Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement

Jet-X · December 21, 2005

The intermediate steering shaft was replaced on my truck (2002 1500 2WD) 10 months ago. I waited 5 months for this part to come in! This was suppose to fix the popping noise and the steering wheel thumping. It worked for a while, however these symptoms are slowly returning. I still have the 2 months left on the 12 month warranty. If I bring it back to the dealer, what do you think would be their course of action? I'm sure they wouldn't replace the shaft again. Maybe lube it or perhpas do nothing and categorize it as normal operation? Thanks..

GM-Tech · December 21, 2005

We'd replace it again under the parts warranty. Dunno what your dealer will do.

nmiller803 · December 22, 2005

The intermediate steering shaft was replaced on my truck (2002 1500 2WD) 10 months ago. I waited 5 months for this part to come in! This was suppose to fix the popping noise and the steering wheel thumping. It worked for a while, however these symptoms are slowly returning. I still have the 2 months left on the 12 month warranty. If I bring it back to the dealer, what do you think would be their course of action? I'm sure they wouldn't replace the shaft again. Maybe lube it or perhpas do nothing and categorize it as normal operation? Thanks..

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I had a 2000 2500 silv. Dealer put 4 shafts in. They would last 2 to 3 months. The fix was just greasing it. There is a grease kit from gm that comes with a syrenge loaded with synthetic grease and a rubber plug . remove the bolt that holds the upper and lower steering shafts together. seperate the two. squeze the grease inside the upper shaft. Cap the opening with the supplied plug and pump the shaft in and out of the firewall until it becomes stiff. Remove the plug and reassemble. We have three new Chev trucks that all have the same problem. Have done it to all. Take me about 10 minutes. Lasts about a year. Just keep the plu and syrenge and refill it with grease to reuse.

Mark_in_Tulsa · December 22, 2005

The intermediate steering shaft was replaced on my truck (2002 1500 2WD) 10 months ago. I waited 5 months for this part to come in! This was suppose to fix the popping noise and the steering wheel thumping. It worked for a while, however these symptoms are slowly returning. I still have the 2 months left on the 12 month warranty. If I bring it back to the dealer, what do you think would be their course of action? I'm sure they wouldn't replace the shaft again. Maybe lube it or perhpas do nothing and categorize it as normal operation? Thanks..

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I had a 2000 2500 silv. Dealer put 4 shafts in. They would last 2 to 3 months. The fix was just greasing it. There is a grease kit from gm that comes with a syrenge loaded with synthetic grease and a rubber plug . remove the bolt that holds the upper and lower steering shafts together. seperate the two. squeze the grease inside the upper shaft. Cap the opening with the supplied plug and pump the shaft in and out of the firewall until it becomes stiff. Remove the plug and reassemble. We have three new Chev trucks that all have the same problem. Have done it to all. Take me about 10 minutes. Lasts about a year. Just keep the plu and syrenge and refill it with grease to reuse.

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How much is that kit? And it only took ya 10 min?

Also here is the tech article from this site with pictures showing how to do it.

Tech Article

00Tahoe · December 22, 2005

I just did this to my Tahoe yesterday. The kit was $20. I followed the directions on this site and took me about 40 minutes. Next time won't take nearly as long. But I would like to know what kind of grease you are using if you are saying to keep the plug and syringe to refill the syringe with.

BAD2500HD · December 23, 2005

Just had my shaft replaced on tues. ... or maybe it was me who got the shaft ?? i hope the new one last !! seems like by now they would have this all worked out and have a fix for this , now i know i'm getting the extra warranty for my truck !!

obbop · January 14, 2006

The intermediate steering shaft was replaced on my truck (2002 1500 2WD) 10 months ago. I waited 5 months for this part to come in! This was suppose to fix the popping noise and the steering wheel thumping. It worked for a while, however these symptoms are slowly returning. I still have the 2 months left on the 12 month warranty. If I bring it back to the dealer, what do you think would be their course of action? I'm sure they wouldn't replace the shaft again. Maybe lube it or perhpas do nothing and categorize it as normal operation? Thanks..

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No personal experience with the linked-to ISS. Found mention on anuddah' message board. A chap bought and installed it after repeated problems with the GM-made shaft. Guess he repeatedly got "the shaft."

Yuk yuk.... I crack me up. burp.

Anyway..... here's a link:

http://www.borgeson.com/TruckProductChevy.htm

The bloke installing the critter said he'd report back after awhile as to how the non-GM shaft was doing.

From the linked-to site:

"1999-05 Full Size Pickups

The 1999 through 2005 model Chevy trucks are known to develop a distinct "clunk" in the steering. They can also have a "ratchet" feel at low speeds. Borgeson has developed a replacement steering shaft to eliminate these symptoms and upgrade the steering to our zero play needle bearing universal joint. The assembly is also available with our vibration reducer to damp road vibration."

"1973-94 Full Size Pickups

Over time and when used in applications such as towing, plowing, and off-roading, truck steering components will wear out. Although factory steering shafts for many model years are no longer available from General Motors, your worn out steering intermediate shafts can now be replaced with the heavy-duty Borgeson direct bolt in replacement assembly. Using common hand tools, these replacement assemblies can be installed in about a half hour. Consisting of a precision needle bearing u-joint, telescoping shaft, and a rag joint disc, this assembly will fix that wandering, loose steering once and for all.

Extreme duty shafts for 1973-1991 GM part numbers 933 and 935 below offer 1973-1991 GM truck owners the option of eliminating the rag joint at the steering box and replacing it with a second box and replacing it with a second universal joint. The rag joint flange must be removable and not permanently mounted to the steering box spline."

Prices are listed and are a wee bit above a couple hundred bucks.

I just wish that one of the aftermarket suppliers would offer some sort of plastic insert for the rear wheel wells, a screw-in, bolt-in, plastic fastener-in or sumpthin-in thingy to keep the rocks and crud kicked up by the rear wheels from impacting with the metal back there.

That's all I want outta' life but...... is there sumpthin' so simple available to buy? Not that I can find!!!!!!

Sheesh. If China can import a car to the USA you'd think someone 'round these parts would offer a simple basic non-toxic for-the-masses plastic shield device thingy for my nifty keen super-duper pick-em-up truck.

Hecktorx · January 16, 2006

I have about 8K miles on my borgeson shaft. So far so good.

Mark2500HD01 · January 16, 2006

Would this intermediate steering shaft problem, make the wheel move. Example: My steering wheel was shaking, so I put my truck on the lift, raised the wheels... And when you move the driverside wheel back and fourth, it moves, however the passenger wheel is tight.... Ball joints are good, tie rod ends are good, so I was led to belive that it was the hub making all the noise and making the steering wheel shake. So, will I be wasting money on replacing the hub ($250)? and is my problem really the intermediate steering shaft?

thanks

sgiangregorio · February 15, 2006

I don't know for sure, but I doubt it would be the steering shaft. The shaft goes through the firewall, and connects to another shaft that does into the steering box. It doesn't connect directly to any front end driveine components, at least not that I'm aware of.

sgiangregorio · February 15, 2006

remove the bolt that holds the upper and lower steering shafts together. seperate the two. squeze the grease inside the upper shaft. Cap the opening with the supplied plug and pump the shaft in and out of the firewall until it becomes stiff. Remove the plug and reassemble.
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So are you saying you didn't even remove the shaft from the vehicle completely? Did you only disconnect it under the hood, not under the steering wheel? You just disconnected the bolt under the hood?

Sorry, I wasn't following you.