I have noticed noises coming from under the car, toward the passenger side wheel more than the drivers, but it kinda sounds like a popping, clunking,gringing noise. I took it to the dealer, who changed the passenger side strut mount. That didn't help the problem, as the sound was consistant with the rotation of the wheel. So I dealt with it for a week, until today. I finally got under the car, as opposed to checking at the wheel and discovered a leak. The leak is coming from the inner boot on the driver side tie rod, where it meets a long cylinder ( I think this is the Intermediate Steering Shaft, but I'm not sure). The car is scheduled to come in again for service Tuesday, when I plan on showing them the leak, but I also read somewhere that there was a TSB from Chevy about the 5th generation Monte Carlos, Impala, Silverados, and others about the ISS leaking out all the fluid. Does anyone know if this is the problem? I will try to get a photo of it first thing in the AM, but I'm going to try and show them in service, so I can have them order the correct parts. Any advise would be useful. Thanks!

 

If the sound is constant with the rotation of the tire I would bet it has nothing to do with the steering unit. Sounds more like a CV joint issue to me. The ISS is actually the knuckle that connects your steering wheel shaft to the rack. The problem was due to the lack of lubricant from the factory and plain ole poor design.


Seems kinda odd for a 2005 to have CV issues though..... Are you sure it's the rack boot and not the CV boot that is leaking?

 

I'm positive, I've changed man CV joints before, this is coming from the rack book. I can't seem to find the power steering reservoir for this car either. Please bare in mind that this car is new to me, it was a Demo Car I bought from the dealer. Had 3K when I got it. Seems to be leaking power steering fluid. Where can I at least fill it?

 

dang bro, I feel for you having so many problems so soon. Hopefully you get it all worked out. I'm just astounded that the dealer did the repair they did, which is pretty clearly a guess as to what the problem was. That sucks.

 

The powersteering unit is a PITA to get to and best to get at from underneath the car, the unit is located near the firewall on the passenger side.