Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**LEEVON** · 06-22-2010, 12:05 AM

If you've had one of these GMT800 trucks or suv's for any period of time you've probably had a "clunk" or "rattle" in the steering column, usually when turning or going over bumps at slower speeds. It is highly annoying. I finally fixed my wife's Tahoe tonight using Napa / Dorman replacement (#425-176). These are supposedly better than even the GM replacements which reportedly had problems. The part is $61 and it changes the whole feel of a truck with this problem. They are very easy to replace, just (2) 15mm bolts and that's it, took about 15 minutes. Make sure you secure the steering wheel or you could break the clock spring which I guess would suck.

So if anybody has this problem, the p/n is here for reference.

You can also get it from Summit for $45: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...26tbs%3Disch:1

JohnC · 06-22-2010, 11:00 AM

Sweet thanks for posting that up. Mine is starting to do that, and I have just been dealing with it. Too bad we don't have rep points anymore because you would have earned some my friend!

**LEEVON** · 06-22-2010, 02:25 PM

No problem John, glad to help. I am excited, put the steering shaft and some new shocks on last night and my wife took it today for an alignment and balance. I think it's gonna ride like new, just the steering shaft being solid makes them drive like new.

Prerunner1982 · 06-22-2010, 03:52 PM

Such a common problem on many GM vehicles.......

JohnC · 06-22-2010, 05:03 PM

There was a guy that came into my work and was telling me that he took his off, and added a greaserk, and that helped a lot too.

However, if the new ones are a better design they probably won't wear out as fast.

bluex · 06-24-2010, 01:38 AM

Does this noise come from the floor? I'm starting to get a pop while turning and I thought this was it, but I dont feel anything in the steering wheel when it pops. I can however feel it under my left foot. Only does it when I'm turning and not over any other bumps in the road while going straight. Thats what has me confused????

renegade6 · 06-24-2010, 11:30 PM

Check your transfer crossmember bushings.

bluex · 06-25-2010, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renegade6

Check your transfer crossmember bushings.

If this is for me, my truck is 2wd.

To top it all off, I hit a pothole today (couldnt be avoided due to traffic) and now my airbag light is coming on everytime I hit bump....

bjcaldwe · 06-25-2010, 04:06 PM

When I bought my crew they changed out this shaft, but mine is back making noise. I will look into this fix.

mbgmike · 06-25-2010, 05:56 PM

Good post. Thats why there is a TSB on them but I can't find it right now. We also have 10 of them in stock for this very reason

Pull out your EPS fuse and see if the noise stops when making a turn.If it still makes it then its you little nylon assist gear that wears when meshing with the steel gear on the motor. SOmetimes it makes noise so it may not be the shaft.

If the sound persists its usually the column then. We can't keep them in stock very long.

stepside83 · 07-12-2010, 09:48 PM

ya my 2003 silverado does that too, when i make left or right turns at slow speed, it makes a clunking noise and i feel it in the steering wheel, ive just been dealing with it cuz i couldnt figure out where it came from, so if i replace the shaft with the one sugested above it will fix my clunky steering?

06-22-2010, 12:05 AM	#1
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk If you've had one of these GMT800 trucks or suv's for any period of time you've probably had a "clunk" or "rattle" in the steering column, usually when turning or going over bumps at slower speeds. It is highly annoying. I finally fixed my wife's Tahoe tonight using Napa / Dorman replacement (#425-176). These are supposedly better than even the GM replacements which reportedly had problems. The part is $61 and it changes the whole feel of a truck with this problem. They are very easy to replace, just (2) 15mm bolts and that's it, took about 15 minutes. Make sure you secure the steering wheel or you could break the clock spring which I guess would suck. So if anybody has this problem, the p/n is here for reference. You can also get it from Summit for $45: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...26tbs%3Disch:1 __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids Last edited by LEEVON; 06-22-2010 at 12:09 AM.

06-22-2010, 11:00 AM	#2
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk Sweet thanks for posting that up. Mine is starting to do that, and I have just been dealing with it. Too bad we don't have rep points anymore because you would have earned some my friend!

06-22-2010, 02:25 PM	#3
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk No problem John, glad to help. I am excited, put the steering shaft and some new shocks on last night and my wife took it today for an alignment and balance. I think it's gonna ride like new, just the steering shaft being solid makes them drive like new. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

06-22-2010, 05:03 PM	#5
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk There was a guy that came into my work and was telling me that he took his off, and added a greaserk, and that helped a lot too. However, if the new ones are a better design they probably won't wear out as fast.

06-24-2010, 01:38 AM	#6
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk Does this noise come from the floor? I'm starting to get a pop while turning and I thought this was it, but I dont feel anything in the steering wheel when it pops. I can however feel it under my left foot. Only does it when I'm turning and not over any other bumps in the road while going straight. Thats what has me confused???? __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/

06-22-2010, 03:52 PM	#4
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk Such a common problem on many GM vehicles....... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

06-24-2010, 11:30 PM	#7
renegade6 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texarkana, TX Posts: 443	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk Check your transfer crossmember bushings. __________________ Brandon 63 Biscayne https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/90718-63-Biscayne 57 Chevy Truck (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321380 72 K20 Long bed stepside (wife's) 72 K20 Long bed 396 (flip or keep...?) The latest build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...76#post8438476

06-25-2010, 04:06 PM	#9
bjcaldwe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 1,169	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk When I bought my crew they changed out this shaft, but mine is back making noise. I will look into this fix. __________________ My AD Truck Build Thread 52 GMC one day laying on the running boards 2004 Chevy Crewcab. 3/5 and notched

06-25-2010, 05:56 PM	#10
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk Good post. Thats why there is a TSB on them but I can't find it right now. We also have 10 of them in stock for this very reason Pull out your EPS fuse and see if the noise stops when making a turn.If it still makes it then its you little nylon assist gear that wears when meshing with the steel gear on the motor. SOmetimes it makes noise so it may not be the shaft. If the sound persists its usually the column then. We can't keep them in stock very long. Last edited by mbgmike; 06-25-2010 at 06:06 PM.

07-12-2010, 09:48 PM	#11
stepside83 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: butler pa Posts: 328	Re: Intermediate Steering Shaft clunk ya my 2003 silverado does that too, when i make left or right turns at slow speed, it makes a clunking noise and i feel it in the steering wheel, ive just been dealing with it cuz i couldnt figure out where it came from, so if i replace the shaft with the one sugested above it will fix my clunky steering?

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