intermediate steering shaft

motomodo · June 23, 2006

Is a clunking intermediate shaft a safety issue or just an annoyance?

How do you trace it to the shaft? I have a 2003 2500 4wd with 33000 highway miles. The font end clunks when going over bumps. I checked the entire front end and everything is tight. I've tried to shake the intermediate shaft but I don't feel any looseness there. Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide.

Motomodo

TEE · August 31, 2006

There's a shaft by borgeson that replaces the OEM shaft, but I personally don't think it's worth it. My rig has done it since the day I bought it (used), yea it's annoying but it could be worse. There are defects in any product you buy and it's not worth getting spun up about, the problems wont go away by getting irritated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your right but ,itsureashell don't help by setting on your hands and doing nothing!

Annoyance? Maybe if you think so...What about when your out in BFE somewhere and the thing locks up or better yet...falls off!

That'ts right, I said it!

I had a lower A arm bolt that fell out of my 04' GMC with 15K on it....

My buddy 04' Silverado is in the shop right now for a fuel pump at 20K and they don't even know when GM will have one availible....that's right...there's almost none availible...what does that tell you ?

I could go on and on about GM's quality in the last few years.

Farmedout JUNK!

blackberry · June 23, 2006

Is a clunking intermediate shaft a safety issue or just an annoyance?
How do you trace it to the shaft? I have a 2003 2500 4wd with 33000 highway miles. The font end clunks when going over bumps. I checked the entire front end and everything is tight. I've tried to shake the intermediate shaft but I don't feel any looseness there. Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide.

Motomodo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mine was just replaced under warrenty, I am guessing its a common problem because they knew what was wrong with it without looking at it

TEE · June 23, 2006

GM is beginning to really piss me off about all this junk!

My wife's 04 Sierra does it and the dealer says they can't duplicate it?

If I hear a GM tech tell me one more time that something is "normal"....I think I 'll drive it thru their showroom!

PaulieK · June 23, 2006

My 05 just had it replaced under warranty.

dewfpo · June 23, 2006

It's an annoyance, not a safety issue.

DEWFPO

redbugdave · September 12, 2006

Just thinking out loud about the shaft problem...how about drilling and tapping the outer housing and adding a grease zerk? I have an 06 K2500 and if mine starts klunking I will try that route. Can you think of any safety issues with this method?

seadoons · August 31, 2006

I have had mine lubed several times and replaced once or twice...I can't remember now. I had it replaced under extended warranty in February and now it is back and is WAY worse than it has ever been. It is very annoying, especially while slightly turning and moving at the same time.

TEE · September 15, 2006

How does the dealer "inject lube" into the joint? At least that's what they said to do to mine........

Anyone?Anyone?

GM-Tech · September 15, 2006

How does the dealer "inject lube" into the joint? At least that's what they said to do to mine........
Anyone?Anyone?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The shaft has to be removed. Using a syringe full of the special grease, inject into the hole in the end. Then plug the hole with a stopper that comes with the lube kit. The shaft is then collapsed to force the grease into the splines.

GM-Tech · September 15, 2006

The lube eliminates the play in the shaft and you won't feel the tapping in the steering wheel when you go over bumps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, it's not a problem of play. What it is is a slip/stick condition. When you turn and the body moves independently of the frame, the shaft needs to change length. The splined interface between the two halves of the shaft momentarily bind, then snap free, giving you that thunk feeling. The lube allows 'em to move freely and not stick... until all the grease is beat out of there.

Jet-X · August 30, 2006

I've had mine lubed twice and the steering shaft replaced once. All of this in a 1 year period. Just last week, I noticed the thumping is back. I think I'll just stock up on the lube kits and learn how to do it myself.

tasturbo86 · September 12, 2006

Might work.

You would have to be careful not to restrict the operation of the shaft.

It must be able to extend and retract freely.

Especially, if you were to crash.

I think I still have my old one.

I will take a look at it again.

terry

motomodo · June 24, 2006

It's an annoyance, not a safety issue.

DEWFPO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks to dewfpo. To those with problems getting help from the dealership I think you just have to be polite but firm. They need to know that you aren't going to go away. I think that it is admirable that some dealers have a vigorous program of hiring from the ranks of the visually and hearing impaired when it comes to service managers (no offense intended). They never seem to see or hear the problems that the customer is having. I've done better when Ihave been able to get the tech to take a test ride with me.

Soup · September 14, 2006

There is a TSB that explains how to remove the intermediate shaft and lube. It real easy to do. I removed mine when I had 50K miles on and now I have 140K and the problem hasn't come back. You need to buy a lube kit from a GM dealer to perform the procedure, approximately $20. The kit contains lube, instructions and a rubber plug that helps force the lube through the shaft splines. The lube eliminates the play in the shaft and you won't feel the tapping in the steering wheel when you go over bumps.