multiple problems smh 97 RIV SC

Well im back again..smh..buttttt...
my 1st problem is kinda weird..just recently whenever i hit a bump or something and i hit the brake i get this weird noise as if something is lose on or around the break pedal..i hear it the most when having to hit the brake period..it almost sounds like the noise you hear when turning a door handle ..and letting it go fast..i dont know if that makes sense lol.but its a odd noise..and i don't know what it is..but i don't think its goood..

2nd problem is that my steering wheel feels stiffer than usual..like if i turn a little as im driving it yanks away from me..and feels like im turning alot..
this just started happening..i got my tires balanced n the pressure is right..just had my tensioner changed but was told the belts were good..so i dont know what is going on..

if anybody can give advice or help with any of these problems..i would really appreciate it..THANKS...

Is the brake noise coming from inside or outside the car?

sounds like inside..

Crawl under the dash and push the pedal with your hand. If it squeaks, might need some oil.

ok..it does kinda squeak..but it also rattles..or something down there rattles..whenever i hit a bump..or hit the brakes hard

Could be something loose that used to be clipped in. Or it could be your steering column. Really hard to know that kind of thing without listening first hand.

i agreee..after work 2morrow imma get down there n take a look and a listen..thanks for the help

dboydakid wrote:

ok..it does kinda squeak..but it also rattles..or something down there rattles..whenever i hit a bump..or hit the brakes hard

check and see if the OBD-II connector is loose. It usually goes in a slot in the cover up over the brake pedal and what not. It is not held in with screws or anything (what were they thinking?) so if you or a mechanic pushes it in too hard it pops up above the dash and rattles around when you hit a bump.

That might be it.

You will have to remove the screws that hold the panel up to fix it but the connector just slides into the panel.

Also there are about a couple dozen pieces that make up the dash, it can squeak, to fix have to disassemble and loctite the screws, can be an all day job. Worth it if it squeaks bad, though.

will check for that tomorrow...thanks man

nobody knows about the steering thing????lol

dboydakid wrote:

nobody knows about the steering thing????lol

How are your cradle mounts?

i have no idea.
.ive been looking for a GOOD mechanic..or atleast one that knows about the type of car..NO LUCK..smh..

dboydakid wrote:

i have no idea.

How about taking a good look under the car? https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t8662-write-up-cradle-mount-insulators-bushings

dboydakid wrote:

i have no idea.
.ive been looking for a GOOD mechanic..or at least one that knows about the type of car..NO LUCK..smh..

*how* you do this I am not sure, but you probably need to find a GM dealer adn ask who they "sublet" mechanical work on older problem cars to. If you ask right you will find out.

For instance there was a new car dealer not too far from me, I was buying a car from them, I wanted a mechanics inspection. There was a GoodYear shop not far away, I arranged to take the car there. The inspection was state inspection and a leakdown test (takes an hour or so all in for this work). I was chatting with the mechanic (nobody asks for a leakdown test, he tells me) and when I told him I was buying the car used (that's why it has dealer plates) he goes "Oh, they bring their problem cars over here, this is not one of them though . But it does need brakes. "

So what you can do is look for an independent mechanic shop that is located not too far (mile or 2) from the new car dealers. Odds are they get part of their business from the dealer, and they see older cars. At least you can ask.

I agree with Albert about the OBDII connector. Mine has been just dangling there because the screw slots were broken off. Fantastic.

Hard steering could be due to the rack. Does the pump whine at all? You low on fluid? These seem like easy starting points.

If that sound when braking is inside the cabin, definitely hit the pedal with your hand while the car is off and you should be able to see what is going on.

the obdii connector is in place..i couldnt really check today but before i left work i felt for the connector and it was where it should be ..smh...better luck checking tomorrow

there's a bunch of wires up in there, just pull the panel it should be obvious what's amiss.

I have that break peddle noise too. I wiggled it by hand and think it may be worn bushings? have yet to really get in to whats down there. if i have to replace some thing else my wife will kill me. Just bought the A/C compressor and a new tensioner. want to put them on this week.

gmann3001 wrote:

I have that break peddle noise too. I wiggled it by hand and think it may be worn bushings? have yet to really get in to whats down there. if i have to replace some thing else my wife will kill me. Just bought the A/C compressor and a new tensioner. want to put them on this week.

brake pedal noise - all you folks with brake pedal noise might want to try putting a little sticky grease on the pivot points - lithium (garage door grease), synthetic bearing grease, CV joint grease, or other grease that won't drip onto the pedal. Lubriplate spray lube "A" or "X-357" should work too if you don't spray on too much.