My 06 SS 2.4 is having trouble with the steering wheel returning to center when turning, if turned past the 3 o'clock position to the right or 9 o'clock position to the left. I have to steer it and it feels kind of "heavy." Small steering corrections like with freeway driving feel fine.

I took the wheels off and took the tie rod ends off the knuckle on each side so the rack wouldn't be connected to anything and the steering wheel is really hard to turn at the 3 and 9 position. It's almost like it turns hard then gets past a tight spot then turns easy again until the next tight spot. And it is actually quite hard to turn the wheel past the tight spots.

I'm thinking it's probably the rack but maybe a u joint in the intermediate shaft? Would the intermediate shaft act like that or does it just do the infamous clunk? Anyone replace a rack in a cobalt before? How much misery is involved?

 

I have the same issue. i ordered the intermideiate shaft a few days ago, came in yesterday. its cheaper and faster to change, and it should get rid of that rattle over bumps. I have a feeeling its the U Joint in the Steering Shaft.

to change the rack, it seems that lowering the subframe would be the easiest.

 

I had the same problem with mine. It got to the point where it wouldnt recentre so I "cleaned" the U joints on the intermediate shaft with PB blaster and relubed it just to see if it was the intermediate shaft. Problem was immediately gone and hasnt returned 1 1/2 years and 45,000 km later. Starting to feel some loosness in the steering now so I will likely replace the intermediate shaft when the nicer weather comes.

 

HI there

I realized this is an old post.

What was your issue?