I noticed steering wheel noise this weekend on my Traverse. In parking lots is where I notice it. Its a whirring noise while turning the steering wheel. Sometimes its there, sometimes its not. Really strange. Its not super annoying, but just knowing that its supposed to be quiet, I want to get it checked out.

Keep us posted.

 

SUBSCRIBED TO THIS!

Our 2011 truck makes all sorts of steering wheel racket when first started (no hands on the wheel, wheels orientated front and center, no, not "at steering extents" noises!) and sometimes when just sitting at lights.

It gets really annoying, especially since the rest of the truck is so well behaved and quiet.

I'd love to learn about if they release this as a recall for certain range trucks, or a TSB for "as noticed" trucks suffering from this annoying noise.

Thanks for reporting on this.... can't wait to hear more.

--zepcom

 

Got the car back this morning. The power steering pump part number is 20954812. While the new pump did take care of the power steering pump noise I was having, it still has the whining sound in the steering wheel. They also lubed the horn contacts per DOC 2421074 due to a new clicking noise. Now if you have the steering wheel telescoped out, and push it back in, the horn honks. :banghead: Pretty much as of this point they say there isn't anything else that can be done for the whining noise. It's normal for Traverses. It wasn't making the noises before I took it in for the clicking in the steering wheel. It's probably been in 10 times or more over this or over something the tech did to make other things wrong with it.

Can a class action lawsuit be brought against GM for the steering noises?

 

I would make them replace the entire steering column. I also will not buy it's normal as it didn't do it when you bought it.

I'm going through the same thing now. Had the gasket service bulletin done and no change now the steering gear is being changed out.

I'm sure we will get to the pump next it's starting to get frustrating.

You don't need a class action law suit just become a big pain in their butts and they will buy it back just to get rid of you.

 

The whirling sound I was told is the steering rack, I thought it was something in the column too. Having mine replaced in a couple weeks (part on order) for the second time. It's also combined with a clunk sometimes when you first accelerate from a stop. The clunk was worse the first time, this time its the whirling sound when you turn the wheel a lot.

Have also had the steering pump replaced, but that was within the first few weeks.

 

Sounds to me like GM is chasing the problem and doesn't really know what it is yet.

 

They have replaced the steering column, steering wheel, some type of clock spring (I think that's what it was), the air bags and now the steering pump. This time they did the horn thing. The only thing left is the rack, I believe. They lube it with so much wd-40 stuff that they can't hear it and it smells up the car, of course after driving it a day, the noise is back. It's very frustrating.

 

hno:

Thank you for going through this so that GM can better understand the root cause and come up with a TSB or recall information for the effected trucks.

Your efforts and time spent (errr, wasted?) are much appreciated. Thank you.

--zepcom

 

My steering whines also but now I have a much bigger issue. At times when I turn the steering locks up, I took to dealer and of course nothing is wrong. But something is very wrong, need help before it causes an accident. It mostly locks when I am turning around or just turning at a light.

 

Re: Re: Steering/power steering pump noises...New pump relased by GM

We will be taking our 2011 LT in for this fix in the upcoming weeks.

--zepcom

pls ignor splng; sent from android!

 

Our 2011 will be going in for this as well, but I am waiting until closer to the end of the bumper to bumper warranty. I'll have a nice list of little things by then I'm guessing. We've almost had it a year now.

 

My 09 LTZ was in the shop last week for the whining and
knocking sound and they replaced the rack and both sounds
were gone but the next morning the knocking came back
so it's back in the shop and I get it back tommorow, we'll
see what they tell me...

 

Dear tipone01,

Did you get your Traverse back from the dealership? If so, what information did they provide you with about your situation? Were they able to get the noises to go away for you for a longer period of time?

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Our 2011 will be going in for this as well, but I am waiting until closer to the end of the bumper to bumper warranty.

