While greasing the steering shaft............

ebc · October 30, 2006

Greetings,

When I pulled the intermediate shaft out, I discovered the spacer clip was missing. It was probably omitted by the dealer tech who did the last lube job several years ago. I had no choice but to reassemble without the clip. What good does it serve? It appears to prevent crushing of the tubing under torque.

Thanks,

ebc

Deep Blue · October 30, 2006

Greetings,

When I pulled the intermediate shaft out, I discovered the spacer clip was missing. It was probably omitted by the dealer tech who did the last lube job several years ago. I had no choice but to reassemble without the clip. What good does it serve? It appears to prevent crushing of the tubing under torque.

Thanks,

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

EBC wish I could help but why are we going through this. Do Ford Dodge or Toyota full-sized trucks require owners to do periodic lubrication? What about the Titan?

ebc · October 30, 2006

Deep Blue,

Not sure I understand your question. Are you implying I should trade to another brand? I wish! The intermediate shaft gets dry and begins to rattle after a few years. No big deal to relube, but I am concerned about the lost clip.

Regards,

ebc

J45p3r · October 30, 2006

That is my impression, that it prevents crushing/flexing which could possibly cause the bolt to loosen over time.

ebc · October 31, 2006

That is my impression, that it prevents crushing/flexing which could possibly cause the bolt to loosen over time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was thinking of installing a lock washer on the lower bolt. They work very well for something so simple.

Thanks,

ebc

Deep Blue · October 31, 2006

Deep Blue,
Not sure I understand your question. Are you implying I should trade to another brand? I wish! The intermediate shaft gets dry and begins to rattle after a few years. No big deal to relube, but I am concerned about the lost clip.

Regards,

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

EBC not suggesting you trade but mine began to rattle (clunk) after only 6 months of ownership. Had I known that this was a problem I would not have purchased it. I bought my 2005 in late 2004 and the bulletin for 2005s did not come out until January of that year. It's a big deal in the sense that if the competition can design a driveshaft that does not need periodic lubrication, GM should also be able to do so. I had an independent technician check it out and he found play in the driveshaft. Yet I took it to The dealer twice and they said everything was normal.

As far as I know the Canyon and Colorado do not have this problem. Does anyone have information to the contrary?

ebc · November 1, 2006

Deep Blue,
Not sure I understand your question. Are you implying I should trade to another brand? I wish! The intermediate shaft gets dry and begins to rattle after a few years. No big deal to relube, but I am concerned about the lost clip.

Regards,

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

EBC not suggesting you trade but mine began to rattle (clunk) after only 6 months of ownership. Had I known that this was a problem I would not have purchased it. I bought my 2005 in late 2004 and the bulletin for 2005s did not come out until January of that year. It's a big deal in the sense that if the competition can design a driveshaft that does not need periodic lubrication, GM should also be able to do so. I had an independent technician check it out and he found play in the driveshaft. Yet I took it to The dealer twice and they said everything was normal.

As far as I know the Canyon and Colorado do not have this problem. Does anyone have information to the contrary?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Deep Blue,

I feel your pain. GM has a habit of leaving bugs in their designs for many years (eg., the plastic intake gaskets in the V6s). That said, I still like GM trucks. The 2007 (new style) doesn not have this bug but the V8s use the AFM that involves some complex lifters to deactivate cylinders. If those things prove unreliable, a clunking steering shaft will pale by comparison.

ebc

TEE · November 1, 2006

True but, if GM continues with this $ saving tactic...they are going to lose sales also!

Deep Blue · November 1, 2006

Deep Blue,
Not sure I understand your question. Are you implying I should trade to another brand? I wish! The intermediate shaft gets dry and begins to rattle after a few years. No big deal to relube, but I am concerned about the lost clip.

Regards,

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

EBC not suggesting you trade but mine began to rattle (clunk) after only 6 months of ownership. Had I known that this was a problem I would not have purchased it. I bought my 2005 in late 2004 and the bulletin for 2005s did not come out until January of that year. It's a big deal in the sense that if the competition can design a driveshaft that does not need periodic lubrication, GM should also be able to do so. I had an independent technician check it out and he found play in the driveshaft. Yet I took it to The dealer twice and they said everything was normal.

As far as I know the Canyon and Colorado do not have this problem. Does anyone have information to the contrary?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Deep Blue,

I feel your pain. GM has a habit of leaving bugs in their designs for many years (eg., the plastic intake gaskets in the V6s). That said, I still like GM trucks. The 2007 (new style) doesn not have this bug but the V8s use the AFM that involves some complex lifters to deactivate cylinders. If those things prove unreliable, a clunking steering shaft will pale by comparison.

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're right about that. I've been thinking the same thing.

