Power Steering Assembly - Rattle or Clunk
Model Year 1983Bulletin No. 83-215
File In Group 30
Number 13
Date Jan.. '84
SUBJECT: RATTLE OR CLUNK IN POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY
MODELS AFFECTED: 1982-83 CENTURY AND SKYLARK
A rattle or clunk noise may be transmitted up from the steering column area on a 1982-83 Century or Skylark equipped with power steering while driving on a rough road or hitting bumps. This noise may be caused by one of the following:
1. Rack Bearing Adjustment - A bump force on the steering rack may compress the rack bearing adjuster spring resulting in a clunk or rattle. Adjust the rack bearing adjuster plug "back off" to the minimum specification of 50~ to correct. Adjustment procedure is outlined on page 3B2-10 of the 1983 Chassis Service Manual. Back off specification is 50~ to 70~.
2. Intermediate Steering Shaft Assembly - Dealer Technical Bulletin 82-T-97, Group 30, No. 22, describes a lower steering column rattle which can be repaired by installing a spring on the shaft assembly slip-section.
Instances can be encountered where due to tolerances in the shaft assembly the spring may not completely eliminate the noise. The spring is installed on 1983 production gears by Saginaw Steering. If the noise is diagnosed as being from the shaft assembly and the spring is already installed, replace the intermediate shaft assembly. This would apply to 1982 and 1983 Centurys and Skylarks.
3. Clunk Noise Transmitted Into The Steering Gear Assembly - A condition could be encountered, for example, where a clunk noise in a McPherson strut may be thought to be coming from the steering system.
Eliminate suspension noise potential sources such as the struts or springs when diagnosing a steering system for rattles.
4. A Rattle or Clunking Noise from the Rack and Pinion Assembly may also be caused by:
1. Power steering pressure hose touching other parts of the car.
2. Tie rod end loose.
3. Rack and pinion attachment loose.