I have the steering column rattle over low speed bump issue and often under braking. When I first got the car a couple of weeks ago I thought the column might shake off under braking because the front rotors were warped. 2007 1LT with only 20,000 original miles.

I've read through dozens of posts here and elsewhere on the Web on this issue - this should have been a recall item. The steering motor recall was already done on the car.

Here's what I've done so far:

Turn rotors and replace pads - severe shaking eliminated but rattle remains.

Dealer and Local recommended GM shop said lower control rear bushings were bad and needed replacement.

GM shop said to replace sway bar bushings.

Shocks and struts good with no leaks.

Replaced control arms, sway bar bushings, tie rod ends, stabilizer links, and intermediate steering shaft. - Re-tightened spindle bolts to spec found here. Added foam padding between the PCM and TCM per the TSB. Net has been almost no effect.

Parts including the LCA bushings that came off the car were found to be somewhat dry, but not split or damaged - dealer and GM shop were incorrect.

At this point the only even semi-common item remaining is the steering column itself, but I have almost zero confidence it would actually fix the issue.

The car also has a fast rattle under the hood when it's started cold that the common fix for is to replace the accessory belt per GM - that also didn't work.

Feedback appreciated - thanks.

 

Did anybody adjust the rear brakes?

So, you have a irritating, non safety related problem and that indicates a recall on a 10 year old car?

Rattle under the hood on cold start that goes away is a timing chain problem.

Who suggested the accessory drive belt? Maybe the idler, but any mechanic could check that without throwing parts around.

What about the air filter bracket? This is where my money is.

What about motor/trans mounts.

Cite the TSB you are referring to, I don't recall any such.

There is a link in my sig to a TSB obout diagnosing noises in the suspension.

And there is this TSB specific to 2006-2007 HHRs. The reference at the end is to the TSB in my sig.

 

Thanks for the reply...the recommendation about the foam between the PCM and TCM is in the later versions of that same bulletin.

The recall comment goes to the fact that this issue has been reported for nearly ten years since the cars were practically new. There are hundreds of reports on the Web about it.

I'll look into the timing chain as a possible rattle source...I sure hope not at 20k miles.

Air filter bracket was checked and good...I added some insulating washers to no effect.

Motor and trans mounts are inspected and good.

The accessory drive belt is mentioned in another TSB, I believe...I found it elsewhere on the Web. I've had multiple mechanics under this one and almost no one has given me any useful information as of yet that proved correct. The Chevy dealers in Orange County have been a disaster so far.

Thanks again.

 

Probably not the timing chain itself but may be the timing chain tensioner.
Your's most likely has the old style original one. May need to replace it with one of the improved, redesigned replacements.

 

The USDOT does not mandate recalls for annoying rattles. Recalls are for serious safety defects. just because people ***** and moan about rattles does not make for recall talk, that is just knee jerk BS. If you want to be taken seriously don't do that. Used to be that keyword would trigger a response from the GM "social media" folks, but the car is not sold new anymore, they haven't been around for a while. They would be "sorry for your inconvenience".

Any one that was serious about finding a rattle would be able to find it easily enough in less than 10 years. GM is not going to do it for free after the bumper to bumper warranty expires.

Have you looked at the bumper cover as a source? Any of a hundred or so loose connectors.

What about the strut mounts.

What about the 4 hubs.

The license plate bumpers, especially the rear ones.

If "everything has been checked" and ruled out, it must be gremlins.

 

I have the same rattle, and my dealer suggested the intermediate steering shaft, but from previous posts, I'm not convinced that that will fix the issue. Hard braking seems to cause this more than anything, but its not the same as the warped rotor deal, been there done that. The brake pedal feels solid, just that dam rattle noise/feel in the steering shaft itself.

 

Try retorquing the lca bolt, they do back off abit.

 

FWIW:

Here is how the GM Service Manager diagnosed my 2010 steering column rattle.

Knowing all the Technical bulletin procedures, he asked me to sit on the front passenger side while the car was in the service dept. bay.
He started the car and set the steering wheel centered straight ahead.
He shut the engine off and paused a moment and then he turned/bounced the steering wheel back and forth to where it hit resistance in each direction.
When he did that we could both hear a very similar noise that I was hearing while driving under certain conditions.
He asked me .. is that the noise your are talking about.
I said YES!!

He never even paused and said no question, the Steering Column needs to be replaced.
He also said if I were you I would replace the intermediate shaft as well.
The bill estimate was $1500 rounded which also included an alignment.

The bottom line is I paused at the estimate to think about it and ended up selling the car a month later. I am sorry I cannot cement the diagnosis as being correct but he was very certain in my case he had it nailed.
This same Manager had previously made a couple good calls for me so I trusted his judgment.
One was a click noise when starting to back up.
He said yes I hear it but instead of doing a recommended TSB repair let me re-torque the front axle Nuts next time you come in for a Oil and Filter change.
I did remind him later and they did that at No Charge. It did fix the problem.

Silverfox

 

The TSB about the startup rattle is here in the master TSB thread...

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...11/#post417434

Discussion about replacing the accessory belt as a fix is here:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...tart-up-38053/

I did have the rear brakes adjusted today, and it's possible it had a minimal impact on the rattle issue in the steering column...I can only surmise that as the rear brakes are being used more, the front brakes aren't working as hard and subsequently reduces the stress to the steering column that was so evident when the front rotors were warped.

I'm leaving the car for a day/night with another local dealer this week to see if they can identify both rattles - Chevy only gets a field rep involved in issues like this on very rare occasions, it seems, which is disappointing - all the dealers care about is getting paid as much as possible without getting nicked in the service followup survey. The dealer I saw last week apparently made sure I wouldn't be contacted, as I've heard zero.