Steering column lubrication

[Web]

Recently I have begun to feel/hear some poping type sound/sensation out of my steering column. It felt a bit like supension problems being transmited thru the steering column.

The dealer tells me that while the steering column normally doesn't need lubrication, he lubricated it and the noise/feeling has stopped.
I won't get the truck back until tomorrow , but this sounds fishy to me.

Has anyone else experienced or heard of a problem like this and how it was solved?

Thanks in advance

[mdadgar]

I have this same noise. Very odd. It seems to happen in parking lots where you crank on a lot of steering lock and then go back the other way.

- Mark

[jbplock]

This is a common problem. My 03 started doing it at approx 20kmiles. The TSB is as follows:

"Clunking Noise Under Hood and Can Be Felt In the Steering Wheel (Lubricate Intermediate Steering Shaft Assembly) #00-02-35-003B - (01/24/2003)"

smile.gif

[Bullseye54]

Had my 2500 done 1500mi ago & its starting to "clunk" again.My 35000 has 45000mi & no "clunk".Must be a tolerance difference in the shaft.

[Bill Knieper]

Had mine done at 14,000 miles. Mechanic told me if it is done right it will last about 30,000 miles but most mechanics do not take time to do it right and it then lasts 10 to 20 thousand. Either way, it is a pain and expense after warranty.

[JimWilson]

It's all a kludge to cover up some pretty sh#tty engineering. I've had 2 shafts replaced, and been give the "lube job" :eek: three times. And the problem is back again. :mad:

[OC_DMAX]

I agree with Jim Wilson above and I'll put a little different spin on the situation.

I have had the same problem on two different trucks. First occured on my '00 Chev 2500 that had a 6.0L gas engine. Problem surfaced right at 10K miles. Now it occurred on my '02 Chev 2500HD at 15K miles. On the first truck, they immediately replaced the intermediate shaft. Now from what I understand, they just grease the splines on the intermediate shaft (which is what they did on my DMAX).

I am an engineer and can understand a first year glitch. However, this problem dates to the introduction of the current Silverado/Sierra trucks in 1999. So for this problem to still be present in 2002 (not to mention 2004) is just unbelieveable.

My message to GM: THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. JUST INVEST THE MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IS WHAT GIVES AMERICAN AUTO MANUFACTURES BAD REPUTATIONS. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL.


End of rant,
Alan

[ 04-05-2004, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: OC_DMAX ]

[Lone Eagle]

There are actually two separate steering clunk problems. One has been covered. The second is caused by too much clearance between the input shaft and bearing on the gear box. They ordered two repair kits for mine that would not fit. They replaced the box and all has been well for over 30K. Later! Frank