So I've had a very noticable and annoying rattle/knock/vibration in the steering column of my 05 Pursuit since pretty well a month after I got it. I have had the car into the dealer 3 times prior to last week where they replaced the steering column among other things each time to no avail, the problem still existed.

The third time it was "fixed", I called GM directly to see if there is anything else that can be done since the dealer told me they can't/wont do anything else until GM comes out with a proper fix for the problem. Tech support at GM said they would get back to me.

So anyway, 2-3 weeks ago I installed my 17" rims/tires...keep that in mind.

Last Monday(July 16) I get a call from the dealer saying GM has a fix for it and wants me to bring the car in Tuesday morning and leave it with them for a couple/few days if needed. They gave me a rental on Tuesday and said they'd call me when It was fixed. Thursday I get a call saying it's not ready yet, they've replaced X number of things and its still there. I was then told there was an engineer from GM coming down from the mainland on Friday to work on it and they would call me when it was done on Friday. Friday I get a call saying they have the problem fixed but they want to keep the car for another day or so to do some more test drives to make sure it doesn't reoccur.

So today, Monday I call again and get transferred to the service manager as soon as I mention my name/car to the service advisor. He proceeds to tell me the problem is fixed but they want to do some more test drives today and it might be ready this evening. Perfect I thought. 2 minutes later he calls be back and says they have a set of stock 15" wheels put on the car and that I have to go for a test drive with him and attest to the fact that with the factory size wheels, the problem is gone. Apparently this came from the GM engineer who did the work on the car. Because my tires are wider, they want me to acknowledge that the problem is gone while the stock size tires are on the car. I proceeded to mention that those tires have only been on the car a few weeks(remember above? Razz) and the problem has been ongoing to 2 years!...he said he knows but they still want me to go for a test drive for that purpose.

Anyways, a VERY long story short.....I was busy at work when I spoke to him and couldn't really get into much detail at the time. Do you guys think they are implying that if the problem reoccurs when my 17" wheels are put back on that they are not going to warranty the issue again? The vehicle has 44000KM on it and the problem has been there since 2500KM. I think they are trying to use my aftermarket wheels as a scapegoat to having to warrant the problem if it comes back down the road. Like I said, I didn't have time to ask him these specifics today, I will tomorrow morning, but I just wanted some of your opinions on whether that is there intention.

I don't really give two sh*ts either way because it's a lease and they are getting the car back in 2 years anyway, just curious is all.

 

lol bump

 

Seems like they don't want to pay for warranty work.

 

lets us know what the f...... they did to fix the problem so we can all be happy! lol

 

Well, that could be the case. You most certainly could have a bad wheel. Take them off, get them road-force balanced and rotate them back on.

 

Halfcent: The wheels were put on last week. The problem started 2 years ago. It's not the wheels.

zzzzzzzzzzz: I got the car back today. I do not have the entire list of parts, I am waiting on the GM engineer to fax them to the dealer for me. I can give you some that I know if...my car was an 05...all the parts listed below are 07 model parts.

steering column
i-shaft
tierods
struts
springs
control arms
steering knuckle
and more

All of those parts plus some others were replaced with brand new 07 parts. The noise/rattle is 100% fixed. It took probably $10000CDN in parts/labour to do it.

 

holy crap!!! batman lol.

i will have meeting with gm guy soon and i hope i get a new suspension to lol cause if he tells me that after he drives my car its normal im going to remove his eye ***** from his head

tierods ok why would they replace them ?

im going to print all this **** and take it with me so he cant say it all in my head

 

Tie rods physically connect the front wheels to the steering, so if a rod end is bad, that can vibrate.

My steering vibration issue ended up being bad brake rotors. It was super weird, because at ambient temperture, they were true and did not vibrate. It was only after they heated up that they would warp out of shape. And it was so bad that even when the brakes where not applied, they would still shake the wheel. That's why I didn't think it was the brakes for the longest time, because how often is a rotor that screwed up?

 

zzzzzzzz: If you want, I can PM you the complete list of parts when I get it from GM. I requested it for the very reason of wanting to be able to let everyone else with a G5/Cobalt know what it took to get the problem fixed.

Halfcent: I get the same vibration from the rotors on occasion as well....only under very hard driving and breaking conditions...like the ones I experienced yesterday after having no car for over a week I'm planning to replace mine with drilled rotors this month.

