car is 2001 Cavalier with 180K km. (110K miles)
I am fighting against the famous clunk noise coming from the front...
Recently control arm bushing and sway bar links were replaced. Strut mounts were also replaced as well.
However there is still one last type of clunk to get rid of...
I've visited 2 mechanics, they inspected suspension carefully but could not find anything broken, loose etc.
Then I remembered reading on forums about the TSB on Intermediate shaft requiring lubrication.. I took a visit to the GM dealer.
The service advisor recommended getting the repair done, but the price they want to charge was very high... almost $300 CDN
I want to know if the service is worth the money and time..
On the internet, I see American customers getting the same work done for about $100, why is it extremely higher in Canada?
hehe...shaft......hehe...lube
My car may run 18s, but I can do your taxes in 10 seconds flat.
JBO lube - they would never have enough in stock and we'd never see RodimusPrime again
That TSB was a clunking in the steering shaft at low speeds when turning lock-to-lock. I had my '99 "fixed" three times and each "fix" lasted for 2-4 weeks then the clunk was back. My vote, if I had to pay for it, I wouldn't do it.
I personally am more curious about your clunking you have fixed already. My '99 has all kinds of clunks and noises from the front end when pulling into a parking spot or my driveway. It drives perfectly, just makes funny noises at low speeds sometimes. I am guessing my front strut mounts need to be replaced, but really have no clue.
Wind:
Forget the dealer, they are usually way too expensive.
I don't have an intermediate shaft, but I have had both my drive lines re-done for under $100.00 CAN each. The place was "Euro-Drive" in Burlington, Ontario.
Any large city should have a service like this, it is a speciality shop that mechanics sent all their speciality work to (clutches, drive lines, TBI cleaning etc.) stuff that requires too many special tools and equipment that aren't justified by a small shop. The price should be much more reasonable then what a dealer charges because they have to compete somewhat for business rather that the dealer which just gets every Joe walking in the door with no place else to go (the dealer will take the part off and send it to the same place, then charge you markup for their time, delivery etc.).
Hey wind: Have you installed poly mounts?. Or you got the stock ones? Sometimes the lower upper rubber mount underneath the the metal bracket (square size) is cracked or split, It will cause clunks as well.
Mine was doing this when I bought my car a little less than a year ago. I used some motorcycle chain lube in a aerosol spray can that I have with the little straw attached to spray the lube down into the intermediate shaft after pulling the rubber boot out of the way. I did this a couple times, but haven't messed with it in months and the car no longer clunks.
