Steering Wheel Rattle - Cost Of Replacing Steering Shaft

[mljenkins]

Since around 20K my steering wheel has a small vibration, especially when I am steering around corners and the road is rough. It has gotten much worse lately, with 43K on the truck, of course out of warranty.

 

I talked to the dealer today. They want $312.57 to replace it. They charge $77.75 to diagnose it, but that cost goes towards the fix if I decide to go through with it. The guy told me it is a heavier duty shaft than what is in the truck now ('06 1500). I had read on the forums that the new shafts were heavier duty.

 

I thought about replacing it with a Boregson shaft, but they are $258.86 off Borgeson's site. I am also a little concerned with tearing the truck apart, since I depend on it quite a bit. But, it is definitely an option if the Borgeson would do a better job than the newer GM part.

 

So, what should I do? Should I replace it myself, or should I let the dealer diagnose it. If the newer shaft is just as good as the Borgeson, I would rather save myself the hassle and have the dealer replace it.

 

My concern is if it is really the shaft. The truck does not have any vibrations driving it. I only feel it in the steering wheel. If I am going straight down the interstate at 70mph and the road is a tad rough, I can let go of the steering wheel and see the ever so slight shake. I don't have a clunk when I am turning the steering wheel left/right, which is what I read and am told by the dealer that most people experience when the shaft needs work.

 

I wish I would have taken it in while it was under warranty, but it didn't bother me as much then.

 

So, any thoughts? I really appreciate any feedback.

 

Matt

[pm26]

You can relax. This is such a common problem with these trucks that it is almost certain that it is the intermediate shaft. I have not had the same problem yet because I only have 7500 miles on my truck, but I expect to have issues with it. My warranty is running out. It is not that hard to replace the shaft. You could buy the new shaft cheaper from gmpartsdirect.com and replace it yourself. Another alternative is to grease the old shaft, which is somehwhat of a band aid, as it has to be redone.

[mljenkins]

Thanks for that bit of info to ease my mind. From what I read everywhere on the net I got the impression that it was almost certainly what it was. I was thinking of trying to take it out and grease it myself to see if it helped. At least that would tell me if that was definitely the issue.

 

Does anyone know the part # for the shaft to order it from gmpartsdirect? Is the GM part as good as the aftermarket Borgeson?

[Vortec-Z71]

GM PART # 19153614

 

http://gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?singl...number=19153614

[G80]

I have to replace my steering shaft as well. It has become very noisey over the past few weeks. Does anyone have a procedure for this?

[G80]

GM PART # 19153614

 

http://gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?singl...number=19153614

 

Also try checking E-Bay...starting bid is $25 for a new shaft!

 

E-Bay Intermediate Steering Shaft

[lerbud]

on my 06 it had the rattle and they changed out the plastic bearing. the first time didnt work but the second bearing solved it.

[pm26]

GM PART # 19153614

 

http://gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?singl...number=19153614

 

Is this the new "improved" shaft? Is it much better than the OEM shaft?

 

Did they use the same lousy OEM shaft even in 2500HD trucks up to '07 Classic Silverado?

[mljenkins]

As far as the procedures, I found the TSB on these forums somewhere a week ago. There was also a writeup with pictures on how to grease it, so the procedure to take it out was in there.

 

I read one post on these forums that indicated the new shaft was heavier duty. However, I am curious how heavy duty it is, especially compared to the Borgeson. I don't want to have to ever replace it again.

[mljenkins]

GM PART # 19153614

 

http://gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?singl...number=19153614

 

Are you serious, a mere $52.44?? Thanks a ton, I'll be doing this myself.

 

ps: On the question about whether it was a heavier duty shaft, which I would have clicked the link first. It says right on gmpartsdirect it is a different shaft from the original.

 

Thanks again so much!!! This is definitely the route I will be going.

[mljenkins]

Some links to help others:

 

The entire TSB procedure:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...icle&id=486

 

Other topics where people have done it or similar:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;hl=shaft+tsb'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;hl=shaft+tsb'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;hl=shaft+tsb'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;hl=shaft+tsb

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...mp;hl=shaft+tsb

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...9&hl=airbag

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...2&hl=airbag

[mljenkins]

Does anyone know where you can get a lock pin to keep the steering wheel from moving, or if a screwdriver or something can be shoved up in there? Thanks.

[mljenkins]

Well, I found the pin here by Googling the part J-42640:

 

http://www.etoolcart.com/gmsteeringcolumna...pinj-42640.aspx

 

Not sure if I can get it through GMPartsDirect or not. Have to go put up fence so I will look more tonight. Thanks all.