STEERING REPAIR ISSUE

[yocomotion]

Please read the following timeline regarding a steering repair issue that I have on my '03 2WD Siverado 1500. I hope that someone will be able to offer advise on the situation.

 

In October of '03, I took my truck in for diagnosis and repair of what I reported to be a 'clunking' in the steering.

The dealer installed a lube kit for the intermediate steering shaft.

 

That seemed to have corrected the problem for a while but the noise eventually came back.

 

In December of '03, I took the truck back in and reported the same problem as before.

The dealer installed a new lube kit for the intermediate steering shaft.

 

The problem came back again.

 

On March 4, I took the truck back in for the same problem.

The dealer replaced the Upper Steering Shaft.

 

The 'clunking' noise/feeling seemed to have went away. But the power steering pump began to make a humming noise when the wheels were turned.

 

On March 25, I took the truck back in for the power steering pump issue.

The dealer replaced the power steering pump.

 

After picking up the truck, I noticed that the humming noise was still present in the 'new' power steering pump. The 'clunking' noise had also come back except now, the noise wasn't as prevalent.

 

At this point, I felt it neccesary to call GM Customer Service regarding the situation and advise on all of the events that led up to me contacting them. They began a customer service log. They advised me to take the truck back to the dealer to correct the problem. They also advised me that they would be in contact with the dealership and that they would be back in touch with me after the repair.

 

On April 5, I took the truck back in and explained to them that I was experiencing all of the same problems as before.

The dealer replaced the Steering Gear Assembly and alligned the front suspension to specs.

 

I am still noticing all of the same problems as before and have also noticed that at higher speeds (around 70MPH), there is a distinctive vibration and/or shuttering in the front suspension.

 

GM customer service contacted me yesterday. I advised her that I am still having problems with the vehicle. She advised me that through her discussions with the dealership, they feel the truck is fixed and there are no further repairs that they can make. GM see's no need to offer any extended warranty on this steering issue. She did however, encourage me to take the truck back to the dealership for another test drive to see if the problems that I am noticing can be repeated. I taking it in tomorrow.

 

My gut feeling is that they are not going to do anything further to correct the problem.

 

I am asking for help from anyone who has experienced the problems that I am having and for advise on what else could be wrong with the truck so that I can speak on an educated level at the test drive. What steps do I need to take if GM Customer Service and/or the dealership are not willing to correct the problem.

 

Any advise that you can give is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

 

Yocomotion

[quackmaster]

Well for what its worth,

 

I have had a laundry list of problems with my truck that were fixed at the dealer. Check this list out. Some are multiples.

-replace propeller shaft assembly 18105 miles

-replace front differential 18105 miles

-replace rear differential 19106 miles THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT!

-replace propeller shaft assembly 21616 miles

-replace window seals 21616 miles

-replace door linkage 22615 miles

-service differential 31191 miles

-replace window motor 31191 miles

-replace intermediate steering shaft 34691 miles

-replace power steering assembly 35540

 

At this point I wrote a letter to GM through their webpage and they contacted me and offered a me an extended warranty to 60,000 miles. I accepted this. No problems until

-replace rear U joint 70487 miles

-rear pinion bearing went out at 71555 miles

 

I'm up to 76,000 miles and nothing has broken this month

I like chevrolet trucks, but I am not quite sure I will get another one.

 

If you don't get anywhere on the phone try the email route through the main chevy page. They seem to be pretty quick to respond. I'm not sure, but it might actually be the same people you talk to on the phone. Hold your ground and tell them you aren't happy and you could always drive something else.

[Shaners]

I'd go for a ride in another 2wd truck that the dealer has on their lot. Take the service manager and compare the new one to yours... Then tell the service manager you want yours to drive/sound/feel like the new one.

[Quadrasteer]

I know the feeling, my '99 Deville had the same problem and they never did fix it permanently. Every GM truck i've had,'95,6,7,9,00 & 02, has had that problem. Someone should get a class action suit going against them! They're are guys on this site that could give you good advice on what to do next, good luck.