Steering "clunk" fixed today

[02Blue]

Posted a thread last week, Steering "Clunk". Today I took it to the dealer. They did not want to go for the stub bearing fix described in the July 2002 "GM Tech Link". Instead, they installed the "Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098419". The kit is referenced by TSB 00-02-35-003A.

 

Some have said their clunk/rattle wasn't completely fixed until the bearing was replaced. So, I tried to go the bearing route, but...

 

My dealer said that since "there is no TSB referencing the bearing yet", that they would try the lub kit in accordance with stated TSB. If the lub kit didn't fix it, then they would call GM and get authorization/recommendation to install the bearing. That way, the dealer would get compensated under warranty for the bearing replacement.

 

Well, it took them 2 hours 15 minutes to return my truck. I tried every maneuver that caused the clunk/rattle before and I could not get it to happen. I listened as hard as I could and I did not hear anything or feel any steering wheel feedback.

 

It was a short trip home and only time will tell if the fix sticks. I sure hope so, but if not, I will go to the dealer again. And they will have to call GM next time.

 

By the way, I purchased the truck in September 2001. I have 10.8K miles on it and this is the only problem I've had. As far as I can tell, the steering clunk/rattle has been a problem all the way back to 1999 trucks. Wish they would redesign rather than wait for complaints. The attitude/posture of GM to wait for complaints to fix problems appears to be crisis management. I hate crisis management. It's probably a number crunch thing. Like, well lets see, component "A" is faulty. It will last XX,XXX number of miles and during that time we will get X,XXX number of complaints. Do we fix it or leave as is? hummm...Let 'em complain first. Of course I over simplified the equation a bit. I'm quite sure there are other variables involved.

[RyanbabZ71]

I had the lube fix in sept and it has been fine since.  I dont know if its permanent but it has lasted longer than the steering shaft replacement.  (currently under 32K miles)

 

[02Blue]

Yeah Ryan, my dealer mentioned that they have had to replace the intermediate shaft in some cases. Sounds like fixing a problem with a problem waiting to happen. Come on GM, redesign the thing and be done with it. Stop throwing parts at the problem.

 

OT: Come on Microsoft, stop throwing patches at it. Do it right the first time. Some of the security problems in XP/OfficeXP are the same as were in Win95/Office95...come on!

[BlueRado]

Now, you have documentation on the problem, and that they are following the "prescribed" path, so you ought to be OK if it shows up again.  

 

I had mine replaced on the '99 w/ the only fix @ that time, and it started to clunk after about 20K miles - returned it before I tried for the grease  or bearing fix.

 

Good luck.  

[Shaners]

I had mine done twice.  The first time lasted about 500 miles.  Ever since it was done the second time it has been rock solid.

 

The tech guy told me it has to be basically pressure packed with grease, and then "plugged".  If it isn't done exactly according to the TSB then the problem will re-occur.  In between my 2 visits, the TSB was changed as for the type of grease to be used.

[02Blue]

Ever since it was done the second time it has been rock solid.

I hear ya Shaners. That's how mine felt today. It hasn't for awhile. Life is good again!