Steering Wheel Clunk

[mlheck]

I have an 03 K1500 with a 6" RCD lift. I have a habit of grabbing the steering wheel to help pull myself up into the truck. I have noticed that the steering wheel is starting to clunk when I pull on it now. I am well aware of the intermediate shaft problem and my truck has the 2nd version of this shaft that I have re-greased twice now. This is something you can feel in the steering wheel when the truck is not moving. I can move the steering wheel up and down or side to side and make it clunk. I see in the service manual that there is some kind of bearing assembly in the steering column. Does anybody know if this can be tightened or does it have to be replaced? I checked the bolts holding the steering column to the dash and they are tight, so all of the movement I am feeling is coming from inside the steering column. Has anybody else had this issue, or does anybody know the fix for this?

 

Thanks,

Mike

[ewiski]

I would not pull on the steering wheel to get into your truck.they are not designed as a grab handle.

[05_2500HD]

This is EXACTLY what was happening with my truck - and I don't use my steering wheel as a grab handle either. After several half a** attempts to fix it at the Dealer (3 int shafts, the 2" muffler clamp trick, etc) they finally gave in and replaced the ENTIRE steering column. Problem fixed !!

[mlheck]

I was hoping I wouldn't have to replace the whole steering column, as the truck is out of warranty. I am a little apprehensive about tearing into the steering column though because of the air bag system.

[shawnmd]

I was hoping I wouldn't have to replace the whole steering column, as the truck is out of warranty. I am a little apprehensive about tearing into the steering column though because of the air bag system.

 

 

Have you figured out the problem, my truck has the same issue?

[jimbello]

I was hoping I wouldn't have to replace the whole steering column, as the truck is out of warranty. I am a little apprehensive about tearing into the steering column though because of the air bag system.

 

 

Have you figured out the problem, my truck has the same issue?

 

 

 

There was just a discussion on one of the other GM truck sites about this, Seems that guys problem was not the intermed. shaft but a ????sleave bushing/bearing???? in one of the other shafts