2012 GS, 5 months old with 4K mileage. Went in for oil change and asked to have a clunking noise from the front checked. Based on previous posts I was hoping for sway bar end links however was advised of bad steering rack. I asked if the rack would be new or refurbished and was told it would be new. Part came in today and asked again if part was new and again advised yes. Well a few hours later I was advised that the rack was refurbished. I don't have an issue with the dealership (good service in the past) however, very disappointed with GM and will be sending them a letter. Have heard from other forum members with the same issue of receiving a refurbished rack (hard to believe). Sounds like a manufacturing defect.

 

I hate to share reality with you, but anytime you you buy a "OEM replacement" steering rack, alternator, power steering pump, water pump, etc., etc., you are not getting a new unit off their assembly line, but a rebuilt unit from the lowest cost aftermarket provider they can find. "Genuine GM replacement parts" like the performance figures they advertise, and the totally fake mileage numbers they supply the EPA, are a total joke. They are a sleaze-ball organization, manned by sleaze-ball executives with no moral principles whatsoever.

 

I don't know for sure and certainly don't claim to be an expert but i have heard many times that there is nothing wrong with a re- furbished unit and it may actually be better than the original.

 

Damn; sorry to hear that. May I ask you what's your build date? And can I also ask you under what conditions did you hear the clunk, and when did it start? If only when turning, what's different from the tire hop at full lock? Curious man, since I also have a '12 GS (09/15/11 build), and with 3.4K miles. Hope yours was an isolated case.

 

I know that rebuilt parts are some times used, but I'm skeptical when you say that always happens. I've looked at various parts tags and packaging for warranty replacements, never seen anything to indicate they were other than new. Not a large sample in my case, but still...

Further evidence would be appreciated.

 

They know what has to be fixed and fix it. GM isn't interested in a cheap paste job. They warranty that part for a minimum of 12 mo/12K miles or for whatever is left over of the B2B warranty if it is longer than that.

Bill

 

12 mo/12K miles is a walk in the park, compared to the original warrentee. It's all about money.

 

Steerting racks are NOT available new, and a (bad) core must go back to GM. As I understand it, only the case is re-used...all the guts are new.

To the original poster(CABO), can you describe the clunk noise, and when it does it? I'm assuming it's intermittant (meaning it's hard to dupliate for the dealer) and I'm guessing it's when the chassis sees some torque (like a speed bump or the "down-up" of a driveway when the wheels are turned? For instance, backing out of a driveway and cutting the wheel, or crossing a speed bump at an angle. Am I right?

 

Mine from day one has always gotten better mileage than the EPA estimates. 28.5 - 33.1 on long trips....

Mine's an '07 A6 with 102,000 miles

 

If you read past threads then you knew the outcome and the reasons behind it, why would you be surprised and feel compelled to write GM..... did you expect a different outcome?

My concern wouldn't be that the rack is a reman but why the original failed in such a short time.

 

Thanks for the input. The manufacture date of my GS was Jan 2012. The noise from the front end started a couple of months ago. While backing out of my garage down the drive way, if I would turn the steering wheel slightly in either direction I would hear a thumping noise. Never noticed it during normal driving. At first, the GM Service Writer tried to explain the noise as wheel hop, which I knew the difference. Hope to get the car back today. It will be almost 70 degrees here in N.C. next Tuesday.

 

Not to hijack the thread but Bill, why aren't they doing anything about the ongoing Harmonic Baalancer issues? Not trying to start anything, just thinking you might have some inside info.....thanks and sorry to the OP!

 

yup ..this is true for me...

 

Sounds like you're ready to trade your car in. What are you going to get?

 

I don't get the beef with refurbished parts. I get that initially and on the surface "refurbished" may tend to make someone believe that the part is less capable than a "new" part. A little research will show that these refurbish parts will reuse major components of a part if those components meet original quality standards and are typically re machined and finished. Other wear parts are replaced. Almost no one is able to distinguish a refurbished part from a new one. Remember, the "new" part in your car failed after a short time so, a new part doesn't guarantee reliability. Though slightly so, your car is used and not new. Why should it be that GM be required to put in new parts in a used car for the sake of being new. Meanwhile some of those who oppose refurbished parts use will complain about vehicle costs, poor GM stock performance, warrantee costs, environmental wastefulness and a lack of ingenuity that leads to a loss of jobs.

 

I'm sorry you had to replace the steering rack but I wouldn't be overly concerned about using a refurbished component. For all practical purposes the quality of a refurbished part should be the same as a new unit. Manufacturer's wouldn't use refurbished parts if the failure rate was significantly higher....the cost effectiveness of using a refurbished part would be lost. I think you'll be fine.

Feeling as you do, why would you abandon your principles and support the "sleaze-ball organization" by owning a GM product?

Although many replacement parts I've bought have been new (not refurbished), I don't interpret "Genuine GM replacement parts" to mean "new." The marketing phrase doesn't hold a lot of meaning for me but I don't think it's a joke either. I think most people understand performance and estimated mileage figures are best case scenarios achieved under 'ideal' circumstances. You may not be able to fully replicate the stated mileage or performance figures but I submit they are accurate numbers which GM was able to achieve. In my stock C6, on certain legs of an interstate trip (under 'ideal' circumstances), I was able to achieve a 30+ mpg average. I probably couldn't do it every time but I was able to achieve the 30+ mpg. I've never tried to get a 0 to 60 or a 1/4 mile time but I accept the stated numbers by GM give me a general idea of what the car is capable of doing (under ideal circumstances). Suffice it to say I wasn't disappointed in the performance of the stock C6 and whether or not I can hit their stated 0 to 60 time to the tenth of a second isn't all that important to me. I realize it's an 'ideal' time.

I believe all car manufacturer's use 'best case' performance and mileage figures. That doesn't make them 'sleaze-***** with no moral principles' in my book.

 

One should have no gripe with a remanufactured part being installed on thier car. At overhaul such parts are totally disassembled. All components are inspected and those that are not in accordance with the drawing are rejected.

Some years ago I was in the process of replacing a starter. At the store had a choice, new or remanufactured. Warranty on the new starter was 12 months. Warranty on the remanufactured starter was lifetime.

The EPA has a very precise protocol for determining fuel milage. Further, when the OEM is conducting the test, there is EPA oversight. Should the EPA uncover cheating the fallout and fines would have a major affect on the company's bottom line. Several years ago the EPA discovered cheating among big bore diesel engine manufactures with regard to pollution certification. Fines where in the multi millons. In one case the EPA came close to shutting the company down.

Thought I was cynical but laconicjack wins that contest going away.