 

I have the shaking problem as well. I have 85k on my car though already lol.
I'm going to replace my rotors and pads and doing my strauts. Hopefully it fixes my car. The dealer didn't want to deal with my probelm till my warrenty ran out, then they figured out the problem magically, so I do all my own work now

 

I have a clicking noise also when I shift from 1st to 2nd and let of gas.
I have taking it to 2 stealership and they never hear the sound....BS they dont
It only happens when the car gets warmed up pretty much.

I think my problem is the axle shaft clicking.
Hey this is what I will do!!
When they go BOOM they will be replacing more than axle shafts the way I look at it.
Who know where the axles will go when they go BOOM.

These car are real POS and ive been real unhappy with it and its problems
Just had the gun metal rims repainted that was the 1st problem and now this BS.
32000 this car should not have this many problems and I do not beat on this car like I do my 93 corvette.

Chevy you created a real winner here....NOT!!!!!

Ps mine a early 2006 ss\sc

 

if one of your rotors was bent even a little your stearing column would defiantly shake.

 

It has to do with steering rack calibration and how the steering motor works and its effort of output. Fot those that have changed wheels and tires.

Bold topics of intrest below...


The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a reference guide for the technician to upgrade a vehicle from factory wheels and tires to 16" wheels and tires, which are available through GM Accessories. This guide will cover tires, wheels, vehicle modifications, and warranty information.

Tires
GM offers three tires to be used in conjunction with the 16" accessory wheels (See chart below for required tires). All tires have a Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) spec of #1130 MS, which meets or exceeds all Federal safety guidelines.

When mounting the tires, rubber lubricant, P/N 12345884 (in Canada, P/N 5728223), MUST be used. The vehicle should not be driven aggressively (hard acceleration or braking) for at least 6-8 hours after tire mounting to allow the lubricant to dry. Failure to do so may cause the tire to slip on the rim. This condition will affect wheel balance which could result in a vibration.

Vehicle
Model Year(s)
Required Tires

Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac Pursuit, Pontiac G4
2005-2006
Pirelli P6 Four Seasons P205/55R16 89H AL3, GM P/N 19110292

Saturn ION
2004-2005
Firestone Firehawk GTA P205/55R16 89H AL3, GM P/N 89031303

Saturn ION
2006
Hankook P205/55R16 89H AL3 Optimo H725A, GM P/N 19145856

Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5
2007
Hankook P205/55R16 89H AL3 Optimo H725A, GM P/N 19160963

or

Pirelli P6 Four Seasons P205/55R16 89H AL3, GM P/N 19110292

Saturn ION
2007
Hankook P205/55R16 89H AL3 Optimo H725A, GM P/N 19145856


Valve Stems
When installing accessory wheels, new valve stems should also be installed.

Wheels
Center Cap
Notice: Attempting to "hammer on" the caps may result in damage to the cap.

Install the center cap onto the wheel after the tire has been mounted and balanced, but BEFORE the assembly is installed onto the vehicle. The preferred method for center cap installation is by hand. As an alternate, use a non-metallic object to push the center cap into place.

Wheel (Lug) Nuts




ALUMINUM WHEELS REQUIRE SPECIAL WHEEL NUTS. Each wheel nut should be tightened to 140 Nˇm (100 lb ft) using the tightening sequence illustrated above. The torque should be re-checked after the first 160 km (100 mi). To help protect the wheels from theft, a wheel lock kit is also available.

Caution: : Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts may cause the wheel to become loose and even come off. This could lead to an accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.

Care/Cleaning
Use soap, hot water and a 100% cotton cloth to clean and polish the new wheels. If using a wheel cleaner, be sure to select one that will not harm the wheel surface, such as GM Chrome and Wire Wheel Cleaner, P/N 1052929 (in Canada, use P/N 10953202). Avoid car washes that use carbide tipped brushes, as these may damage the wheel's finish. Periodically clean the backside of the wheel to remove road grime, brake dust and grease.

Balancing
Use MC-style balance weights on the inboard rim and stick-on weights mounted on the outboard-center of the rim (behind the spokes).

Vehicle Modifications
Important: Vehicle modifications listed below are only required when 16" wheels are installed on vehicles originally equipped with 15" wheels. No changes are required when installing 16" wheels on vehicles originally equipped with 16" wheels.

PCM
Important: : For proper vehicle operation and to ensure coverage under the provisions of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, the vehicle must be reprogrammed with the correct calibration as soon as the Accessory Wheels are installed.

It will be necessary to reprogram the PCM for speedometer accuracy. Failure to do so will result in the speedometer reading lower than the actual vehicle speed.

