Strange sound in steering wheel

[jeffmi]

Erik,

While I appreciate what you are saying, every car will have its issue my bigger issue is with Suzuki itself.

If you are reading simply this forum alone, you can see that the steering rack is not just affecting one or two people. I don't disagree that this could very possibly be a bad seal, however I do disagree that it most likely wouldn't kill someone. From reading these forums you can see that many dealers are telling people that this is a cosmetic problem, not mechanical. We both know that this is a down out lie, seeing how you have dealers replacing them and the problem goes away. My fear is someone will be told its simply a sound and nothing is wrong, then have their teenager, wife, etc who may not be the best driver in the world take a high speed turn on a on ramp and loose the power steering completely. If this was to occur and the driver wasn't quick enough to respond in the turn, then you could very well roll the truck.

I understand that this product is a GM part, however it is Suzuki's issue to resolve with GM. From your experience you know that the manufacture is held in contract by law to carry parts for these car, however I still can't get one. IMHO, if Suzuki gave a damn about their customers or future business for that matter they would step up and do whats right which is resolve the issues with these cars instead of simply denying there are any problems.

[zstalker]

Originally Posted by jeffmi

Erik,

While I appreciate what you are saying, every car will have its issue my bigger issue is with Suzuki itself.

If you are reading simply this forum alone, you can see that the steering rack is not just affecting one or two people. I don't disagree that this could very possibly be a bad seal, however I do disagree that it most likely wouldn't kill someone. From reading these forums you can see that many dealers are telling people that this is a cosmetic problem, not mechanical. We both know that this is a down out lie, seeing how you have dealers replacing them and the problem goes away. My fear is someone will be told its simply a sound and nothing is wrong, then have their teenager, wife, etc who may not be the best driver in the world take a high speed turn on a on ramp and loose the power steering completely. If this was to occur and the driver wasn't quick enough to respond in the turn, then you could very well roll the truck.

I understand that this product is a GM part, however it is Suzuki's issue to resolve with GM. From your experience you know that the manufacture is held in contract by law to carry parts for these car, however I still can't get one. IMHO, if Suzuki gave a damn about their customers or future business for that matter they would step up and do whats right which is resolve the issues with these cars instead of simply denying there are any problems.

Fair enough. As for the noise concern, many dealerships haven't come across this concern, I just came across the first steering rack that needs to be replaced very recently, 3 years into the model run...so some dealers may be lying to the customers, others may believe the noise is merely a squeaking seal on the firewall or the clockspring, both of which can make nearly the same noise. Not defending the lying service departments (they make me as mad as they make you), just playing devil's advocate.
For the concern about the rack being on backorder, yes, Suzuki is responsible to supply the part. When the part is made by a parts supplier who is GM affiliated and currently at a standstill, "on backorder" is the best that can be arranged unless they are seeking another supplier for the part...that's up to the corperate parts department. Suzuki is certainly interested in getting their cars fixed, the dealership(s) you've been to might not be interested in helping. Possibly call Suzuki's corperate customer service and see if they can intervene by possibly arranging for another dealer somewhere else to ship one they have in stock (if any are available).
...not meaning to jab at you, just trying to ease some misunderstanding if I can.
~Erik~

[jeffmi]

Erik,

Thanks for the reply. You said that you have recently changed a rack, can I ask was this due to this strange sound? The issue we have other than the sound is the wheel is not recoiling back after a turn, so I am thinking maybe just the power assist is gone?

I am starting to wonder if I show just order a refurb'd rack since its not covered by warranty anyways. Do you have any thoughts?

Thanks,
Jeff

[zstalker]

well, actually said that I had one that needed the rack replaced...the rack is, you guessed it, on backorder indefinately for the time being. The squeaking/groaning noise was the concern on that car. With the car slightly raised so the wheels had no contact with the ground (eliminate tire noise), the steering wheel back and forth would make the noise, but the moment the engine was turned off (still moving the steering wheel back and forth) the noise was gone entirely. Perhaps coming from the valving in the rack itself while fluid is moving in it.
As for a reman rack, since you're outside the comprehensive warranty anyways I can't see any reason not to use one, if they're available. If the rack was used on other GM cars (likely), it may be available, but if not, they might not be out there yet. Rock Auto lists a reman for just over $400+S&H, so a little cheaper (maybe not, after shipping), but not a whole lot. Might just end up being a time concern: which do you need sooner?
Something else to consider: If you're still within the 3-year time period and only slightly outside the 36k miles limit sometimes manufacturers can bend the rules a little and offer to at least help with the part replacement...something else to take up with Suzuki customer service hotline. Doesn't hurt to ask; I got a friend of mine an offer to pay 50% of the bill for her Honda Oddysey transmission, and she was at 120,000 miles...all because Honda knew they've had issues with that transmission.
~Erik~

[BRF]

Well, unfortunately this noise problem is happening to my XL7 also. I had guessed it was the rack, I had the same problem and noise on a 95 Dodge Caravan, only after 5 years of ownership, and 80,000+ miles. My XL7 currently has 42,000 miles on it, 2 1/2 years.

Another major problem, local dealer has gone out of business. Maintenance locally has been handed over to the Hyundai, whonm I do't trust at all. They have a repeutation of way overpricing their vehicles. I have never dealt with the amintenance dep't. Looks like I'm gonna find out.

[PDbrains]

It was making a rubbing/scraping noise while still under warranty. Dealer did not find anything wrong as the noise was intermittent. This summer the truck started making the noise all of the time. Unfortunately I now have 54k miles on it. Just went outside to check if the noise was there with the engine not running. It made lots of noises when turned back and forth, but not the scraping noise. Started the car and no rubbing/scraping noise. Whats up with that?

[BRF]

I should add to this also.

My previous experience with the Dodge is drive as little as possible before you get the rack replaced. The extra power required to turn the wheels comes from the pwer steering pump. As the rack gets worse, it stresses the PS pump, and it will have to be replaced also. I know that doesn't help the folks who have no other option for driving, but that is my experience. Luckily I have an older car for my son I can drive.

I called the dealer, and sure enough, there is a backlog of parts on order. They don't know when they can get them in. $600 (US) or so for parts alone. My guess is another $300 for labor at the minimum.

[BRF]

PD,
NEVER accept from a dealer for a warranty car that it is "intermittant" and nothing to worry about.

You have very few rights as a consumer, but when dealing with warranty, you have some.

My wife had a Pontiac Grand Prix, and it started doing funny things when placed into drive after start up. It didn't seem to happen after it was warmed up. Sometimes it happened when placuing into park. The local dealer couldn't find anything wrong with it. Nothing to worry about. 3 weeks later we took it back in, again they couldn't duplicate the failure.

Simple, we told them to let one of their mechanics drive it back and forth to work for a week, see if they could find it then. On the third day we got the call, they would be replacing the tranmission the next day. It had 25,000 miles on it. We traded it in a month later for an Acura.

Make them drive your car if you feel it is an unsafe condition. They will come around when it is their butt in the seat.

[cycletodd]

My suzuki has 38,000 miles and started making that zip tie closing noise about a 1000 miles ago, I thought it was just some plastic rubbing against the steering wheel, now i am concerned its the rack and I'm just over the warrenty period. Has any found out for definite its the rack????
Thanks!!

[BRF]

If it is a low volume, high pitched noise as you turn the wheel, most likely it is the rack. Take it to the dealer to make certain. If they say they can't hear it, let the drive it for a day or two, (without the radio on) as I noted above.