Steering intermediate shaft clunking . . .

GreenRado · May 21, 2002

Anyone out there have a relapse of the clunking intermediate steering shaft issue? It was replaced per TSB w/ P/N 26085548, per TSB w/ ~ 28,800 miles.

I noticed it is starting to exhibit the exact same symptoms as before, just not as bad. This is how the OE shaft progressed, but it took about 15K miles for it to get bad enough that the dealer would admit there was a need to replace it. Guess it's not critical now as it's off warranty anyway - now ~45K miles.

Any additional info/comments appreciated.

bassdog · May 21, 2002

Regardless of warranty or not, you should take it back and have it fixed again. Because it has been fixed once already, it should be covered if it is a continuous problem. They know it is a problem, ie. the TSB. Maybe it wasn't fixed correctly the first time...

I'd atleast call and explain your situation.

GnatGoSplat · May 21, 2002

The most recent TSB I've seen says not to replace the intermediate shaft, but instead to disassemble it and pack it full of grease. I haven't tried this, so I don't know if it works or not.

GreenRado · May 22, 2002

Thanks guys! Yeah, that's my plan bassdog, take it back sometime fairly soon so they can hash it over again.

Gnat . . Good handle! I haven't seen a recent TSB, but thanks - I'll bring that up with them! BTW, welcome to the site and forum. Great bunch of people here.

lauriet1 · May 22, 2002

GreenRado - here ya go. Had mine done at 18K, now at 20K and it hasn't come back (yet).

TSB #00-02-35-003A Clunking Noise Under Hood and can be felt in the Steering Wheel (Lubricate Intermediate Steering Shaft Assembly).

Condition

Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from under the hood that also can be felt in the steering wheel. These conditions may be more noticeable when turning at low speeds on rough road surfaces.

Correction

Remove the intermediate shaft from the vehicle and lubricate the intermediate shaft with a Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098419

Important

DO NOT REPLACE THE FOLLOWING INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT P/Ns

26085548

26049343

26083324

26088325

GreenRado · May 23, 2002

Thanks lauriet1 for the TSB - I'll be sure the service manager has this under his nose, and now the only issue is convincing them I have a re-lapse. ;)