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Steering shaft clunk

dr9672723

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dr9672723 Enthusiast

dr9672723

Posted
Posted

If anyone is interested- I have a 2003 Silverado 2WD with 30,500 miles. The dreaded steering clunk is beginning to show up. I asked the dealer service manager about installing the upgraded intermediate shaft, and I was told they could do it, but the clunk would eventually come back again with the revised shaft anyway, and it was a matter of keeping the shaft's splines lubricated with a high density grease.

 

He also went on to say that nearly everyone elses truck does this (Ford, etc.) as they have a similar arrangement, and that he has a Toyota that does it also. Said it was not a safety issue and that there was no danger of failure.

 

He said he has heard of guys drilling, tapping and installing a zerk fitting to keep it greased.....?

03GMCinBC Enthusiast

03GMCinBC

Posted
Posted

I had my clunk fixed several months ago and it hasnt come back yet.

 

There was a discussion here some time back about installing a zerk. I didnt go look for it but there was an argument about that option not working but I forget the reasons why. you might try searching for it.

carguru Senior Enthusiast

carguru

Posted
Posted

I've posted info about adding the grease fitting before. Here is the short version. If the dealer is telling you that people have done this successfully on GM trucks, I call :thumbs: I have heard of the steering clunk issue with other manufacturers. Plus, the trucks are not the only vehicle this is happening with. I've looked into the grease fitting idea. In order to get a zerk into the location on the shaft that is effective, it would have to be either very close to the firewall or under the boot extending into the engine compartment. This can lead to the fitting contacting the firewall or binding. Secondly, with the splines lenghthwise to the shaft, grease would only come out of one side of the shaft immediately where the grease fitting is. The splines would guide the grease either up or down the shaft via the splines adjacent to the fitting. Thirdly, the high density lube used for dampening is not commercially available at off the shelf retailers. This is a specialty dampening lube used only for noise/vibration dampening--not for lubrication.

dgrammer Enthusiast

dgrammer

Posted
Posted

What exactly do you guys mean by steering clunk? My 02 silverado has had a kinda rattle that you can feel in the steering wheel. It is not all the time, but is definately when you go over bumps, railroad tracks, etc. I had a 98 blazer before this and it did the same thing. I had it for 3 years and never got worse or anything. Is this basically the same thing your talking about?

 

Thanks

carguru Senior Enthusiast

carguru

Posted
Posted

Yep, a rattle that you feel more than you hear. It feels like a dull thump when you have the wheel slightly turned on a road that is just slightly bumpy. So far, I've put 8k on since I did mine earlier this year and it hasn't returned.

iron_786 Enthusiast

iron_786

Posted
Posted

this sounds like the issue im having with my 02, usually when ur going around a corner over a little rough patch u hear and feel a clunk clunk, seems to come from the drivers side front end area

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