I've taken my 2007 Cobalt to two separate dealerships with the same problem. Last time I had it in I had them check it out for the problems I notice, this was at the time of the PS recall.
First problem that is really starting to bother me is the steering clunking loudly when turning it for a right turn or a sharp left turn, just as it is close to one full rotation. They made the excuse of it is normal sounds for the electric steering and I wasn't used to it yet. It obviously isn't that, and you can feel the clunk in the wheel as you turn. I told them to check all bushings, and got the typical response of could not duplicate. What the hell is wrong here? What should I do...it is still under warranty for like 5,000 more miles and I want this fixed before it is up.
The other problem is a loud chatter on start up. It lasts for about 4 seconds, almost sounds like a clutch chatter. Got the obvious response of could not duplicate when I took it to them. I couldn't get it to do it when I started it for them, but once I got home...it sure as hell did it. Could it be a clutch chatter? It comes from the driver side of the motor, and sounds like a very loud lifter when it does it, but surely isn't that.
Any advice on how to approach the ignorance of the dealership? Or what should I go and check?
Call GM customer cares or whatever the hell its called. Those @!#$ made me fix many vehicles, that were way out of warranty, as warranty cars. Complain enough and you will probably get it fixed, just dont get rude with them.
Well after researching more, could it be the steering shaft?
I just want them to go and check it out more in depth. But they see me as the dumb kid that doesn't know anything about cars, and give me excuses.
Their excuse for the the slight chatter was, the oiling system on startup....which is complete bs.
The slip joint in the steering shaft is seized. It will cause a clunk when turning as the joint is forced out of place. Common Cobalt issue, reqiures shaft replacement. I've noticed if the vehicle is driven for a while, sometimes the shaft frees up enough for the clunk to go away, maybe why dealer couldn't duplicate.
I am a gm master front end tech the problem you are having is the steering column assembly they are junk the lower bearing inside the column goes to hell. i have done many of these repairs trust me it needs a steering column there is even a service bullitten for this. sounds like that dealership needs better techs.p.s. tell them to replace the i shaft for the hell of it.
http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/jaredsz24/thumbnail_personal_pic.jpg
Ask the dealership about bulletin 04-03-08-006D Condition #4. Clunk type noise during turning maneuver. Caused by inadequate lubrication of the steering intermediate shaft. The part # of the Intermediate Steering Shaft is 15800140. Warranty Labor Operation E7700. Good luck.
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NCR-SCCA
Thanks a ton guys! Hopefully this will help persuade them to fix the damn thing.
Any idea on the chatter sound?
