Update On Intermediate Steering Shaft

[redpete]

There are a lot of threads about the intermediate steering shaft out there…

 

I am looking for the most up to date information. My 2002 Silverado has had the low speed clunks for quite some time, but I have not spent any money on getting it fixed when there was no long term solution.

 

What is the story on GM replacement shafts? Have there been multiple different attempts on fixing this problem? Does the current replacement shaft fix the problem?

 

How about the aftermarket shafts? Dorman and Borgensen are mentioned…do these solve the problem?

 

What tools and skill level are necessary to change these shafts?

 

Thanks.

[need-for-speed]

There are a lot of threads about the intermediate steering shaft out there…

 

I am looking for the most up to date information. My 2002 Silverado has had the low speed clunks for quite some time, but I have not spent any money on getting it fixed when there was no long term solution.

 

What is the story on GM replacement shafts? Have there been multiple different attempts on fixing this problem? Does the current replacement shaft fix the problem?

 

How about the aftermarket shafts? Dorman and Borgensen are mentioned…do these solve the problem?

 

What tools and skill level are necessary to change these shafts?

 

Thanks.

 

I can't give much tech info, but since no one has responded, I will at least tell you our situation. Our 2005 Tahoe had the problem. First dealer visit, I think they did the cheap fix which was inject grease in some coupling. Worked great for about 3 mos. , then it was back - same symptoms you just described. Took it back later, and they did a real fix - which was to replace the shaft (and / or coupling?) . That was about 18 mos and 18K miles ago and it is still good.

 

I'll see if I can find the paperwork and part numbers that were replaced and post tonight if someone else doesn't do it by then.

[bossier62guy]

There are a lot of threads about the intermediate steering shaft out there…

 

I am looking for the most up to date information. My 2002 Silverado has had the low speed clunks for quite some time, but I have not spent any money on getting it fixed when there was no long term solution.

 

What is the story on GM replacement shafts? Have there been multiple different attempts on fixing this problem? Does the current replacement shaft fix the problem?

 

How about the aftermarket shafts? Dorman and Borgensen are mentioned…do these solve the problem?

 

What tools and skill level are necessary to change these shafts?

 

Thanks.

 

The most current shaft is P/N 19153614 if I'm not mistaken. I've had it in my 02 since Mar 07 and it's working fine so far. As far as replacing it my local dealer did it on the house since I had many documented cases of steering wheel clunk. There are many post here that outline the procedure though.

[C & A s Dad]

We have already sold hundreds of the Dorman 425 176 replacement shafts and so far not even one issue. It has been a huge hit with the Independent Installers we service because of the way Dorman redesigned the unit. I would encourage you to take a look at one and you will see what I am talking about.

 

To be fair, my GMC Dealer replaced the one in my Yuk XL about 3 months ago just before the Dorman unit became avail. They did so under warranty and it has been fine. However, this one was replacing one they had installed about 2 years prior that was also supposed to be a revised unit. The noise stayed away about 18 months and came back. So far so good with this one but it has only been 3 months.

 

Hope this helps.

[ewiski]

personally i find the dorman to be a rip off.i bought my revised gm shaft for 65 bucks.i can buy a few new gm shafts for the price of a dorman.

[redvett]

Has the Dorman and Borgensen shafts been barrier & durability tested? Probably not. I myself dont want to take a chance in event of an accident.

[Norseman]

personally i find the dorman to be a rip off.i bought my revised gm shaft for 65 bucks.i can buy a few new gm shafts for the price of a dorman.

 

Personally, I'm usually willing to pay up for a product if that means I won't have to keep fixing the same thing over and over.

 

But, that's just me.

[KyRob]

My 04 has about 30,000 miles on it. When this problem starts, will I recognize it or is it a subtle noise? Can you feel the klunk as well as hear it?

 

Also, I hear the klunk when tranny shifts into 2nd or 3rd. Seems I read where someone pulled the drive shaft and greased the splined end of the yoke. Is this correct?

 

Thanks,

Rob

[sulman]

My 04 has about 30,000 miles on it. When this problem starts, will I recognize it or is it a subtle noise? Can you feel the klunk as well as hear it?

 

Also, I hear the klunk when tranny shifts into 2nd or 3rd. Seems I read where someone pulled the drive shaft and greased the splined end of the yoke. Is this correct?

 

Thanks,

Rob

 

My 06 with 34K just developed the steering shaft problem. I definitely feel it as well as hear it. The noise may be subtle, but the feeling is not. Into the dealer Tuesday.

[ZZ327]

ill tell you exactly what I did.

 

 

I used a plumbing clamp( as suggested on this site) around the pipe where the white/green bushing is pressed in to where whole steering shaft runs through that is underneath the dash.

look that up, youll find it here.

 

2 Opposite of what a GM tech said on here, I drilled and tapped a grease zerk into the lower end of the steering shaft under the hood. Ill grease it every 3-5K miles when I get a service.

 

 

 

CLUNK GONE.

GREASE_ZERK_LOCATION_STEERING.bmp

GREASE_ZERK_LOCATION_STEERING.bmp

GREASE_ZERK_LOCATION_STEERING.bmp

GREASE_ZERK_LOCATION_STEERING.bmp

[C & A s Dad]

personally i find the dorman to be a rip off.i bought my revised gm shaft for 65 bucks.i can buy a few new gm shafts for the price of a dorman.

 

I am afraid that Dorman was not the rip off but the place you priced it from. Either they had the wrong price or simply had it priced too high. I do not quote prices here but I can tell you the Dorman is priced very competetively.

 

Redvett, I am going to see if I can find out if the Dorman piece was barrier tested. I am certainly no engineer but from having the piece in my hand, it colapses and expands very easily and has almost a precision feel to it. The upper coupling looks just like the OE piece but the shaft is the part that is designed differently. I cannot imagine any reputable company would possibly release a piece that is steering related without it meeting all of the specs. As far as durability tested, I am sure they ran some type of testing but nothing will tell the real story like 2 years and 40,000 miles on a real road. Just look at the OE piece, I am sure GM tested it but the real world proved it was not durable.

 

If I can get an anwer about the barrier testing I will let you know.

[redpete]

How hard is it to replace the shaft? Can a guy with good directions do it himself?

[C & A s Dad]

Yes, it is really no big deal but there is one very important thing. You cannot let the steering wheel spin while the shaft is unhooked> You have to have a way to hold the wheel in place. There is a tool for this but a ratchet strap hooked under the seat and to the wheel will do fine. Just do not let that wheel turn while the shaft is out. It can and likely will mess up the clock spring in the steering column.

[redpete]

Which shaft would you install? Borgeson, Dorman or GM?

 

Is this the part causing the problem?

 

The Borgeson looks beefier, but is it worth the extra money?

 

Are any of them a permanent fix?

 

The prices are approximate...used for reference only...

 

GM ($60)

Sorry, no pict...

 

The Borgeson ($250)

 

The Dorman ($50)

[redpete]

Any opinions?