Rattle Noise from Front of Vehicle or Clunk Felt in Steering Wheel While Driving on Rough Roads (Adjust Steering Gear Preload) - Mexico Only

Some customers may comment that while driving over certain rough road conditions, they hear a rattle noise from the front end of the vehicle. Some customers may also comment that they feel clunking in the steering wheel while hearing the noise.

Follow the service procedure below to correct this condition.

1. Set the steering wheel in a straight ahead position.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information (SI Document ID #995301).
3. Remove both front tire assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels (SI Document ID #1219741).




Important: Hold the ball stud in order to prevent turning during removal of the nut.

4. Remove the tie rod to knuckle nut.




Notice : Do not free the ball stud by using a pickle fork or a wedge-type tool. Damage to the seal or bushing may result.

5. Use the SA91100C to separate the tie rod from the steering knuckle.




Important: Do not allow the stabilizer link ball stud to rotate while removing the link nut.

6. Remove the stabilizer link to stabilizer bar nut.
7. Remove the stabilizer link from the bar.
8. Rotate the stabilizer bar upward.
9. Remove the pinch bolt from the lower intermediate shaft to the steering gear shaft.
10. Remove the lower intermediate shaft from the steering gear.
11. Remove the two bolts retaining the steering gear to the frame.
12. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.

Notice:  ONLY clamp the steering gear in a vise on one of the gear mounting ears. Failure to clamp the gear in this location may cause damage to the gear.

13. Mount the steering gear in a vise by clamping the vise on one of the gear mounting ears.

Important: 

•	ONLY use a 14 mm open end crows foot with a newton meter torque wrench when measuring the steering gear preload.

•	Measure the preload before making any adjustments to the steering gear.

14. Measure the steering gear preload by rotating the stub shaft back and forth in a +/- 45° rotation from center using a 14 mm open end crows foot and a newton meter torque wrench . Measure the steering gear preload prior to making an adjustment.



15. Using the J 35467-2, hold the adjuster plug and loosen the lock nut with a large adjustable wrench, or equivalent.



16. Tighten the adjuster plug using the J 35467-2 while turning the stub shaft with a 14 mm open end crows foot in a back and forth movement in a +/-45° rotation from center.

Preload Specification
Adjust the steering gear preload to 1.5 N·m - 2.0 N·m (13.2 lb in - 17.7 lb in)

17. While holding the adjuster plug with the J-35467-2, tighten the lock nut using a large adjustable wrench, or equivalent.

Tighten
Tighten the adjuster lock nut to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).

18. Remeasure the steering gear preload after tightening the lock nut to make sure the preload did not change while tightening the locking nut.
19. Reinstall the steering gear in the vehicle.
20. Install the two steering gear mounting bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).

21. Connect the stabilizer links the stabilizer shaft and install the nut.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 65 N·m (48 lb ft).

22. Connect the outer tie rod ends to the knuckles.
23. Using the J 44015 , seat the ball stud taper to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).
24. Remove the J 44015 and install a new nut.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

25. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels (SI Document ID #1219741).
26. Lower the vehicle.

General Motors Special Tools can be purchased by calling SPX of Mexico at (552) 5-95-16-30.

This labor code is for GM of Mexico dealers only.

This labor code is for bulletin use only.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: