Is this the "steering shaft lube" problem?

marc_w · May 18, 2004

Truck: '04 Silverado SS. 15,500 miles.

The other day, out of the blue, I started to get a very pronounced rattle or knock in the steering wheel and floorboards. It is just as easily felt, as it is heard. It only shows up when I have the wheel turned more than 45 degrees in either direction, while the truck is in motion. If I hold the wheel in one position while turning, I can make the noise happen by applying the throttle or brake. It is usually just a rapid knocking or rattle.... but can sometimes be so rapid that it sounds like a heavy creaking noise.

I had the steering shaft rattle in my old truck, an '02 Avalanche, but this one is much much worse, and much louder.

I don't believe it's a front end issue, but lately I've caught the front end wandering and pulling when I drive over parallel cracks in the road. I just found that a grease boot on an inner tie-rod was not secured to the large nut, allowing the grease to escape. This probably happend when I had the truck alligned about 10K miles ago. (I should have caught it sooner, but I only lube the front end every other oil change)

Can I get your thoughts?

Thanks.

JimG · May 18, 2004

Sounds *like* the steering shaft lube problem - my truck didn't wander when it was happening though.

But I had several of your symptoms:

- Wheel was turned approx 45 deg from center

- Truck was in motion

- Could occur using the brake or gas pedals

Since this truck of yours is brand-spanking new, take it to the dealer and let them sort it out.

Blue-2001-Z71 · May 18, 2004

My '01 isn't covered (ext warranty claims it's "routine Service"). Does anyone out there have the instructions on how to do this exactly? The dealer wants $70 and it seems fairly simple, I just don't know exactly what part needs the lube and what to use.

mdub · May 19, 2004

And a better question, has anyone implemented a permanent fix (grease zerk, improved bearing setup, etc) so the whole procedure doesn't have to be repeated periodically.

Have to say, I've never owned a truck that needed the steering column disasembled annually to keep it from knocking. And I'd be willing to bet GM is building the '04/'05s with the same known flaw...

JimG · May 19, 2004

Blue-2001-Z71,

Part I of the procedure: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...showtopic=26036

Part II of the procedure: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...showtopic=26037

mdub,

You're question is answered in the Part II section.

marc_w · May 19, 2004

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

I think I found out what the wandering was about...

This past weekend I pulled out the torsion bar adjusters, and completely started from scratch at re-leveling the truck. I've had a problem in the past where it handles real poorly and leans and bobs from side to side when going down the road. Well, I used a jack to get the wheel I was adjusting off the ground for "most" of the turns in I put in... but not all of them. I adjusted my fender height from about 34.9 to 35.25 inches via the bolts alone.

Something wasn't sitting right when that was done. I jacked up the front end last night to go over the components to make sure nothing obvious was going on. When I lowered the truck back down, the front end was at least a half inch over spec. I don't believe any amount of driving would have sorted this out on it's own.

I pulled a few turns out of the bolts to get them back down to the stock fender height, and it handles better than it did before. I'll have to go get it aligned now.

I still have the knock, for what it's worth... but it doesn't seem nearly as bad as it was. That's pretty odd.

Mort · May 19, 2004

I still have the knock, for what it's worth... but it doesn't seem nearly as bad as it was. That's pretty odd.

Probably just stretched that steering shaft out a bit when you raised the truck. This probably caused the spline to move to a less worn and/or lubricated part of the spline making more noise.

Tfin · May 19, 2004

I have my 02 Silverado at the dealer as I type this for the steering shaft knock. I was expecting to have the lube done, but the service guy said that GM now has a replacement part instead. This is being installed under my 3/36 warranty (I'm at 34,600 right now).

Unfortunately I'm still going to have to pay. I'm having my ebrake adjusted and just got a call to inform me that I need to have the rear break pads replaced as well.

AZ-Z71 · May 19, 2004

Just to add my $0.02 here, it is possible for when you jacked your truck up that the steering shaft extended, grabbed a little grease and now the shaft sounds quieter. Has happened before on mine and also had to push the intermediat back to get the head out and when replaced the rattle disappeared. But don't worry it will be back. After both times my came back after a little while. I need to grease mine as well but just haven't found the time to go get the grease and do it. Mine is knocking pretty good now.

JimG · May 19, 2004

Tfin,

Why are you having the brake pads replaced at 34,600 miles??

Was the e-brake forcing the pads into the rotors and wearing them faster? Regardless, I don't see how you should have to pay for anything when your truck is still under the original warranty.

I've almost lost track unless I count by hand the number of times my truck has been to the dealers (actually, it's there right now). In the 16-17 months I've owned it, GMC has not received $0.01 from me for any service performed on the vehicle.

Blue-2001-Z71 · May 19, 2004

Brakes are considered a normal wear item, and the goofy design of the small brake shoe within the disc parking brake seems to wear out rather fast. Mine has 44,000 on it and seems to hold fine. We'll see how long that lasts. Anyone know exactly what the replacement part mentioned above is? I need to fix mine, but if there's amore permanent fix out there, I'm all ears!

Tfin · May 19, 2004

Tfin,

Why are you having the brake pads replaced at 34,600 miles??

Was the e-brake forcing the pads into the rotors and wearing them faster? Regardless, I don't see how you should have to pay for anything when your truck is still under the original warranty.

I've almost lost track unless I count by hand the number of times my truck has been to the dealers (actually, it's there right now). In the 16-17 months I've owned it, GMC has not received $0.01 from me for any service performed on the vehicle.

That's a very good question. I don't know if the ebrake cause premature wear of the brake pads or not. I want to say no, because I think the the ebrake is its own seperate unit. 34,000 miles does seem awful eary to have the pads replaced. I bought the truck with 19,000 on it. Maybe the previous owner towed a lot?

The way I understand it is the brake pads are considered a "wear item" and thus not covered under warranty, regadless of whether they wear out early or not. The service manager said he could get the labor of changing them covered under my 3/36, but not the cost of the pads themselves.

AZ-Z71 · May 19, 2004

I just checked with a local dealer in both the parts department and the service department and they both tell me that they are unaware of a new replacement part for the steering shaft. The service department said all they do is lube it.

I'm running down there today to pick up a couple of small items like wheel well fastners, the new PCV with the fixed orfice (I replaced mine with one from Autozone about 20,000 miles ago and I just don't like the fit of it plus it wasn't the fixed orfice one), heat sheild bolt and of course the Steering shaft lube kit.

Just for your info

Lube kit $14.95

PCV $3.72

JimG · May 19, 2004

Doesn't GM do an inspection of the vehicle before re-selling it? If so, the pads should have shown evidence of wear and been replaced. Now, you've put on 14,000 miles - and if you're not towing or using the brakes excessively, I can't understand how your brake pads would be so worn out they need replacement. Geez, I live in NJ and b/t the idiot drivers and traffic lights my brakes get a workout everyday and I still have the original pads on the truck.

Ya know, I'd swear and I'll check this tonight, but I think the window sticker of the truck clearly states something like "Long Life Brakes", at least for '03 trucks. Anyway, I guess paying parts cost only isn't so bad, beats labor. Heck if that's the case, I'd go buy some really nice aftermarket pads and have them put on instead of paying the OEM price.

Blue-2001-Z71 · May 19, 2004

OE Brakes and shocks are crap. And yes, the parking brake is separate from the rear disc brakes on the newer models. It uses a weird little shoe INSIDE the disc to hold the brake. I hear there's no way to adjust it so they wear out easily. My dad's Suburban eats brakes like there's no tomorrow. He's even tried some serious HD aftermarket stuff also.