i know you said it doesnt feel like a steering shaft clunk but the only tsb i could find is this:
Subject:Clunk Felt/Noise Heard From Steering Column, Steering Gear and/or Front Of Vehicle During Turning Maneuver and/or Steering Wheel Rotation (Replace Intermediate Shaft As Directed)
Models:2001-2004 Buick Regal
2005-2008 Buick Allure (Canada Only), LaCrosse
2000-2008 Chevrolet Impala
2000-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2004-2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2008 Buick LaCrosse/Allure. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-02-32-001O (Section 02 -- Steering).
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=2370686&releaseDate=2009-11-25&name=Clunk+Felt%2FNoise+Heard+from+Steering+Col umn%2C+Steering+Gear+and%2For+Front+of+Vehicle+dur ing+Turning+Maneuver+and%2For+Steering+Wheel+Rotat ion+%28Replace+Interme#tab1-2370686">Corrective Action Summary:
Model Year
Vehicle Line
Corrective Action
2001-2004
Buick Regal
Replace using P/N 19179922
2005-2006
Buick Allure/LaCrosse
(built PRIOR to January 1, 2006)
Replace using P/N 25829292
2006-2008
Buick Allure/LaCrosse
(built AFTER to January 1, 2006)
Replace using P/N 25828562
2000-2005
Chevrolet Impala
Replace using P/N 19179923
2006-2008
Chevrolet Impala
Replace using P/N 25937479
2000-2005
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Replace using P/N 19179922
2006-2007
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Replace using P/N 25913680
1998-2002
Oldsmobile Intrigue
Replace using P/N 19179922
2004-2008
Pontiac Grand Prix
Replace using P/N 25913680
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=2370686&releaseDate=2009-11-25&name=Clunk+Felt%2FNoise+Heard+from+Steering+Col umn%2C+Steering+Gear+and%2For+Front+of+Vehicle+dur ing+Turning+Maneuver+and%2For+Steering+Wheel+Rotat ion+%28Replace+Interme#ss2-2370686">
Condition
Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from the front of the vehicle while driving during a turning maneuver. This condition may also be felt through the steering wheel when the vehicle is stationary and the wheel is rotated from steering stop to steering stop. Some vehicles may only exhibit the noise once for every 360° of wheel rotation. On all other vehicles, this clunk noise will be noticed during low speed acceleration or deceleration, typically in light turns of the steering wheel or when applying/releasing the brakes.
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=2370686&releaseDate=2009-11-25&name=Clunk+Felt%2FNoise+Heard+from+Steering+Col umn%2C+Steering+Gear+and%2For+Front+of+Vehicle+dur ing+Turning+Maneuver+and%2For+Steering+Wheel+Rotat ion+%28Replace+Interme#ss3-2370686">Cause
This condition may be caused by a "slip stick" condition of the steering intermediate shaft resulting in the clunk noise or feel through the steering wheel.
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=2370686&releaseDate=2009-11-25&name=Clunk+Felt%2FNoise+Heard+from+Steering+Col umn%2C+Steering+Gear+and%2For+Front+of+Vehicle+dur ing+Turning+Maneuver+and%2For+Steering+Wheel+Rotat ion+%28Replace+Interme#ss4-2370686">Diagnostic Tip
Important: This condition is commonly misdiagnosed as originating in the steering gear and has resulted in the replacement of numerous steering gears without correcting the concern.
Attempt to duplicate the customer's concern and isolate the I-shaft by following the procedure below:
- <LI type=1>Locate a large area (parking lot) where the vehicle can be turned in a tight circle. <LI type=1>Turn the steering wheel to the right and/or left all the way to the steering lock, then off the steering lock a 1/4 turn. <LI type=1>Drive the vehicle approximately 5 km/h (3 mph) in a circle, preferably over rough pavement or seams on the road surface. <LI type=1>Drive the vehicle straight ahead at idle speed while applying and releasing the brake pedal. Listen/feel the steering wheel for the clunk/noise condition.
- If a clunk is felt in the steering wheel, the MOST likely cause is the I-shaft -- not the steering gear. Continue with the correction.
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=2370686&releaseDate=2009-11-25&name=Clunk+Felt%2FNoise+Heard+from+Steering+Col umn%2C+Steering+Gear+and%2For+Front+of+Vehicle+dur ing+Turning+Maneuver+and%2For+Steering+Wheel+Rotat ion+%28Replace+Interme#ss5-2370686">Correction
DO THIS
DON'T DO THIS
Replace the intermediate shaft
DO NOT lube the intermediate shaft.
Replace the existing intermediate shaft using the service procedure found in Service Information.
<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=2370686&releaseDate=2009-11-25&name=Clunk+Felt%2FNoise+Heard+from+Steering+Col umn%2C+Steering+Gear+and%2For+Front+of+Vehicle+dur ing+Turning+Maneuver+and%2For+Steering+Wheel+Rotat ion+%28Replace+Interme#ss6-2370686">Parts Information
Part Number
Description
19179922
Shaft -- Steering Gear Coupling
'01-'04 Buick Regal
'00-'05 Chev Monte Carlo
'98-'02 Olds Intrigue
19179923
Shaft -- Steering Gear Coupling
'00-'05 Chev Impala
25913680
Shaft -- Steering Gear Coupling
'06-'07 Chev Monte Carlo
'04-'08 Pont Grand Prix
25937479
Shaft -- Steering Gear Coupling
'06-'08 Chev Impala
25829292
Shaft -- Steering Gear Coupling '05-'06 Buick Allure and LaCrosse vehicles built PRIOR to January 1, 2006
25828562
Shaft -- Steering Gear Coupling ’06-'08 Buick Allure and LaCrosse vehicles built AFTER January 1, 2006
09-07-2011
