys at the shop wanted to give me the car back Tuesday if they could, but they were still working on it when I called end of day Tuesday. I was told to expect a call yesterday but that didn't happen, so I guess there are some things they haven't sorted out yet. Who knows, maybe I'll get it back today.
91parkave - Both front struts and strut mounts were replaced a few months ago.
It's still in the shop, dropped it off Monday end of day. The guys at the shop wanted to give me the car back Tuesday if they could, but they were still working on it when I called end of day Tuesday. I was told to expect a call yesterday but that didn't happen, so I guess there are some things they haven't sorted out yet. Who knows, maybe I'll get it back today.
Dancing Bear
New member
This is far above my knowledge level, but I hope you get it all situated soon! I know lingering issues can be frustrating, especially with such hefty repair costs. Hang in there buddy! I'm sure it'll get figured out.
AnotherGXPOwner
New member
Thanks!! I didn't hear back about the car yesterday, so perhaps today - I hope. It would be one thing if the pull was slighter, if the steering pull shifted left / right after alignments, but the consistency about it is definitely frustrating!!
AnotherGXPOwner
New member
Got the car back Friday. The bill was over $1200. With the repair bills thus far this year, I think the total is over $3000, which all started when I took it in for tire wear on the outside front left. AND IT STILL PULLS LEFT, and I'd bet that the left front tire will shave even further down as I put some more miles on it. They told me they replaced the steering position sensor, $200. I find it hard to believe that this sensor just broke coincidentally while they were working on it.
There's more... No DIC errors now. It seems Magnasteer is still disabled. Rear wheels are leaning in really steep, I don't remember them being so steep. I now have a vibration at speed that wasn't there when I took it in. And at low speed, I have a different vibration, much higher frequency, more like a pushing / pulling, felt more in the wheel, when turning sharply left while accelerating a bit - this may seem odd, but it's about the frequency I would expect from the balls in the CV joint (not CV joint click / clunk, I know that sound well), much faster than each rotation of the tire.
It used to go straight, even when it hit a bump, with very little effort to steer it. Now, I brace my arm to hold it to the right - this has only gotten worse since I took it in earlier this year.
Parts replaced in the past few months?
* 4 or 5 steering racks, I have lost count.
* 3 or 4 steering pumps, also lost count.
* 4 new tires.
* 4 new Bilstein struts.
* 4 new strut mounts.
* Outer tie rod ends.
* 2 new front rotors.
* New pads all around.
* Front wheel bearings.
* Steering Wheel Position Sensor.
* Trans fluid lines.
* Belt Tensioner.
* Plugs and Wires.
* Oil and Filter.
* Whatever I'm forgetting...
I am still researching to find a shop that seems capable of fixing it. Nothing stands out so far.
Here's the alignment done this past week:
There's more... No DIC errors now. It seems Magnasteer is still disabled. Rear wheels are leaning in really steep, I don't remember them being so steep. I now have a vibration at speed that wasn't there when I took it in. And at low speed, I have a different vibration, much higher frequency, more like a pushing / pulling, felt more in the wheel, when turning sharply left while accelerating a bit - this may seem odd, but it's about the frequency I would expect from the balls in the CV joint (not CV joint click / clunk, I know that sound well), much faster than each rotation of the tire.
It used to go straight, even when it hit a bump, with very little effort to steer it. Now, I brace my arm to hold it to the right - this has only gotten worse since I took it in earlier this year.
Parts replaced in the past few months?
* 4 or 5 steering racks, I have lost count.
* 3 or 4 steering pumps, also lost count.
* 4 new tires.
* 4 new Bilstein struts.
* 4 new strut mounts.
* Outer tie rod ends.
* 2 new front rotors.
* New pads all around.
* Front wheel bearings.
* Steering Wheel Position Sensor.
* Trans fluid lines.
* Belt Tensioner.
* Plugs and Wires.
* Oil and Filter.
* Whatever I'm forgetting...
I am still researching to find a shop that seems capable of fixing it. Nothing stands out so far.
Here's the alignment done this past week:
Attachments
Last edited:
Scottydoggs
Killa Bee
your alignment is still out of spec, take it back and tell them to do it right. i had to go back and complain 4 times on this alignment. the rear wheel caber was so out my winter tires rubbed the inside of the lip on the fender. i had to slot the rear strut, then told then i did that, then i also had to free up all the lock nuts in the rear cause they were super lazy and said it would not move, even with heat, all it took was a wire brush and a few taps with a hammer and bam, they all came free in minutes..
AnotherGXPOwner
New member
GrannyDogs - They want me to take it back tomorrow, after about 100 miles, to do another alignment and possibly add camber bolts for the rear. Charged me only once for an alignment, but they've done a number of them - and it still isn't right.
korNhead - Yeah, absolutely - I've given them plenty of chances and a lot of money to fix this, and it's still messed up.
91parkave - Well, when they asked me how much I wanted to pay, I told them "None of it.". Bilsteins - funny you should ask, I was wondering the same thing, thinking I could get them rebuilt and then sell them. Didn't get my original fronts back, not sure where they went - still, I should ask them about those, too.
