Gm states permanent fix to steering shaft issue in

[regor]

I was at the dealers yesterday getting a LOF and the 4th steering wheel shaft replacement, when the advisor informed me that GM has stated that a “permanent” fix to the shaft issue was coming out in February. I told him that I’ve heard that one before and he laughed with me. He stated that GM is so confident in this fix that they are no longer shipping the grease for the “current” fix. He also stated that as of now, the shaft isn’t a recall but figures that GM will probably end up making it one, assuming this new fix is really a permanent fix.

[chris_kucia]

Are they going to compensate all of us with out-of-warranty vehicles who field tested all the previous attempts at a solution for them?

[jason2006]

If they make it a recall then yes it will be a free replacement If not your at the mercy of the local GM rep.

[chris_kucia]

If they make it a recall then yes it will be a free replacement If not your at the mercy of the local GM rep.

 

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I was (sarcastically) wondering if GM was going to compensate me for the grease kit and replacement shaft I put in that were only temporary fixes until they could find this (supposedly) permanent repair which took them seven years after my truck was manufactured to come up with.

 

(Again, sarcastically) I can see why it took GM so long, owing to the radically different steering system these trucks have from the vehicles GM has been producing for, what, 100 years.

 

I guess I'm just a little ticked off at GM lately. I really want to be a loyal customer, but they make it really difficult sometimes.

[rmreid]

If it is a recall the number of vehicles effected by the recall would be enormous and the backorder list very long.

My guess is that this could take all of 2007 to happen (my guess is based on the tailgate strap recall that GM did yet they did not have enough tailgate straps to fullfill all dealer orders and they went on backorder)

[regor]

Don't know why any of you have paid for GM's past fixes. When my truck went out of warranty and the steering shaft started to make that noise again (Which GM states is not a safety issue), I had already done the research in this and other GM truck forums and then I contacted GM with the facts and links. They never questioned the problem or attempted to argue with me about the issue. However, I have made them aware that I have never had to replace a shaft before (And I relate to them my blazer that had 200,000 miles on it before I got rid of it) and know of no one else, except for owners of GM trucks series 99 or newer. I guess with that kind of evidence, how can they say "no". Each time when GM has stated that "this" fix will solve the problem, I have also made them aware that if it is not, I expect continued "free" fixes until I either get rid of the truck or that a real fix actually occurs.

 

I just find it amazing how these manufacturers figure that they can jerk us around without getting annoyed. We also have a 99 Ford Contour in which the dash warped so badly that Ford admitted to a defect and did a "one time" fix, stating that the problem was solved. Guess what? It wasn't and Ford is refusing to replace the dash.

 

The only way we can hold these manufacturers responsible is to notify the NHTSA (Or whatever it is called) when we are having issues with our vehicles. If enough complaints are filed, then something might be done. However, when we don’t do anything, how can we complain? I guess we can always make a statement with our wallets and not buy GM anymore, however, some of us are tall and prefer some head and leg room and are forced to stick with the larger American vehicles. We might have issues with other brands too. I had a knocking Ram that Dodge refused to admit there was a problem (Dodge forums showed otherwise). I lost twice in arbitration. It wasn’t until I hired a lemon law lawyer that Dodge decided to buy back the truck (Original price, with 40,000 miles on it). Because of that dicking around, I will think before buying another Dodge product. GM, hasn’t been that bad yet.

[sablowme]

To be honest with you guys i have about had it with the stering shafts i figure i am just going to buy one of those nice ones that wont have the problem or atleast they say they wont. At my dealer where i work at they say there just "stroking" the shafts and the the greese gets stuck and hardens and after sever strokes the shaft and greese get convenced to work agin to help fix the problem...lol But agin those flaming river shafts are like $400 and that alot for a shaft even if it is nickle plated I wouldnt mind paying that much if it increased performance or gasmilage...or something like that..lol

[asilverblazer]

There will not be recall since it isn't a safety issue.

[Sandhopper]

Push your dealers. I have had Steering arms replaced/Fixed all the way to complete racks(2000 Sierra, 2001 Sierra, 2002 Sonoma (complete rack) 2002 Yukon XL and my current 2004 Silverado ). Thankfully all under warranty. My father took his Tahoe in for Transflush sevice at 45K and metioned that the steering was knocking (I don't know how he put up with it for as long as he did... Since 20K or so) the dealer performed the steering shaft service under warranty. He was pretty happy. I on the other hand am having issues with my power steering seeming to intermittently fall a sleep on me (See Power Steering Issues? Posting on the forum). I can only hope and push to have them address my problems beyond the 36K period. If not an 07 2500 HD Sierra might be in my future .

[Larry07]

if there are problems with steering components then I would consider it a SAFETY ISSUE.

[ZZ327]

if there are problems with steering components then I would consider it a SAFETY ISSUE.

 

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all it is is a noisy slight vibration problem. The steering is still safe to use

[Deep Blue]

if there are problems with steering components then I would consider it a SAFETY ISSUE.

 

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all it is is a noisy slight vibration problem. The steering is still safe to use

 

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What I felt was more than slight, even if it wasn't a safety issue. As some others have commented it sometimes feels as if something in the column has come apart.

[ezstriper]

in my suburban and avalanche have been thru several shafts,,just bought a 04 tahoe w/36k miles and the shaft is terrible...no parts available at this time...I hope they finally have their stuff together and also do a recall as they should...this is crap !!! and they wonder why they are losing market share !!!!!!! but I will only buy american !!!! Rob

[67ChevyRedneck]

I know this problem blows (and I think my truck has yet to show any signs of this???) but I do have to give GM credit. They HAVE been trying. They could just say, ooops, we F'ed up, sorry, but buy an all new '07, but even with the new truck out, they're still "trying."

 

GM has built 900K+ trucks PER YEAR since 1999 (NOT including tahoes or suburbans) which would equate to over 8 million trucks and probably a couple million 'hoes and 'burbs. I don't think a recall would ever happen.

[jhm]

I know this problem blows (and I think my truck has yet to show any signs of this???) but I do have to give GM credit.  They HAVE been trying.  They could just say, ooops, we F'ed up, sorry, but buy an all new '07, but even with the new truck out, they're still "trying."

 

GM has built 900K+ trucks PER YEAR since 1999 (NOT including tahoes or suburbans) which would equate to over 8 million trucks and probably a couple million 'hoes and 'burbs.  I don't think a recall would ever happen.

 

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Unless it is proven by the DOT to be a safety issue it will never generate a recall. What bothers most people is when they discovered the problem the first year, if a revised design was implemented, the recall would be very small. Instead they took the cheap way out with lube kits, obviously did not work, now they "exercise the shaft" . This cost them even less since there is only minimal labor involved, no parts. Things like this DO cause people to think a little more about thier next purchase.