Lower steering column link --Klunks

[Huck]

I know this has been a common problem on every 99 and up chevy full size truck---the lower steering column link is supposely filled with some kind of grease that tends to allow for you to feel KLUNKS over time. GM wants like $100.+ for the replacement part that has limited availability do to the stupid design problem. My friend Bill replaced his only to have it start happening within 6 months!
Is anyone familiar with this problem, been successful with a fix, and / or can describe what can be done to resolve this dumb GM design problem????? It is driving me "klunky"!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Huck;

.....
Is anyone familiar with this problem, been successful with a fix, and / or can describe what can be done to resolve this dumb GM design problem????? It is driving me "klunky"!!

Yeah, pull the shaft repack it with lithium grease and it won't clink for 4-6 months.

I wonder if there is a place to drill for a zerk fitting?

[trixter99]

My 05 SS has to go in for the same thing this Wednesday, GM will only regrease the damn thing because they say changing it does not fix the problem.

[Huck]

What The Hell Is Wrong With The Gm Truck Group For Allowing A Stupid Problem Like This To Linger Forever??? This Is Not High Tech Design Yet Instead Of Just Going After And Fixing The Dumb Thing, They Let The Product And The Company Get A Bad Name For Failing To Fix An Obvious Design Fault!! Maybe We Need To Create A Write In Campaign To Get The Truck Division General Manager Fired For Gross Incompedence!!!!!

[jsbgump]

My 99 pontiac sunfire even had this same problem

[phantom dually]

MY 05 does this now that you guys mention it. I hate it!!

[kna4977]

My 03 Avalanche has had the problem twice ~ every 1 and 1/2 years. The first time they replaced the intermediate steering shaft. The next thing they replaced were some bushings. I bought an extended warranty as I anticipate this to be an ongoing problem.

[84 400]

hnmm 2000 tahoe with 110k now and never had any such problem. nor heard of it from any of my freinds. maybe it has been doing it the whole time and never payed it much mind. GOOD luck with this problem and sorry to har so many have3 it

[72shadetree]

same thing on our 05 crewcab
friends 06 crew
friends 03
all they do is greese

[Huck]

Went and bought the re-grease kit today. Like $13.00----the instructions suck. Finally figured out just what and why so I removed the "intermediate shaft". This thing is the one that mounts to the steering column under the dash, and goes just beyond the firewall where it connects to the lower shaft. You need a 15mm combo wrench. The dealer parts guy cautioned me not to get to rough when removing or you can set off the air bag.
You unbolt the top and slide the universal off the upper shaft. Then you unbolt the lower section that connects to the lower colulmn shaft. Then you can push/guide the intermediate shaft out --via the under dash.
Next you get to remove a "U" shaped clip in the lower section, squert a hypo load of white lithium type grease, then stick this black plastic block with tightening bolt into the lower end. Next you get to push the intermediate shaft together till it bottoms out which forces the grease back into the inners of the shaft. Once done, you slowly open the shaft to make sure it shows grease on the upper part of the shaft----if good, your done. Reassemble, and all is well. Remains to be seen how long it will last but WOW does it make a difference in the steering feel. No more klunking.
By the way, some web sites say there is a new non-klunking design, some say they have used the new one, and most say it doesn't make much difference as the problem usually returns after 6 months to a year!

[phantom dually]

Mentioned this to the service writer at Gm dealership today. He said there is nothing that can be done but to grease it. Also said that he gets atleast 4 orders for this a week. He mentioned GM may do a recall on the KLUNK.

[kaycee]

You frickin gotta be kidding me,I will call my local dealer allso on this,I was wondering what the H was going on with the sterring wheel.I just got my 01 and noticed it but thought I could live with it allomost 500 miles on it and it driving me to clink I mean drink Thanks for the heads up

[Huck]

The process to re-grease is pretty easy but annoying to have to do given the design fault. If anyone needs some additional info as to how, shoot me a note and I will walk you through it. I wouldn't count on GM doing anything unless the fed's put pressure on them for safety.
Funny but my 2000 Tahoe never had the problem in 70K miles-. A permanently mounted grease fitting would fix the problem but you do use a totally different grease then normal suspension.

[Waylon]

My 2004 Z71 steering gets really stiff when sitting still, almost like the power steering goes out for a second, is this the same problem as the Klunk I hear about all the time?

[N2TRUX]

That sounds like your power steering giving problems. The "klunk" is just that. It's an annoying noise, but it doesn't change the feel of the steering.

[phantom dually]

The Klunk more less sounds like a loose plastic box rattling around under the dash when you hit the smallest of bumps.

[72shadetree]

Originally Posted by Waylon

My 2004 Z71 steering gets really stiff when sitting still, almost like the power steering goes out for a second, is this the same problem as the Klunk I hear about all the time?

our 05 crew done this they put a new power steering pump on it about 7000 miles ago and its going back in shop today for the same problem.

the klunk sounds like something rolling around under dash

[CAL 58 GMC]

I had the same problem with my 04. The klunk is coming from the intermediate steering shaft that is supposed to slide in and out as you turn and hit a bumps to keep from binding. When the seal fails on the shaft, the grease comes out, then shaft can't side anymore and the shaft starts binding. It was replaced at the GM dealership and I was told that GM had addressed the problem with a new design. It's been almost a year since the repair and no problems yet.