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Check the shaft's date code to assure that it is a good shaft. The code can be recognized by the fact that it's laser-etched, rather than stamped on theend of the shaft. The shaft must have been built on or later than the 280th day of 1998 (example: "252A8"). In this example, the "282" representsthe 282nd day and the final "8" represents 1998.
A Clunk/Rattle/Pop Heard While Driving or Low Speed Maneuvers
A CLUNK/RATTLE/POP HEARD DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS OR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (1998 OLDSMOBILEINTRIGUE)
This noise in it's various forms is likely to be caused by either under-torqued bolts in the front strut mounts or by an older intermediate shaft. Thefollowing is how to distinguish between the two possible causes:
- Begin diagnosis by verifying the torque of the front strut mounting bolts which may have been under-torqued during assembly.
TIGHTENTighten the front strut mounting bolts to 33 Nm (24 lb ft).
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If the clunk"rattle remains once the mounting bolts are correctly torqued, the cause may be a second condition with the intermediate shaft. Beforeit can be heard, this condition can be felt as a sharp knocking or tapping feel in the steering wheel. Eventually it will become an audible rattle ortapping. This noise is most obvious at low speed. The rattle or tapping is heard when driving over a series of small bumps, but may change to aclunk or pop with light brake application or acceleration.
- This condition may be caused by an insufficient distribution of lubricant between the mating splines of the slider shaft.
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The correction is to replace the intermediate shaft with one built since the middle of October, 1998. Check the shaft's date code to assure it is agood shaft. The code can be recognized by the fact that it is laser-etched, rather than stamped on the end of the shaft. The shaft must have beenbuilt on or later than the 280th day of 1995 (example: "282A8"). In this example, the "282" represents the 282nd day and the final "8" represents1998.
Important:
Do not remove the intermediate shaft to examine or perform any operation that will "stroke" the shaft. This movement of the slider joint,past normal in-car positioning, will redistribute the grease on the shaft and temporarily eliminate the condition. The only way to permanently repair thevehicle is to replace the shaft if it is identified as one of the early shafts prone to this condition.
A Chirping/Squeaking Sound From Front Suspension Hitting Bumps
A CHIRPING OR SQUEAKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN HITTING SHARP BUMPS (1998 OLDSMOBILEINTRIGUE, 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX)
A chirping or squeaking sound may be heard from the front suspension when hitting a sharp bump such as a deep pothole or a speed bump.
This condition may be caused by an internal misbuild of the strut. The base valve and deflection disc may allow improper fluid flow (internal tothe strut). The unwanted flow between these two components creates the chirping noise.
- This condition was corrected on all Oldsmobile Intrigues beginning with VIN # XF341675 or vehicles built after January 1, 1999.
- This condition was corrected on the Pontiac Grand Prix after VIN # XF265000.
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The only correction for this noise is replacement of the strut. Struts can be checked by locating the Julian Date stamped into the strut housingapproximately 1/3rd of the way up from the bottom of the strut and facing inward when installed. Beginning with the third digit, any date afterXX8355 (8=1998 355=day) can be considered good.
Snaps, Pops, and Creaks From the Front Struts
SNAPS, POPS, AND CREAKS FROM THE FRONT STRUTS (OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, PONTIAC GRAND PRIX)