67ChevyRedneck · November 1, 2006

Greetings,

When I pulled the intermediate shaft out, I discovered the spacer clip was missing. It was probably omitted by the dealer tech who did the last lube job several years ago. I had no choice but to reassemble without the clip. What good does it serve? It appears to prevent crushing of the tubing under torque.

Thanks,

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

EBC wish I could help but why are we going through this. Do Ford Dodge or Toyota full-sized trucks require owners to do periodic lubrication? What about the Titan?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you read the manual, you're actually supposed to lube up the suspension parts and other things every 15K. I doubt many people even do it once during the trucks lifetime. If you'd seriously consider the truck a POS because you have to lube a part periodically, you might want to consider a tundra for your next truck. Every Toyota truck that rolls of the assembly line is rock solid, has ZERO owner complaints, and is the best truck in the world.

Me? I prefer my Z71

*just being a smart ass by the way. I have yet to do mine on my truck, BUT I do think it needs it??? It REALLY sucks GM doesn't have a permanent fix for this, but if all I have to do over the life of my truck is lube up the steering shaft and slip yoke every once in a while, I'm 100% OK with that. Mine has 95K on it and mechanically has been rock solid, and the interior and exterior materials are holding up VERY well (paint, interior plastics and cloth, etc.)

As far as your missing part... have you tried ebay or GMpartsdirect.com? Your local dealer may have it for like a $1 or so?

ebc · November 1, 2006

Greetings,

When I pulled the intermediate shaft out, I discovered the spacer clip was missing. It was probably omitted by the dealer tech who did the last lube job several years ago. I had no choice but to reassemble without the clip. What good does it serve? It appears to prevent crushing of the tubing under torque.

Thanks,

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

EBC wish I could help but why are we going through this. Do Ford Dodge or Toyota full-sized trucks require owners to do periodic lubrication? What about the Titan?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you read the manual, you're actually supposed to lube up the suspension parts and other things every 15K. I doubt many people even do it once during the trucks lifetime. If you'd seriously consider the truck a POS because you have to lube a part periodically, you might want to consider a tundra for your next truck. Every Toyota truck that rolls of the assembly line is rock solid, has ZERO owner complaints, and is the best truck in the world.

Me? I prefer my Z71

*just being a smart ass by the way. I have yet to do mine on my truck, BUT I do think it needs it??? It REALLY sucks GM doesn't have a permanent fix for this, but if all I have to do over the life of my truck is lube up the steering shaft and slip yoke every once in a while, I'm 100% OK with that. Mine has 95K on it and mechanically has been rock solid, and the interior and exterior materials are holding up VERY well (paint, interior plastics and cloth, etc.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with you on that one. The only trouble I have had with my truck was self induced, (cheap tires). Not so on the Tundra. They have a driveshaft clunk that is impossible to ignore and still prevails to this day (on the 4 Runner as well). They are solid but far from perfect.

ebc

Deep Blue · November 1, 2006

Greetings,

When I pulled the intermediate shaft out, I discovered the spacer clip was missing. It was probably omitted by the dealer tech who did the last lube job several years ago. I had no choice but to reassemble without the clip. What good does it serve? It appears to prevent crushing of the tubing under torque.

Thanks,

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

EBC wish I could help but why are we going through this. Do Ford Dodge or Toyota full-sized trucks require owners to do periodic lubrication? What about the Titan?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you read the manual, you're actually supposed to lube up the suspension parts and other things every 15K. I doubt many people even do it once during the trucks lifetime. If you'd seriously consider the truck a POS because you have to lube a part periodically, you might want to consider a tundra for your next truck. Every Toyota truck that rolls of the assembly line is rock solid, has ZERO owner complaints, and is the best truck in the world.

Me? I prefer my Z71

*just being a smart ass by the way. I have yet to do mine on my truck, BUT I do think it needs it??? It REALLY sucks GM doesn't have a permanent fix for this, but if all I have to do over the life of my truck is lube up the steering shaft and slip yoke every once in a while, I'm 100% OK with that. Mine has 95K on it and mechanically has been rock solid, and the interior and exterior materials are holding up VERY well (paint, interior plastics and cloth, etc.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with you on that one. The only trouble I have had with my truck was self induced, (cheap tires). Not so on the Tundra. They have a driveshaft clunk that is impossible to ignore and still prevails to this day (on the 4 Runner as well). They are solid but far from perfect.

ebc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Problem is a number of owners have to have this done more often than every 15K. But I agree GM trucks have much to offer and I have no plans to purchase a Toyota. But for someone on the fence, the way GM has handled this could make a difference and they need to keep as much market share as possible.

05Silverado81 · November 1, 2006

Does anyone have a link on the how to grease the steering shaft? I read it was a sticky in this section but I can't find it anywhere. Thanks in advance.