Woody woodpecker in steering column??

[newbievueowner]

Woody woodpecker??? This is the rattle I have when I rapidly shake the wheel back and forth about 1/2". It's quite annoying to say the least. I'm thinking intermediate steering shaft or loose bolt on the steering shaft or something. Want to get some other opinions. Hopefully someone has had this same issue and knows exactly what the cause is. I'm hoping that you guys can access this video. :arr:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/91350SS/th_vuerattle008.jpg (http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/91350SS/?action=view&current=vuerattle008.flv)

[Brock4u]

Hmm i didnt listem to it but i get a kinda knock noise when i turn my wheel too, and if i hit a light bump or something it rattles a little but mechanic said everything was tight, i wonder if we are expierencing the same thing...

[newbievueowner]

Maybe, but you should listen to the sound clip first. LOL!

[Brock4u]

I get that sound when im driving, hit the breaks slightly and turn the wheel about 1/2 inch.......only when i driving, when i am at a stop and turn my wheel it just makes one rattle...not even a rattly like a knock...

[aquatechie]

I used to get that sound for years when applying brakes and simultaneously hitting a pothole or some similar pavement deformity. There's no shortage of those here in Baltimore. About 8 months ago, mine turned into a clunking rattle whenever I travel over *any* uneven pavement. My dealer eventually traced it to the electric power steering section of the steering column. The replacement of the EPS assembly was estimated to be in the $1500 neighborhood.

I haven't had the work done yet, so I don't know if it'll solve that problem

[newbievueowner]

That's my same concern, I just don't want to start throwing parts at it only to find out that was not the issue. Especially since the EPS is VERY DAMN expensive! Sure I can hear the rattle in the column but I'm wondering if the knuckle joints on the intermediate shaft have play could this cause the rattle sound to migrate (ie: transfer) from the joint up into the column?

I get this same rattling noise as well when I go over bumps and brake (because the rotors are warped). But I can duplicate it by just shaking the wheel rapidly back a forth a small amount (with the vehicle off).

Someone must have experienced this and knows what the probable cause is?

[VTchemist]

I listened to your clip. It sounds like it may be the electronic steering or a steering related component . I have never heard such rapid sound before. I would not think it is related to the rotors.

The sound is definitely not the "rubber boot" noise that I hear in my VUE in the winter. (The boot is on the firewall, where the column passes through).

I would recommend you get it checked at a shop. If it is a steering component, the last thing you want to have happen is for it to fail. The results could be catastrophic.

If you take it in, let us know what is found. It may be a linkage or the EPS.

[newbievueowner]

It's only that fast of a rattle because that's how fast I'm shaking the wheel, hence the woody woodpecker effect. LOL! It's no where near that bad under normal driving situations but the noise is there.

There is no safety concern, I just want to try and figure out what the real cause is without spending of whole crap load of cash in the process.

[aquatechie]

It's only that fast of a rattle because that's how fast I'm shaking the wheel, hence the woody woodpecker effect. LOL! It's no where near that bad under normal driving situations but the noise is there.

I see there are more common symptoms! I too can duplicate the sound by rapidly turning the steering wheel 10 degrees in either direction. Doing so made me notice my steering alignment is off by 2-3 degrees at the wheel. Either there's too much play in the wheel, or is my front end out of alignment.

That's my same concern, I just don't want to start throwing parts at it only to find out that was not the issue. Especially since the EPS is VERY DAMN expensive! Sure I can hear the rattle in the column but I'm wondering if the knuckle joints on the intermediate shaft have play could this cause the rattle sound to migrate (ie: transfer) from the joint up into the column?

I was getting the same rattle / vibration whenever traveling at 65+ mph. Once I had my intermediate steering column replaced, almost all of the vibration at highway speeds is gone. I can still feel a slight vibration from time to time. In that case, I think my knuckle joints were worn out. However, that rattle generated by low speed bumps & shaking the steering wheel still remains.

There is no safety concern, I just want to try and figure out what the real cause is without spending of whole crap load of cash in the process.

I suspect it's some small component that needs replacing instead of the entire motor & column assembly. Then again, that single failed component could have caused damage to other components as well, hence the recommendation to replace the entire power steering assembly.

My service advisor says there's nothing that will affect the safety of driving the vehicle. It's how much do I determine the sound to be enough of a nuisance that it's worth the expense of replacing parts. I haven't reached that point yet, but it would sure be nice to get rid of that rattle!

[newbievueowner]

, but it would sure be nice to get rid of that rattle!
That it would :yes:

[Brock4u]

When i hit a bump you can feel the whole sterring wheel almost move, anyone else get this? It is annoying i agree but not worth 1500.00 to me ill tell you that....This all makes sense since i took my Vue to 3 different shops and they all said everything was "tight"......how annoying...

[herringtond]

I have a similar problem. I am unsure that its the same though. It started by a slight squeeking and clunking. So, I replaced the strut mounts. The noise was still there and has been getting worse. I think that it might be the struts themselves. It makes all kinds of noises when I am turning or going over bumps, but it even makes noises like that when I get in or out of the vehicle.

[newbievueowner]

I think we have 2 different problems. Yours sounds like the sway bar end links worn out or something if you've already replaced the strut mounts and it's still there. This is in the column as you can hear in the video (recorded inside the truck). I think I will take a closer look at the int steering shaft...