GMT800 Intermediate Steering Shaft, Steering Bearing rattle/clunk fix using hose clamp.

BG710 · August 7, 2020

Many of those with a GMT800 may be familiar with the characteristic clunk that can develop when the intermediate steering shaft and/or steering bearing are worn out. It feels like your whole front end is going to fall off, but it's really the result of some rather minor play as the shaft rapidly shifts back and forth. If your steering bearing is worn you can reproduce the sound by simply grabbing the steering shaft in the engine bay and shaking it from side to side. Both parts have been redesigned by GM (twice in the case of the intermediate steering shaft). After experiencing it on my 2001 Silverado I've done a lot of research on the replacement parts and repairs, as well as spent quite a bit of time reading the experiences of others.

My understanding of the issue is as follows.

The OE intermediate steering shaft is prone to poor lubrication. At low speeds this can make the wheel difficult to turn and produces a creaking/squeaking noise. A worn intermediate steering shaft can produce rattle but
Most report that while replacing the shaft with an updated model will alleviate the creaking and turning resistance, most of the time to alleviate clunking it requires replacing the steering bearing, however
Some report that the new steering bearing will only temporarily alleviate the problem and the clunk returns in a few weeks, months, or years.

I was about ready to order an updated intermediate steering shaft and steering bearing when I read an Amazon comment mentioning the issue returning and the fix being to apply a hose or exhaust clamp to the bearing. After Googling, I stumbled upon a thread from another forum.

https://www.gmfullsize.com/threads/how-to-gm-steering-column-rattling-fix.290566/

I decided to give it a shot. And it works! It won't fix the creaking and resistance of the intermediate steering shaft since that is a lubrication issue, but the shaft no longer rattles and the steering bearing is now tight and can't be rotated by hand. Truck doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart going over bumps anymore.

I'll still have to replace my intermediate steering shaft at some point, and while I'm at it I might as well replace the bearing as well, but I figured I'd share the information for anybody who might be struggling with this either pre or post bearing replacement.

The hose clamp I used was cheapo and just what I had lying around. If you attempt this I'd probably recommend using a clamp with a hex nut on it for longevity and easy tightening + removal.

Anyway, hope this could help somebody. Credit to those who have discovered this before. I've attached a photo of what it looks like after install.