2003 Suburban Steering Column Squeak/Groan

[rjdjbd]

I have a 2003 Suburban LS 1500 4-wheel drive, all stock, no modifications, with approximately 70k miles on it. I have recently developed a squeak/groan when I turn the steering wheel. I've sprayed the knuckle under the dash where the noise seems to be coming from, and took a look under the hood where the steering shaft comes through the firewall. The noise also seems to be coming from there, but as sound travels, I can't readily determine if the noise is originating from the inside or under the hood.

Any ideas what this might be, and how to resolve.

Thank you, Richard

Photo #1 is under the hood / photo #2 is under the dash.

 

Video Link with Audio

[Chris]

There is a bulletin about the intermediate steering shaft. I dont have the number for it

[mike94silverado]

My moms car was doing that the tsb has them install a grease fitting and grease it it went away and if it comes back they sayi it just needs grease

 

 

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[rjdjbd]

My moms car was doing that the tsb has them install a grease fitting and grease it it went away and if it comes back they sayi it just needs grease Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I've had that bulletin done twice; both times it was more of a knock or clunk when turning the steering wheel. This noise is totally different in sound. Where would I find the grease fitting if I wanted to check that? Anything is worth a try...

 

This might be the TSB I had done twice, and it solved the 'clunk' issue:

 

• Date Reported OCTOBER 01 2010
• NHTSA Reference #10036545
• TSB Reference #SB-10-02-33-001

Description: BUICK/CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC/OLDSMOBILE AND HUMMER: INFORMATION ON PITMAN ARM SHAFT SEAL SERVICE KIT. DO NOT REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING GEAR FOR PITMAN SEAL LEAK. TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN REPLACING ENTIRE STEERING GEARS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO

Repair Information for NHTSA #10036545

[EX-F150 owner]

I had the squawk/moan noise (sounded more like an elephant making noise to me) in the 2002 Bonneville I use to own. At 19K original miles the steering gear (rack) was replaced to correct it. The new gear would still make the noise every once in a while, not too much. I reported it to the dealer again but they could never duplicate it anymore. I just lived with it. The dealer could never figure out why the car had the shakes from 62-75 mph either. That car was a POS

[rjdjbd]

YouTube link that may play back better than original post.

 

 

[EX-F150 owner]

That is not the same noise mine was making.

[txab]

Have you tried lubing the rubber boot on the firewall, where the ISS goes through it?

[ram1067]

update......

[ram1067]

YouTube link that may play back better than original post.

 

 

hey did you ever solve the problem

[rjdjbd]

I never have been able to reduce or eliminate the noise. I have lubed the knuckle and shaft, and tried to lube going into the firewall. The noise certainly appears to be under the dash, and not in front of the fire wall... I was hoping an onboard GM tech here would say exactly where something needs to be lubed. Seems pretty silly for me to take it into a dealer and pay for an hour of shop rate at $135 an hour for them to go psssst... psssst with some spray lube, so lI guess I'll live with it for now.

[efritz]

Mine's been doing that for over 200,000 miles. Where the ISS goes through the firewall's rubber boot it squeaks. You could try to lube it up, but I just don't care. Doesn't really affect anything mechanically.