For 2004-2006 model year vehicles, use the Service Programming System (SPS) and select the correct tire size (QMF-P205/55R16) and transmission type to obtain the correct calibration.

For 2007 model year vehicles, use the Service Programming System (SPS) and contact Techline (1-800-828-6860 [English] or 1-800-503-3222 [French]) to obtain a VCI number.

BCM
It is necessary to perform a BCM set-up programming procedure to optimize the vehicle steering calibration. Failure to do so may result in a condition of "stiff" or "loose" steering, depending on the position of the steering wheel sweep.

After initiating the BCM set-up procedure with the Tech 2Ž, select "Change Options" then "Select Wheel Size". The wheel size selections will then be displayed. Note that the current wheel size and tire RPO (15" QTU) will be highlighted. The new wheel size and tire RPO (16" QMF) should then be selected from the list to program the correct calibration. Select "Save Options" on each of the remaining screens until completed.

Important: : If original equipment tires/wheels are reinstalled, it will be necessary to reset the programming of the PCM and BCM modules to the original specifications.

Tire Label
After installing the recommended P205/55R16 tires, place the provided tire label on the vehicle. The new tire label should be located within the red box, over the top of the original tire label found on the door jam. To locate the label within the red box use the upper and left hand edge of the red line as a guide. When properly placed, the new tire label will obscure the original tire information. Be sure that the surface is clean and dry. The surface temperature should not be less than 21°C (65°F). The label is provided as a guide for tire inflation pressures.

Calibration Information Documentation
Make a copy of the "Accessory Wheel and Tire Information Form" included in this bulletin.
Provide all information required on the form.
Make a copy of the completed form for the customer to keep in the vehicle along with their Owner's Manual.
File the original completed form in the Dealership's Vehicle Service History folder.
Warranty Information
Wheels
Part and labor expense to install GM Accessory Wheels as well as labor to program any affected modules "IS NOT" covered under the terms of the Bumper to Bumper Warranty. All GM Accessories sold and permanently installed on a GM vehicle PRIOR to new vehicle delivery will be covered under the provisions of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

For the U.S., in the event GM Accessories are installed AFTER new vehicle delivery, or are replaced under the new vehicle warranty, they will be covered (parts and labor) for the balance of the vehicle warranty, but in no event less than 12 months/12,000 miles. This coverage is only effective for GM Accessories permanently installed by a GM dealer or a GM approved ADI (Accessory Distributor / Installer).

For Canada, in the event GM Accessories are installed AFTER new vehicle delivery, they will be covered (parts and labor) for the balance of the vehicle warranty, or up to 12 months/unlimited kilometers depending on month installed. For replacement after the new vehicle warranty expires, but within the 12 months/unlimited kilometers coverage, refer to claim type "B" guidelines.

GM Accessories sold over-the-counter, or those not requiring installation, will continue to receive the standard GM Dealer Parts Warranty of 12 months from the date of purchase (parts only).

Tires
Any approved tire installed on a GM Vehicle PRIOR to delivery will be covered under the provisions of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Tires are covered against defects in material and workmanship. Tires are warranted for defects "without" prorated charge for tread mileage. Subsequent replacements under this warranty will continue to be covered for the remainder of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Any approved tire installed on a GM Vehicle PRIOR to delivery may continue to be warranted on a prorated basis by the tire manufacturer once the New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires.

Any approved tire installed AFTER delivery will be covered under the provisions of the tire manufacturer warranty.

USA dealers should refer to GM Warranty Administration Bulletin 00-03-10-003I and GM Parts Process / Policy Bulletin IB03-001 for more information.

Canadian dealers should refer to GM Warranty Administration Bulletin 01-03-10-003C.

GM Warranty Claims Processing
Only GM dealerships have the ability to file warranty claims for GM Parts and Accessories. Therefore, any warranty claims filed against such parts must be handled by the servicing GM dealership. This includes those parts purchased from a GM-approved ADI (Accessory Distributor / Installer).

ACCESSORY WHEEL AND TIRE INFORMATION FORM
You have just modified your vehicle by installing an "Accessory Package" which includes Wheels and Tires. This form contains important information about your accessory installation. In an effort to provide superior service to you, our customer, we ask that you please present this form to your Servicing Dealer when removing or installing wheels and tires on your vehicle. This form contains important information necessary to service your vehicle.

 

just to clear up any confusion, did you have this problem before you installed your new rims and tires?