The Oldsmobile Connection

myfathersoldsmobile · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

As I wait for the intake manifold I ordered I am thinking about addressing other problems.
One is a rattle in the front end that occurs whenever I hit a bump. I can also feel it in the steering wheel. This noise was around when I got the car, only quieter. I had a couple of mechanics check the front end and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Now that it is a bit louder maybe I can find it. I will be jacking up the front end and checking here and there. Is there anything in particular I should look for given the symptoms?
Another issue is that my "traction off" light comes on often when the transmisssion goes into third and traction stays off from then on. I have heard that this might be indicative of transmission problems, but the fluid smells OK and there are no leaks yet.
The third issue is the steering wheel audio controls. Occasionally when turning the stereo volume will go way up to an unhealthy level. I assume there is a defect in the switch. Can I pop out the switch and disable it without taking the steering wheel off?
Any help would be appreciated .

Jon

myfathersoldsmobile · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

Well I found one obvious problem with the front end. One sway bar bushing was loose and obviously toast. The metal sleeve that sits around the bolt had split open. I purchased the part and I knew the old one would be seized ,so when it wouldn't cooperate I just cut it off. I needed to tension the sway bar with a large clamp for bolt clearance.
It's a lot quieter now but I need to check the rest anyway.

91parkave · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 525

glad you got the problem fixed i had the same thing happen to me, i replaced my end links with the polyurethane units from autozone slightly stronger but more durable, also while your under there make sure everything else is tourqued down i also had the bolts on the sway bar bushing start to come loose at the same time.

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2409 Location: Canada

91parkave wrote:

Looks very clean in there...

Brando · Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Posts: 3069 Location: Michigan, USA

88delta88 wrote: 91parkave wrote:

Looks very clean in there...

the benefits of living in the south... :wink:

TOC Admin
Brando

strokercutlass · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 379 Location: Wis

The traction control will disable for a number of reasons on these cars....is there a check engine light coming on? Oxygen sensor codes will often disable the TCS to prevent engine damage from occuring......the audio control problem sounds like it could possibly be a bad clockspring in the steering column....

myfathersoldsmobile · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

strokercutlass wrote: The traction control will disable for a number of reasons on these cars....is there a check engine light coming on? Oxygen sensor codes will often disable the TCS to prevent engine damage from occuring......the audio control problem sounds like it could possibly be a bad clockspring in the steering column....
Thanks for the reponse. I have no check engine light anymore, though I had codes earlier this year and replaced the ICM and upper o2 sensor, which cured the symtoms and the codes.
The strange thing about the TC is that it starts as enabled, then shuts off exactly when the tranny shifts into third.
I think I will simply disable the voulume control on the steering wheel to solve that other problem.

myfathersoldsmobile · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

After replacing the bad stabilizer bushing, I still have a rattle in the front end every time I hit a bump or drive over rough road.
I went in for a State Inspection yesterday figuring they would tell me I have a bad ball joint. I passed. This morning I jacked the car up to check the front end and the ball joints were good, the tires didn't give at all in any direction. The ball joint boots were good. Similarly, I checked for tie-rod play and couldn't find any problems, all boots were intact there, too.
When I discovered the bad stabilizer bushing I only did one side, the side that was obviously bad. I do have a bushing assembly for the other side so my next step will be to put that on. Maybe there is play in the other bushing that only happens under load, and isn't seen when the car is jacked up.

91parkave wrote: glad you got the problem fixed i had the same thing happen to me, i replaced my end links with the polyurethane units from autozone slightly stronger but more durable, also while your under there make sure everything else is tourqued down i also had the bolts on the sway bar bushing start to come loose at the same time.

When you say "everything else" what should I be tightening?
Thanks, Jon

91parkave · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 525

i.e Cv axle, control arm, ball joints, spindle/strut......

Is the rattle kind of high pitched? more like a squeek? I had the same thing to turned out to be my strut mount.

andrewk · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1263 Location: Ames, IA

Is it just a singular pop, or is it like something is loose, and it rattles more than once.

You should also check the control arm bushings.

myfathersoldsmobile · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 41

andrewk wrote: Is it just a singular pop, or is it like something is loose, and it rattles more than once.

You should also check the control arm bushings.
It seems like something is loose and rattles more than once.
I tried to get a look at the control arm bushings when I was under there and I saw a few cracks, but nothing I thought would cause play. I could be mistaken, though.

andrewk · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1263 Location: Ames, IA

Is the rattle metallic sounding, or just a rattle? I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but it should help-

I'd look to anything that could bounce around more than once. Chances are suspension components are going to pop once or twice, whereas things like air dams, inner fenders, and strut debris shields could rattle around a lot more than that-

91parkave · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 525

The way our bushings are designed...IMO wont caust the sound you described, if they should fail, youd have driveability problems to boot, heres something to try , look for the strut cover (plastic " cover located where the strut stabilizer bar is mounted under the hood) spray some wd-40 or heavy duty lube of your choice heavily. where the nut is (surronding rubber) let it soak for a couple of hours and see if the sound is still present. let me know what happens

88 Coupe

myfathersoldsmobile wrote: ........ and I saw a few cracks, but ........
Norm

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2409 Location: Canada

91parkave wrote: ....spray some wd-40 or heavy duty lube of your choice heavily....

WD-40 is not a heavy duty lube.