6.4
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $190
- Average Mileage:
- 39,050 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 59 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (20 reports)
- don't buy GM trucks until fixed, this has continued for years (10 reports)
- steering shaft lube kit (8 reports)
- replace steering shaft (6 reports)
- intermediate shaft replacement and lube kit (5 reports)
- repack the steering shaft with grease (5 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I starting feeling a rattling in the steering column when I turned and hit a bump. Gradually started to get worse. I took it into the shop today and they informed me that it wasn't covered by my extended warranty. What a load of crap. Look at how many complaints there are on this. A recall should have been issued. The dealer informed me that they are changing out the intermediate steering shaft with a new updated one without whatever makes it clank. Not very happy. My truck only has 20,000 miles.
- Jason S., Newalla, OK, US
after 33000 miles, i started hearing a clunking noise coming from the steering shaft during low speed maneuvers (mainly turning to the left). at 35000 miles i took it into the shop while the truck was still under warranty. the shop manager knew exactly what the problem was and that at the time there was no recall, but he expected one soon. i was told that the grease in the steering shaft would run out due to its proximity to the engine block and the heat coming from it. his fix was to inject grease back in via a syringe. solved the problem in about 45 minutes.
- James S., Westville, FL, US
this is the second time i have had this issue. it was fixed at 35000 miles, but now the problem has returned after 9000 miles. of course the truck is off warranty now and a recall has not been issued even after i was told by the shop manager that one was expected because of the widespread problem in these steering shafts. time to take it to the shop again. at $75 hr labor rate, no telling what this is going to cost to get fixed, even though Chevrolet knows this is a recurring problem.
- James S., Westville, FL, US
I have had the same problem as many others listed also I know of three other people that have the same problem and this should be recalled and fixed by GM.
- disapointed, Armuchee, GA, US
I am stationed in the USAF in Germany and have taken my truck to Jenal Chevrolet in Homburg, GE for warranty work. On 5/15/2006 at 16,580 miles Jenal replaced the intermediate steering shaft for a continuous, persistent "clunking/thumping" in the steering column whenever the vehicle hit a bump or was turning. At approximately 19,500 miles, the noise and feeling in the steering column persisted, yet Jenal is unwilling or unable to fix the vehicle. I have taken it back several times at great distance and expense. I am approaching my 36 months of ownership, but have no dealer available to perform the necessary warranty fix, since Jenal is unwilling! What recourse do I have?
- Richard D., Miesenbach, GE, Germany
GM intermediate steering shafts are junk. Mine has been replaced after having the infamous "clunk". It came back approx. 10,000 miles after the shaft was replaced. I have taken it in once since to have the shaft lubricated and have performed the lubrication of the shaft myself a second time.
- Justin H., Evansville, IN, US
I guess that I am not alone in having this problem. I have an appointment to get this problem looked at. I will bring in the list of complaints from this site I hope this is useful in getting the problem fixed. I guess next time I get a truck I might have to get a Toyota or a ford.
- Robert B., Rocky Hill, CT, US
I have already had this fixed once, and Chevy replaced the int. steering shaft. It is doing it again and my warranty is up. I can take my steering shaft (from under the hood) and move it up and down and side to side. It isn't suppost to do that. Chevy needs to find a good fix and for free.
- bneracing, North Las Vegas, NV, US
Sounds like I have the same problem as a lot of people. Steering is making a snap, crackle, and pop sound when you turn the wheel. Going in to the dealer for another issue (speedometer) and having this fixed at the same time. This is not the truck I was hoping for and will not hold a candle to the Chevy's I have had in the past. I guess they want us all to drive Toyota's at some point in the future. So much for the pride of being made in America.
- Scott W., Star, ID, US
I have brought the truck back at least four different times and the problem just keeps coming back. It real noticable on cool mornings leaving for work. Chevy said they didn't now how to fix it. I bought my truck from Samsone Chevrolet and I have to bring it back again cause the problem is back.
Is the lemon law covered for that?
- Mark N., Aberdeen Township, NJ, US
steering shaft needed to be repacked with grease
- greater, Midlothian, VA, US
Ok I had a 2004 Chevy Suburban with the same problem, clunking noise from the steering shaft. I had it repaired 12 times and they never fixed it. This started at about 10,000 miles. After many attempts to fix it and they didnt it went back to GM via Lemon Law. Now my son's 2004 Silverado has the same problem and is in the shop as I type this little note. Dont know what to say except if everyone with this problem goes lemon law then maybe GM will fix it.
- Joan W., Hemet, CA, US
This 2004 Silverado has not been the truck I expected it to be, and I guess my previous experience with Chevy products (S-10 Blazer) should have convinced me to buy MMMMMM "Toyota" but I am an American and darn proud of it! Anyway, lets see; there was the braking system at 18 k, then there was the shift clunk bulletin, and yes I had that as well, then the windshield wiper relay at around 25 k, now the intermediate steering shaft clunk at 48 k which sounds like a no solution. Annoying thorn in my flesh. I guess if it keeps up, down the road it will go, and GM/Chevrolet will get copies of all my repair troubles with a letter of complaint stating I will no longer purchase their products. To bad cause I really like the new body styles on the Silverado.
- David S., Bath, NY, US
Got the same clunking noise on my truck. Don't know if my aftermarket warranty covers it!
- Eduardo B., Seguin, TX, US
This steering shaft problem has existed for several years. A simple bearing should hold shaft in place and eliminate bumping - "shows I ain't an engineer" right? This thing started bumping about 3000 miles and gradually got worse - so bad it's plain embarrassing when other people are around. Then to top it all off, I was stopped by DOT last week. Registration in glove compartment. Glove compartment wouldn't open. Plastic handle won't open compartment. Will report on warranty service from Chevrolet next week.
- Howard H., Currie, NC, US
knocking in steering when turning wheel to the left in curves. Took truck in 01/09/2006. dealer replaced int. steering shaft. one year later problem is back. only 3000 miles left on factory warranty. Anybody tried sueing GM yet. taking it in to the shop again on thuresday. I WILL POST RESULTS!!!!!
- countrypower, Sadieville, KY, US
STEERING CLUNKING NOISE ON WASHBOARD ROADS AT ANY SPEED. FELT IN STEERING WHEEL. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. PURCHASED USED 3 WEEKS AGO W/ 38500 MILES.
- Patrick H., Youngsville, LA, US
repeated intermediate steering shaft problems. pain in the ass, clunking steering shaft, P.O.S
- pavermanter, Auburn, PA, US
Rattle or clunking from steering while taking a clover leaf freeway ramp or while on a bumpy road.
Dealer installed new intermediate shaft and a lube kit.
- David V., Richfield, MN, US