2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Steering wheel popping

KALEB92

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
2.2L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
190,000 MILES

Noticed it was popping a while ago while turning. Doesn't make a difference whether the car is moving or in park. When I start with the wheel at 12'o clock and turn it clockwise is pops at 3'o clock and when I turn it counter clockwise from 3 it pops at 12 and 11'o clock and it does this consistently. I had someone turn the steering wheel while I felt the strut to see if the bearing was binding and the spring was popping, but nothing was wrong. Did the same under the car and felt the tie rod end but there was nothing when the steering popped. I did notice tho that it sounded like it was coming from the firewall. From inside the car the it sound like its at the bottom of the steering column.

5 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Have a pro check your axle shafts

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Thursday, March 6th, 2014 AT 5:47 AM

KALEB92

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Went out and checked the CV boots on the driver side, they looked okay no splits. Took it out to a parking lot and did circles for like 20 min, tried wide circles to the tightest my steering would allow before it would overload the power steering and squeal. Only one time did I get it to make the sound a failing CV does and that was the pop pop pop pop but that was the tightest circle I could do at 4 mph and I couldn't get it to do it again. Biggest thing I noticed was when I was parked in the driveway and turned my wheels 15° counter clockwise then lightly turned a little further I could feel tension in the wheel then it would pop, but the tension didnt go away so when I let go of the steering it would go back to where it was. And when I repeated this a few times I noticed just before the pop my rpms would drop from 550 to 500 and they would go back up after the pop.

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Thursday, March 6th, 2014 AT 6:38 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Have a pro look at it lthe explanation isn't enough to give a proper diagnosis here.

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Friday, March 7th, 2014 AT 5:40 AM

KALEB92

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Lol its more than enough info, but yeah its a tough problem Saw a bunch of forums where people had the same problem and their mechanic couldn't figure out what it was and replaced the struts, CV axles, ball joints, and or wheel bearings, but it still didn't fix the problem. Think I might just replace my rack and pinion assy eventually. Well thx for the effort

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Friday, March 7th, 2014 AT 2:18 PM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

I did find this in tsb
Follow the service procedure below to install a fluid restrictor, P/N 22592200, in the P/S return line to correct this condition.
Loosen the two air cleaner intake tube clamps and remove the air cleaner intake tube.
Place a suitable drain pan under the power steering pump assembly.
Remove the clamp (5) and the power steering return hose (2) from the power steering pump (1).
Fig. 1: Power Steering Return Hose
Install the P/S fluid restrictor, P/N 22592200, in the P/S fluid reservoir return port.
NOTE: The inlet and outlet hoses must not be twisted during installation. Do not bend or distort the inlet or outlet hoses to make installation easier. Failure to follow these procedures could result in component damage.

Install the power steering return hose (2) and the clamp (5) to the power steering pump (1).
Install the air cleaner intake tube and tighten the clamps. Tighten the clamps to 5 N.M (44 lb in).
Fill and bleed the power steering system. Refer to Bleeding the Power Steering System, SI Document ID #487449.
PARTS INFORMATION
maybe this is what you are talking about. Also it may be where the intermediate shaft of steering column connects which they recommend lubing it then putting it back on