Steering Shaft

newtc84 · October 27, 2008

So I have a 2001 Silverado that I bought used recently. I really like the truck, but there are a couple things that have already gone wrong with it. I won't bore everyone with those, but I do want to get some advice on the intermediate steering shaft. I know we have almost all heard or dealt with that nice little vibration when turning at slow speeds especially in the parking lot. Well, I did some research and with all of your help determined it was my inter. steering shaft. So I bought a new one from the dealer, a $90 part. I installed it myself, relatively easy, and the steering felt great!!.........for about 2 weeks. Now I can slowly but surely hear the same old vibration coming back. So is this just something we all have to deal with, or is there any way to solve this problem permanently? Also, is it hurting anything else in my steering system, or just that stupid shaft? Honestly, I can't believe GM has not really fixed this problem. It seems so minor.

2000DV4.8 · October 27, 2008

I just ignore it. From what I've heard, it won't lead to any kind of failure, it's just annoying.

If I'm wrong about the 'not leading to failure' part, someone let me know, I don't want my steering shaft to just fall apart on me.

October 27, 2008

So I have a 2001 Silverado that I bought used recently. I really like the truck, but there are a couple things that have already gone wrong with it. I won't bore everyone with those, but I do want to get some advice on the intermediate steering shaft. I know we have almost all heard or dealt with that nice little vibration when turning at slow speeds especially in the parking lot. Well, I did some research and with all of your help determined it was my inter. steering shaft. So I bought a new one from the dealer, a $90 part. I installed it myself, relatively easy, and the steering felt great!!.........for about 2 weeks. Now I can slowly but surely hear the same old vibration coming back. So is this just something we all have to deal with, or is there any way to solve this problem permanently? Also, is it hurting anything else in my steering system, or just that stupid shaft? Honestly, I can't believe GM has not really fixed this problem. It seems so minor.

there is a kit from the dealer that has a suringe,grease, rubber stopper and directions....i use these all the time on clients trucks and have great success with them..seems to last a year or so before needing to do it again

thewaterboy · October 27, 2008

The dealer installed a grease fitting into my Int. shaft on my 04 pickup and when I could feel the "clunk" I'd just give it a couple pumps of grease and she was good to go again. The dealer told me it would not cause any harm to anything was more annoying but not dangerous.....

bwilson14 · October 28, 2008

So I have a 2001 Silverado that I bought used recently. I really like the truck, but there are a couple things that have already gone wrong with it. I won't bore everyone with those, but I do want to get some advice on the intermediate steering shaft. I know we have almost all heard or dealt with that nice little vibration when turning at slow speeds especially in the parking lot. Well, I did some research and with all of your help determined it was my inter. steering shaft. So I bought a new one from the dealer, a $90 part. I installed it myself, relatively easy, and the steering felt great!!.........for about 2 weeks. Now I can slowly but surely hear the same old vibration coming back. So is this just something we all have to deal with, or is there any way to solve this problem permanently? Also, is it hurting anything else in my steering system, or just that stupid shaft? Honestly, I can't believe GM has not really fixed this problem. It seems so minor.

I just bought a used 2004 Tahoe Z71 and have the same issue ... didn't really notice until my wife drove it and noticed. So ... I investigated this and it seems that there is no main fix other than the grease. If they repalce that shaft it fixes it but will come back again. From some other investigation that there is a shaft better to fix the problem than the one from GM and it's from a company called Borgeson and they are on the web. Search on them on the web ... not sure if links are permitted on the site here ... but there were about 160 something posts on one forum about this same issue on a number of GM trucks with this issue ... just to let you know ...

C & A s Dad · October 28, 2008

You can do one of two things to fix this. If you purchase the new GM part # it has been revised and to my knowledge has cured this issue. Mine was replaced over a year ago and I have not heard one cluck since. You can also buy one from Dorman OE Solutions, # 425 176 and it will also remove the noise. It is a revised design and since they were introduced, we have sold over 200 of them from the one Dist Center I work out of and have not had any issues at all.

newtc84 · October 28, 2008

Thank you everyone. I will look into both of the aftermarket solutions that you guys presented me with. Hopefully one will be the cure. If not, I guess I will get used to this noise, but I really do hate it. Thanks again.