I've read up about replacing lower control arms and traction bar linkages, may improve the darned thing. I was debating on ordering them and having the local shop install these, but I really don't want to give them any more money. I'm wondering if I could do this myself - don't have much in the way of tools for cars, but it seems easy enough (read a write-up here).
korNhead - Yeah, absolutely - I've given them plenty of chances and a lot of money to fix this, and it's still messed up.
91parkave - Well, when they asked me how much I wanted to pay, I told them "None of it.". Bilsteins - funny you should ask, I was wondering the same thing, thinking I could get them rebuilt and then sell them. Didn't get my original fronts back, not sure where they went - still, I should ask them about those, too.
I've read up about replacing lower control arms and traction bar linkages, may improve the darned thing. I was debating on ordering them and having the local shop install these, but I really don't want to give them any more money. I'm wondering if I could do this myself - don't have much in the way of tools for cars, but it seems easy enough (read a write-up here).
AnotherGXPOwner
New member
I have something new to add... On an exit ramp turning right, I hit the ramp about 65 mph, and upon attempting to go straight, the car pulled even harder left up to the light. On taking a left turn, the left bias seemed to settle back down. It's like the lower arm got kicked in, then straightened out. Ordered new LCA (I think it's a fair guess) and traction bar links.
AnotherGXPOwner
New member
91parkave - Yeah, I think that's where I am at this point. Not sure I even need the LCA's, but I'll stick them in the trunk when I take it to a GM dealer. There are a few, closest is about an hour away. I haven't made up my mind when I'm taking it to them, I've got a trip out of town next week. At least the car will sit and won't accumulate any tire wear.
I took it in, they didn't charge me anything. They put in camber bolts in the rear, did another alignment, and checked for codes, found one related to the steering position sensor. The alignment DOES feel better this time. I still have a slight vibration, and it still doesn't feel right in the front, still has some vibration, etc. Magnasteer still isn't right, they said they'd research the code and let me know what they find.
What am I going to do with this thing, longer term?? I think I'm going to retire it as a daily driver in the next 6 months or so. It's time for another car. Keep it, garage it, trade it in? Not sure yet. I can say, in the 4 or 5 years I've had it, it's been a lot of fun, but it's gone to the shop more often and for more time, costing more money than all of the cars I've owned in the past 20 years, combined. As I told my wife last night, with our GXP having a Do Not Resuscitate order (no more big piles of dough to keep it on the road), the car is worth more right now than it will ever be worth. Her reply? "Let's trade it in.".
I took it in, they didn't charge me anything. They put in camber bolts in the rear, did another alignment, and checked for codes, found one related to the steering position sensor. The alignment DOES feel better this time. I still have a slight vibration, and it still doesn't feel right in the front, still has some vibration, etc. Magnasteer still isn't right, they said they'd research the code and let me know what they find.
What am I going to do with this thing, longer term?? I think I'm going to retire it as a daily driver in the next 6 months or so. It's time for another car. Keep it, garage it, trade it in? Not sure yet. I can say, in the 4 or 5 years I've had it, it's been a lot of fun, but it's gone to the shop more often and for more time, costing more money than all of the cars I've owned in the past 20 years, combined. As I told my wife last night, with our GXP having a Do Not Resuscitate order (no more big piles of dough to keep it on the road), the car is worth more right now than it will ever be worth. Her reply? "Let's trade it in.".
Dancing Bear
New member
Personally, I'd trade it in. I know you like the car...but enough is enough!
HighOctaneRacing
New member
AnotherGXPOwner
New member
pames93 - Actually, it IS low on blinker fluid - battery is getting weak. Muffler bearings - I think they're working TOO well, else perhaps my P0420 error would go away!! Radiator cooler - fan's good, and the pre-cooler (trans fluid) is brand new and working well. 
Dancing Bear - I don't just like it - it's the only car I've ever LOVED!! There was a distinct moment a few months ago - I was leaving the shop after having driven the rental for a week. I hit the gas, and instead of putting a grin on my face like usual, I just felt... sad. The acceleration is still fine, trans is still good, etc, but at what cost, and for how long?
HighOctaneRacing - I've been debating on taking it to a GM dealership since I last posted, wondering if I will be worse off for keeping it another 6 months. I've been wondering, will it be cost-effective, will it matter for trade-in value? Would the next shop I take it to actually be able to fix it, or would they potentially make it WORSE? That's what I was thinking when I drove it yesterday. But then, being at a dealership, perhaps I could check out what they have for sale...
Dancing Bear - I don't just like it - it's the only car I've ever LOVED!! There was a distinct moment a few months ago - I was leaving the shop after having driven the rental for a week. I hit the gas, and instead of putting a grin on my face like usual, I just felt... sad. The acceleration is still fine, trans is still good, etc, but at what cost, and for how long?
HighOctaneRacing - I've been debating on taking it to a GM dealership since I last posted, wondering if I will be worse off for keeping it another 6 months. I've been wondering, will it be cost-effective, will it matter for trade-in value? Would the next shop I take it to actually be able to fix it, or would they potentially make it WORSE? That's what I was thinking when I drove it yesterday. But then, being at a dealership, perhaps I could check out what they have for sale...
HighOctaneRacing
New member
Take to the dealership for a diagnosis and see what they say. If something is wrong and it's costly, take it home and think about it to see if it's worth fixing or getting rid of.
Sent from my LG G3
Sent from my LG G3