If it was me I would take it in sooner rather than later as there is the chance that a supposed repair can fail to hold. Speaking from experience I had the steering rack replaced 3 times due to a re-occurrence of the same symptoms. I would imagine it would be a bit problematic having the repair redone on GM's coin when you are outside of the b2b warranty.

 

Dear tipone01,

Did you get your Traverse back from the dealership? If so, what information did they provide you with about your situation? Were they able to get the noises to go away for you for a longer period of time?

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

Michelle,

I got it back 2 days ago and theytold me they lubed the strut piston rod and so far so good. Overall the steering feels much better, smoother and quite. Thanks.

 

Dear tipone1,

I apologize for the error in my time frame. I am glad that the vehicle is better today.

Please, don't hesitate to contact me in the future.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[/color] I am having the same issue with my 2011 Traverse. The dealership says my noise is "normal". Does anyone know if there is a GM bulletin out for this issue?

 

Most recent one it appears.....
2008-2011
Acadia, Enclave, OUTLOOK, Traverse - Noise when turning steering wheel at slow speeds
do this-After verifying the noise is normal, advise the customer that this noise is not detrimental to the proper and safe operation of the power steering system
dont do this-- Replace any parts for this condition at this time
PI0029D


older ones..
2007-2010
Acadia, Enclave, OUTLOOK, Traverse -- Whine/moan noise from power steering system during low speed maneuver
Perform a thorough bleed of the system
Replace the power steering pump before performing the bleed procedure in the bulletin
10-02-32-002

2008-2011
Acadia, Enclave, OUTLOOK, Traverse - Noise when turning steering wheel at slow speeds
After verifying the noise is normal, advise the customer that this noise is not detrimental to the proper and safe operation of the power steering system
Replace any parts for this condition at this time
PI0029D

 

@julee3abc, have you taken the vehicle to another Chevrolet dealership for another opinion?

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Same problem.. Power Steering Wine

2009 LT1 Traverse 14,000 miles

2010 dealer replaced Rack and Power Steering Pump

2011 dealer replaced Rack twice, another Power Steering Pump, Power steering line mod. (longest its lasted was three weeks)
Car went back in three other times for alignment, shaking, steering wheel not centered (now I'm told that the tires are cupped, steering wheel still shakes interm. and I have alot of tire noise)

 

ohhh alignment...
Havent heard that much on the lambdas.

 

I am taking my 2011 Traverse in on Monday to work on the steering wheel noise. They said something about flushing out the lines, vacuum or something. I am very worried at this point that it will be in the shop all the time working on this issue. Does anyone know if GM has come up with a solution to this? I know some of these posts I have read are from last couple of years, so hoping there has been a better solution at this point. Thanks

 

I am taking my 2011 Traverse in on Monday to work on the steering wheel noise. They said something about flushing out the lines, vacuum or something. I am very worried at this point that it will be in the shop all the time working on this issue. Does anyone know if GM has come up with a solution to this? I know some of these posts I have read are from last couple of years, so hoping there has been a better solution at this point. Thanks

Doubt it. I went for a test run yesterday with a master tech to compare the PS whine on my 09 OUTLOOK vs a 2012 Enclave with 4 miles on the ODO and guess what....it sounded the same.

 

This is terrible that it seems that fixes are not surviving. I do not want to be a tester of "what might work". :banghead:

At 12k on the clock and still power steering whine like day one. Ridiculous.

 

My '09 Outlook has the new power steering pump and steering rack, and it has been updated with Dexron VI fluid (vs. the "standard" GM power steering fluid). According to the WO, the bellows on the Steering Rack was leaking, and the Power Steering Pump had leaking seals. I brought it in because the pump was groaning.

The following P/N's were installed:

20964165 Gear (Power Steering Rack)
22847737 Hose
20954812 Pump

Note: The Dexron VI fluid can only be introduced when the steering rack is replaced, otherwise the pinion seal will be more prone to squeak:

http://www.traverseforum.com/index.php?topic=2373.msg27287;topicseen