Intermediate Steering Shaft Lube

[dukbludvl]

Has anyone out there performed the infamous intermediate steering shaft lube themselves in order to get rid of the steering clunk?  If so, I'm interested to know what, if any, special tools are needed for the job, anything specific I need to be careful about, etc.

 

I took my rig to the dealer today to have it done (trying to get it under warranty with documented problem about 8K miles outside warranty), and they couldn't guarantee it would be warrantied and they didn't even get to it today.  So, I decided to pick it up and do the job myself.  

 

Anyone who's done this before, let me know how it went.

[RyanbabZ71]

i have the TSB for it.  If you would like it email me and i can forward it to you

[RyanbabZ71]

the TSB has insturctions (but the pics wont show up) The instuctions should be enough.  All you need to do is buy the lube kit (pn listed in the tsb)

[DeezBlueZ]

Is this steering wheel clunk a clunk, or more "felt"  through the steering wheel.  Recently I have noticed a vibration/clunk felt through the steering wheel, especially while turning.  Do I have this problem too??

[Shaners]

Is this steering wheel clunk a clunk, or more "felt"  through the steering wheel.  Recently I have noticed a vibration/clunk felt through the steering wheel, especially while turning.  Do I have this problem too??

You have the problem!!!  It is more felt than heard especially when turning just slightly.  Take your truck to the dealer and he'll know exactly what you are talking about and how to fix it, because this is a way too common problem.

[RyanbabZ71]

make sure they use the correct lube.  The first time i took my truck in they used the wrong stuff and less than a month later same thing came back.  My steering wheel actually made a loud whining noise while turning

[Shaners]

make sure they use the correct lube.  The first time i took my truck in they used the wrong stuff and less than a month later same thing came back.  My steering wheel actually made a loud whining noise while turning

I had to have mine done twice, and the technician said that there was a new lube available for the second time.  It has been fine ever since.

[DeezBlueZ]

Will do! thanks for the info guys :thumb:

[3/4TonYukonXL]

Can I get a copy of that TSB also, heres my email address:  [email protected]  

 

Thanks alot!

[RyanbabZ71]

ill try and remember to send it tonight (late) when i get home from school

[Likarok]

What I did was purchase a bearing greaser. I use to use these all the time on the farm for greaseing sealed combine bearings and such.

 

It is simply a hypadermic needle with a grease zerk on it. You can generally buy them at farm machinery dealers. The needle is thin enough to slide into or around the streering shaft from under the dash. To me is just looks like there is a plastic bushing around the steering shaft as it goes through the bracket in the fire wall. I just pumped this bushing full of a heavy grease that is meant for high temps. Just a Shell industrial grease I picked up at bulk fuel dealer we deal with through work.

 

This fixed the problem two years ago and the clunk has not come back.    

[dukbludvl]

I'm planning to do the int. str. shaft lube myself. The manual says to disable the battery and airbag system etc.  Is this really necessary?  I dont' want the airbag exploding in my face, but can't I take apart the steering shaft without disabling the battery and airbag system?