So has anyone found a "fix" st. wheel clunk??

02Tahoe2Quick · October 12, 2003

You know the one Im talking about.

My partiuclar is a 02 Tahoe 5.3 however I believe the burb, yuk, sierra, etc all have the same problem..

At low speed cornering over even the slightest bumps the steering feel feels and the vehicle sounds like the front left wheel only has 3 hand tightened bolts holding it on.

More prominent on right hand turns than left..

Also noticeable when entering a driveway..

I have heard of some people "lubing" the steering shaft.. Doest this work? Has anyone determined what the actual problem is..

MichaelL · October 12, 2003

on my '00 Rado the dealer replaced (18K)the intermediate shaft........been quiet ever since to date (over 100K).

on my wife's '01 they repacked the sleeve with a so-called "special" grease. it's been quiet from the time they did it (19K) to present (43K).

Shaners · October 13, 2003

If you have warranty left, then take your truck to the dealer and let them repack/lube the steering shaft... If the fix is done correctly, then it should be OK. However I was told by the Tech Guy that fixed mine that it isn't the easiest to get it done right the first time.

My guess is that most dealers have fixed so many of these by now, that they have the technique figured out...

02Tahoe2Quick · October 13, 2003

Great! Thanks for the help guys...!

Taaaaaaahoe? · October 13, 2003

I did the LUBE on mine 2x's now..It came back after 200 miles first time, and then again after 500!

Actually just replaced the inter. shaft today with one I bought on e-bay! See how long it lasts!

Mike

MiSdIrEcTeD_1 · October 13, 2003

Im gonna have to do somethin about mine soon... Ive got 43k miles and it started around a thousand miles ago... I hate it... although it hasnt been all that bad here lately. Dunno... Thanks for the information though, i was gonna start a thread about this but no need... Thanks!

kgornek · October 13, 2003

That's what that is??? Wow... I thought it was a loose shock or somethine. Man that thing can be really annoying by the amount of noise it makes when going over a bumby road!

Thanks guys... I'm calling the dealership today. My truck's out of warranty so I wonder how much $$ they will charge me for this...

Taaaaaaahoe? · October 13, 2003

That's what that is??? Wow... I thought it was a loose shock or somethine. Man that thing can be really annoying by the amount of noise it makes when going over a bumby road!

Thanks guys... I'm calling the dealership today. My truck's out of warranty so I wonder how much $$ they will charge me for this...

STOP!! WAIT!! DON"T TAKE IT TO DEALER its a 10 min DIY driveway job!! I can help. Dealer charges almost 200$

Ill post more latert....im at work

02Tahoe2Quick · October 13, 2003

I just made my appointment with the dealer...

They said they take the whole shaft out.... its a 1.5 hour job..

Im interested in the 10min DIY though.. Im assuming its a no-takey-da-shaft-outta-da-truck quick fix...

kgornek · October 13, 2003

That's what that is??? Wow... I thought it was a loose shock or somethine. Man that thing can be really annoying by the amount of noise it makes when going over a bumby road!

Thanks guys... I'm calling the dealership today. My truck's out of warranty so I wonder how much $$ they will charge me for this...

STOP!! WAIT!! DON"T TAKE IT TO DEALER its a 10 min DIY driveway job!! I can help. Dealer charges almost 200$

Ill post more latert....im at work

Do tell then!!

I called and made an appt for tom night and they said they they have a "kit" and that it would cost me $50-60 to lube the steering shift and it takes approx. an hour. Aparently they have to take the assembly out and out insert some kind of rubber seal it there to inject the grease? (yeah, I have no idea what i'm talking about here) But the serivce manager at the dealership, said it will definetly fix the problem. I've been to this dealership before and the service manager knows me by name. (Small town)

pjmmoore · October 13, 2003

Hello all. I'm a newbie to this forum stuff. I've been reading this forum for about a month now and I am glad that I found it. You guys and gals have alot of valuable stuff here and I appreciate it. Anyway, I am also having the 'ol steering clunk issue so I thought I'd chime in. I've had my beast back to the dealer 5 or so times for the clunk. In those 5 visits I've had 2 new intermediate steering shafts installed and 3 lube kits installed. Most recently I purchased and installed the lube kit myself. I still have the clunk. If it is in fact the intermediate shaft causing the clunk it has to be at the two locations where it is bolted - there has got to be some kind of binding at these points. This is just my theory and I haven't proven it yet. From studying the steering shaft when I had it out I cannot see how any play could occur in the shaft itself. It's design just doesn't seem to allow it. Anyway, I'm still trying to figure this out as well.

Taaaaaaahoe? · October 14, 2003

That's what that is??? Wow... I thought it was a loose shock or somethine. Man that thing can be really annoying by the amount of noise it makes when going over a bumby road!

Thanks guys... I'm calling the dealership today. My truck's out of warranty so I wonder how much $$ they will charge me for this...

STOP!! WAIT!! DON"T TAKE IT TO DEALER its a 10 min DIY driveway job!! I can help. Dealer charges almost 200$

Ill post more latert....im at work

Do tell then!!

I called and made an appt for tom night and they said they they have a "kit" and that it would cost me $50-60 to lube the steering shift and it takes approx. an hour. Aparently they have to take the assembly out and out insert some kind of rubber seal it there to inject the grease? (yeah, I have no idea what i'm talking about here) But the serivce manager at the dealership, said it will definetly fix the problem. I've been to this dealership before and the service manager knows me by name. (Small town)

Yes, that is EXACTALY what I did this weekend! Will take 30 minutes TOPS! thats taking your time!

You take out the intermediate shaft (connects between steering wheel and other shaft under hood)

Now don't get all freaked out b/c its your steering shaft yopur removing..>It sounds tough, and the dealers MAKE it sound that way! I think changing your oil or a tire takes longer!

Look under your dash you will see a u-joint connected with a 15mm (i believe) bolt, remove it. Under your hood you will see another bolt on your shaft. Again another 15mm. Remove it. Your intermediate shaft is now disconcted. Im speeking for a tahoe here, but assume its the same for all (Specifics anyhow)

Hardest part of the whole thing is manuvering the shaft to remove it. Pull it out from the inside of the truck...Play around, it will come out. I decided to un-clip the little airduct that goes across the bottom of the dash for more room.

Once you have toe column out you will see the telescomping deal. When the shaft is FULLY extended (smaller shaft of the 2) there should be a min. of 1/2 inch of grease on it where it exits the larger part of the tube. Chances are if you have the clunk...there is NO grease.

This is where the $15 (NOT $50 by ANY MEANS) kit comes into play. If it were not for the rubber plug it comes with Id say go to pep boys, get some grease, and scrap the kit. But you do need that plug.

In the kit there are directions on how to lube the shaft properly until there is your min of 1/2 in grease showing. Then you re-install the shaft, insert your 2 nuts, and bingo, you saved a LOT of money! I promise, you will be done with the chore before most people would even get to the service department at the dealer. I think what the dealers do is tell you they have to take the steering shaft out...right then and there 99.9% of the people hear that and think this is not a DIY!!! WRONG!!! Forget these stealerships!!!

I have detailed pics and a writeup too!

MIke

Taaaaaaahoe? · October 14, 2003

However as stated above, this has cured the proble for may of people...in a one time shot!

however for me and others this has only masked the problem, it is still there slightly...but 90% better!!

Forsure a great start!!

kgornek · October 15, 2003

Well I went to the dealership and they fixed the problem for me for only $25 and gave me a free tire rotation. So, it saved me the time of having to do it myself and I don't regret it for the price.

And let me tell you.... a WORLD of difference!!!! Totally quiet now. Worth every penny. Thanks everyone!