Driveshaft problems

WILLO101

MEMBER
2003 BUICK CENTURY
0.5L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
84,166 MILES

I recently got a coolant leak fixed. They also replaced the right driveshaft. When I went to pick up the car the steering was hard to turn and it makes a vibrating noise on the right side when I hit a bump small or large. It also shakes the wheel a bit when I accelerate. So, I brought it back in and the mechanic said it he didn’t see anything wrong with it and it is probably my power steering pump going bad. It was not like this when I dropped it off.

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Something must have been put together wrong. A power steering pump won't cause a vibration when you hit a bump. Is the right side where the axle was replaced? If it was, then really need to recheck their work. Also, was this issue evident prior to the repairs? Is the power steering pump fluid full? Is there any noise from the pump?

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, August 2nd, 2019 AT 8:48 PM

WILLO101

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Yes the front right driveshaft was replaced. There was no issue with the steering, vibrating noise or vibrating in the wheel before the coolant leak repair. When I picked the car up after the coolant leak repair I noticed the wheel was hard to turn. Especially when I turned right. Here are some photos of the work they did. The first photo is for the coolant leak. Second photo is the driveshaft and the third photo is when I came back to tell them the steering was hard to turn and about the rattling sound and they recommended a power steering fluid service instead of replacing the pump. I’m going to go in on Monday when they are opened again but I’m worried they are going to make me look like an idiot again like the other time I went in about the steering being hard. They were like see it turns fine when the car was lifted.

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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 10:22 AM

WILLO101

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I didn’t hear any noise from the pump. There was no problem with the steering. I also have had a problem with them before when they replaced my front 2 routers and brake pads. I picked the car up then and a couple days later I lost all brake function and barely was able to bring it back. Turns out all my brake fluid leaked out and they fixed it for free.

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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 10:24 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Welcome back:

Don't let them make you feel that way. Honestly, no one knows the car better than you, and if there is a difference, you will know. Did they say anything about the vibration?

As far as the steering, if they checked it in the air, there was no load on the pump. Do ma a favor, I didn't know there was a coolant leak or the other work was done. Just take a minuted and inspect the accessory drive belts. Make sure they aren't wet from coolant or loose.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 9:08 PM

WILLO101

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Just picked my car up today and it is all fixed. The owner wasn’t there during the original repair and he drove it when I went back and immediately said there was something wrong with the driveshaft they installed and my Dx coolant reservoir wasn’t properly attached either. He fixed it at no cost to me. No more vibrations or rattling noise! Thank you for all your advise!