Intermediate steering shaft lube

lancer1991 · October 9, 2006

Finally got around to putting in that tube of grease this weekend. Have a couple of things I'd like to discuss.

First, I had the rattle/knock or whatever you want to call it with the steering, but also developed a rubbing or whining noise on slow left turns (into parking spots, etc.). The noise at first was more towards the far extents of left, but eventually became prominent with little tire turn (still only left though). After the lube the noise has quieted greatly, but back at the more sharper turns. I'm wondering if part of it was the intermediate shaft as it has gotten better, but can anyone think of anything else I may need to look at? Wasn't sure if maybe the knuckles could use a shot of WD or grease.

Second, I ran across some difficulties while trying to remove the shaft and I'm curious if I misunderstood some of the steps. First off, the nuts on my '02 1500 Z71 Silverado were 15mm rather than the 17mm stated in the initial 'how to' I read. The next thing I noticed was that after straightening my tires, tying down the steering wheel, I also disconnected the battery, shut off passenger air bag, and pulled the wires on the BCM, I noticed that the nut under the dash was on the left side as sitting in the seat which I couldn't get a socket on as there is a metal bracket right there. I did give the steering a little turn to get the socket on it and fight to break it loose. I'm wondering if it is okay to loosen the nut first then lock everything down with the tire straight and then pull the bolt? Upon reassembly I ended up putting the nut on hand tight and turning the wheel as I never would be able to get the torque wrench to tighten up to specs. I wonder if it would have been okay to put the bolt in from the left and leave the nut on the right side.

Either way, I'm glad to get rid of the vibration again, as I had the dealer lube once, replace once, and had them tell me to take a flying leap the third time and tell me it is now a general maintenance item (I was outside the warranty however).

Midwest GMC · October 9, 2006

Same problem here, 03 sierra Z71. they lubed the shaft, then replaced under warranty. It is kluncking again. Dealer wanted 120.00 to re lube. I will be doing it myself. I think I will have to re lube it once a year.

WindyCityPilot · October 9, 2006

Same problem here, 03 sierra Z71. they lubed the shaft, then replaced under warranty. It is kluncking again. Dealer wanted 120.00 to re lube. I will be doing it myself. I think I will have to re lube it once a year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But it's a maintenance item.

TEE · October 10, 2006

Friggin' .......Maintenance item?

GD GM is F' up!

lancer1991 · October 11, 2006

Rubbing noise is coming back more now. Anyone have any ideas? Has to partially be involved with the shaft as it did quiet down right after.

cdmm151 · October 11, 2006

Try spraying WD 40 on the complete shaft from under the dash and continueing in the motor compartment all the way to where it ends at the steering box. Make sure you get the rubber areas real good. I have had the samething and it went away after this proceedure.

Deep Blue · October 11, 2006

Try spraying WD 40 on the complete shaft from under the dash and continueing in the motor compartment all the way to where it ends at the steering box. Make sure you get the rubber areas real good. I have had the samething and it went away after this proceedure.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool but I doubt that anything you spray on will last. The idea is we should not have to do any maintenance procedures on the shaft; if the shaft was designed to maintained in this way it should have been included in the maintenance schedule found in the owner's manual. GM needs a redesigned shaft that eliminates the problem consistently (not just for some consumers) and permanently.

Lovemytahoez71 · October 11, 2006

Same thing here....paid $150 last week for this.

03sierraSWB · October 14, 2006

I have had to do the same thing with mine. I had it replaced the first time under warranty, but the clerk said that the reason why it starts to knock like that is becuase GM uses a nylon bushing for it.

He said there is no chance of it failing, but I still don't like being able to feel the knock and vibration from the shaft in the steering wheel. I can get along with the noise just fine, its the feeling in the wheel that I don't like.

But as for using wd40, using anything that lighweight won't last long, and it might pick up dust and stuff from the road, should you happen to drive down a dirt/ dusty road. (like me).

XR Man · October 14, 2006

Had mine done today--feel like I got a deal though at $85 if its costing some of you $100+.

lancer1991 · August 14, 2007

Reviving my old post. Starting to rattle again. Go to the dealership to get another lube pack and to my surprise they stopped making it as they have this new an improved shaft. Isn't that just great. They wouldn't fix it last time for me, now I'm stuck having to pay $100 just for the replacement part. I figured $15 every year wouldn't have been bad even if I kept this truck for another 5 years, I'd still not hit the cost of the replacement shaft. Of course what is my time worth, who knows, but it's cheaper than the dealerships time.

Misawan · August 15, 2007

Finally got around to putting in that tube of grease this weekend. Have a couple of things I'd like to discuss.

First, I had the rattle/knock or whatever you want to call it with the steering, but also developed a rubbing or whining noise on slow left turns (into parking spots, etc.). The noise at first was more towards the far extents of left, but eventually became prominent with little tire turn (still only left though). After the lube the noise has quieted greatly, but back at the more sharper turns. I'm wondering if part of it was the intermediate shaft as it has gotten better, but can anyone think of anything else I may need to look at? Wasn't sure if maybe the knuckles could use a shot of WD or grease.

Second, I ran across some difficulties while trying to remove the shaft and I'm curious if I misunderstood some of the steps. First off, the nuts on my '02 1500 Z71 Silverado were 15mm rather than the 17mm stated in the initial 'how to' I read. The next thing I noticed was that after straightening my tires, tying down the steering wheel, I also disconnected the battery, shut off passenger air bag, and pulled the wires on the BCM, I noticed that the nut under the dash was on the left side as sitting in the seat which I couldn't get a socket on as there is a metal bracket right there. I did give the steering a little turn to get the socket on it and fight to break it loose. I'm wondering if it is okay to loosen the nut first then lock everything down with the tire straight and then pull the bolt? Upon reassembly I ended up putting the nut on hand tight and turning the wheel as I never would be able to get the torque wrench to tighten up to specs. I wonder if it would have been okay to put the bolt in from the left and leave the nut on the right side.

Either way, I'm glad to get rid of the vibration again, as I had the dealer lube once, replace once, and had them tell me to take a flying leap the third time and tell me it is now a general maintenance item (I was outside the warranty however).

I just got this problem fixed by my dealer yesterday. GM authorized the work to be done, even though the warranty has expired. My truck drives really nice now. I guess I never noticed how bad it was before now. They replaced the mid shaft for free.