Getting The Corporation To Pay

[CapitalTruck]

I finally had the latest and greatest int. steering shaft installed on my 2004 with 70,000 miles. It set me back 300 clams. I tried to get GM to pay for it and they said no. (they offered a year of free oil changes, which I declined because I use synthetic and do my own oil changes). It had been replaced while still under the 3/36 warranty, of course that one went bad also. So, now I have a great steering feel but I am 300 bucks lighter. Did anybody else with mileage similar to mine have it covered by GM? I'm assembling a "package of persuation" to send to them regarding this issue. It just seems to me that the TSB sent out Jan 31 that covers the most recent new part # should be indication enough that the problem was on their end, not mine. I keep my truck immaculate, it would mean a lot for GM to cover the cost. We'll see if they reconsider. I wasn't real impressed with the customer service center.

[MS3DALE]

We have seen older trucks in the dealership with more miles on them than that and GM has paid to have the shaft replaced with the new one.

$300.00 seems kinda' high to me,list on the shaft itself is $92.00 so that leaves $208.00 for labor,Thats HIGH! It dosen't take but 25-30 minutes to change it out.

[rogerf]

We have seen older trucks in the dealership with more miles on them than that and GM has paid to have the shaft replaced with the new one.

$300.00 seems kinda' high to me,list on the shaft itself is $92.00 so that leaves $208.00 for labor,Thats HIGH! It dosen't take but 25-30 minutes to change it out.

Situations like this make me wonder if the dealer is double-dipping, soaking the customer and then getting reimbursed by GM.

[caddycruiser]

My mother had it replaced under warranty at 23k in her Suburban, then this summer, at 45k, after driving with one heck of a clunky beast for months and thousands of miles again, she broke down and took it in.

 

Final tab was $280, dealer installed, and neither the dealer would do anything differently since it had been done in warranty before, and called GM and didn't get anywhere either. Still ticked, especially if it happens again while she still has it (I told her to expect it, and with an Avalanche, then Suburban, both with the issue--she does).

[ewiski]

hmmm i paid 65 with shipping from gmpartsdirect.installed it myselff.total cost = 65 clams.If your willing to pay 300 then I belive you need to invest in some tools and a shop manual.and people wonder why dealers try to screw you over.

[bossier62guy]

I had mine replaced with the new shaft on my 02 w/ 60K miles for free. The key was that they had lots of previous maintenance documentation on that particular problem with my truck. They didn't even hesitate when I asked for the new shaft.

[omegafiler]

I'd definately make them pay since this is a known issue. Contact the service manager, show them the TSB, and explain they should give you your money back. If that doesn't do the trick, work your way up the chain. But if they know you're going to escalate anyways, they'll probably give in, especially since it's only 300 bucks.

[Misawan]

I finally had the latest and greatest int. steering shaft installed on my 2004 with 70,000 miles. It set me back 300 clams. I tried to get GM to pay for it and they said no. (they offered a year of free oil changes, which I declined because I use synthetic and do my own oil changes). It had been replaced while still under the 3/36 warranty, of course that one went bad also. So, now I have a great steering feel but I am 300 bucks lighter. Did anybody else with mileage similar to mine have it covered by GM? I'm assembling a "package of persuation" to send to them regarding this issue. It just seems to me that the TSB sent out Jan 31 that covers the most recent new part # should be indication enough that the problem was on their end, not mine. I keep my truck immaculate, it would mean a lot for GM to cover the cost. We'll see if they reconsider. I wasn't real impressed with the customer service center.

 

I heard about this problem on here before I took mine to the dealer. I had always thought that I had a shock or boot going bad. My dealer didn't hesitate to call GM and get them to pay for it. He did say that my truck had reasonable miles on it so they paid for it. From what it sounds on here it is hit or miss as to whether your dealer is willing to go the extra mile to get them to pay.