Intermediate Steering Shaft Lube Procedure

[dwill3015]

Intermediate Steering Shaft Lube Procedure


cures knocking felt through steering wheel

reference GM bulletin #00-02-30-003C

Tools Needed:
needle nose pliers
15 mm wrench

GM kit #26098419
You can find it here www.gmprtsclub.com
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS1.jpg

Step 1: Start with the front wheels straight ahead and the column locked, if equipped. Remove nut with 15 mm wrench at steering shaft under dash.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS2.jpg

Step 2: Disconnect shaft by pushing towards firewall.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS3.jpg

Step 3: Remove bolt on steering shaft under the hood.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS4.jpg

To be continued...

[dwill3015]

Step 4: Disconnect shaft and push towards firewall.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS5.jpg

Step 5: Pull shaft out from inside cab.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS6.jpg

Note: The procedure to lube the shaft is described, in detail, in the instructions that come with the kit.
Step 6: Remove the spacer with needle nose pliers.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS7.jpg

Step 7: Squirt all the grease from the kit into the end of the shaft, try not to get any on the sides at the top or it will be hard to keep the stopper from slipping out under pressure.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS8.jpg

Step 8: After installing the stopper into the end of the shaft, place the u-joint at 90 deg. and press against a hard surface.

[dwill3015]

Step 9: Pull the shaft out to full travel and make sure there is at least 1/2" of grease protruding.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS9.jpg

Step 10: Spread the spacer out a little with snapring pliers or by carefully pulling your needle nose pliers.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS10.jpg

Step 11: Tap the spacer into the end of the shaft untill it is 1/4" from the end.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS11.jpg

Step 12: Reinstall the shaft by pushing it back through the hole from the cab. Tighten the upper nut to 35 lb ft and the lower bolt to 37 lb ft.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/dwill3015/ISS12.jpg

[mehoff400]

good write up.... was this a dealer part or an aftermarket one? and how much was it?

[dwill3015]

Not my work. I have seen this on other sites so i wanted to post it here to be helpful. Mine has been replaced once under warranty but for those that have no choice but to do it themselves, here is how.

[bb55hrt]

Not my work. I have seen this on other sites so i wanted to post it here to be helpful. Mine has been replaced once under warranty but for those that have no choice but to do it themselves, here is how.
Thanks for the post. I have to do this on my truck. Know I know what to do:great:

[Rex]

Thanks for that!

[JMoney02]

Excellent Darcy, just was reading about replacement parts. haven't purchased it yet but will try this first. Even though I do not have the clunck yet, I also read some were that this was available, Thanks for bring this back up again....


Jeff

[Dan]

if you are out of warrenty it will cost about 250.00 to replace the shaft my servesing dealer told me that the grease repair is a temp fix and will have to be redone within a year..that is why he is only doing replacements unless the person insists on the grease repair out of warrenty as well as under warrenty

Dan

[2008blackWT]

if anyone wants i can get this part for probably around 100 dollars. I have a buddy that works at hummer they have had the same problem and had a replacement to fix the problem. He got me mine Ii would be willing to part with it. I am selling my tahoe and it doesnt make the noise anymore. I will send a pic of the part i have to whoever wants it just so you know you are getting the right one. there are two differant ones.

[kinglt1]

Here it is for cheap!

www.gmpartsclub.com (http://www.gmpartsclub.com) and search for 19153614.

[cutlass350]

I know very little about steering and suspension. I would really like to learn as much as I can about the intermediate steering shaft, and then replace it on my own. I do have a couple of questions;

Will the noise get worse? I feel like it's become a slight bit louder, but I think that's just my imagination. I think I just pay more attention to it now that I know it's there.

Am I in any danger if I put this off a month or so? I work from home and occasionally need to make some short trips. I'd like to get this done right, but I do have to do a bit of driving before I can dive into it.

Thanks guys!
Brady

[silveradotrailblazer]

Did this procedure on my Silverado and it did not last long. Ended up installing Borgenson shaft assembly. I hope i dont seem ungreatful for your info, and it may help others. It may be because my truck is lifted that it did not last. Thanks.

[bd1326]

Replaced my entire upper intermediate shaft today, clunking is gone. At first I thought it was front shocks, wasn't the problem but they were bad anyway. Then I thought it was a ball joint since the sound was more prominent on the drivers side, didn't work either. Took the truck in for service and had them check front end, they said it was the upper shaft. Found new shaft realy cheap, Dorman part number 425176 on www.rockauto.com (http://www.rockauto.com/) Think i paid ten dollars shipping. This was the cheapest I found anywhere after looking to probably four months.

[PorscheDoc]

Good information!

[thejms]

Replaced my entire upper intermediate shaft today, clunking is gone. At first I thought it was front shocks, wasn't the problem but they were bad anyway. Then I thought it was a ball joint since the sound was more prominent on the drivers side, didn't work either. Took the truck in for service and had them check front end, they said it was the upper shaft. Found new shaft realy cheap, Dorman part number 425176 on www.rockauto.com (http://www.rockauto.com/) Think i paid ten dollars shipping. This was the cheapest I found anywhere after looking to probably four months.

Nice find. Mine is clunking, time to lube or replace.

[bd1326]

Nice find. Mine is clunking, time to lube or replace.
i don't know how much the lube kit costs, but the lube is only a temporary fix, might be worth your while just to replace the shaft.

[MBurke]

Hello, Mine has been " Clunking " for a while so I got a new one from the dealer. I was able to change it out in about a hour. Pretty simple really....no more Clunk here. :great:

[skinner]

I have been doing some research on the shaft in question and i have a solution that will stop the noise almost instantly. It will require a minor modification under the hood, but fairly easy to do.
I hope to do mine tomorrow nite and i will post pics and basic instructions then.


2004 chevy Silverado Z71 Ext cab 4x4

[skinner]

I have been doing some research on the shaft in question and i have a solution that will stop the noise almost instantly. It will require a minor modification under the hood, but fairly easy to do.
I hope to do mine tomorrow nite and i will post pics and basic instructions then.


2004 chevy Silverado Z71 Ext cab 4x4

This fix i have come up with works to stop the noise from the slip-yoke on the Chevy/ Gmc trucks that everyone is upset about. Ihave 90,000 on mine and it worked instantly.
The only issue i can see is if the splines are worn badly, it may not cure it or may have to be maintained more frequently.

First, open the hood and turn the steering so the connecting bolt (about 12 inches from the firewall) is positioned with the head pionted up.
You will need a hammer, centerpunch, 1/8" & 7/32" drillbits, drill, a 1/4x20 thread tap and handle, a grease fitting with 1/4" thread and a grease gun.
I used a multipurpose chassis grease with 40% Molybendum content.

First centerpunch then drill a 1/8" pilot (http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?p=132315#) hole at the top of the flat above the bolt head , then open the hole with the 7/32" drill bit as shown.

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2707&stc=1&d=1241961535

Next using the 1/4" tap, cut a thread in the hole(as shown below) but only cut about half way up the tapered tip of the tap so when incerting the nipple it will be very tight. It is ok if u cut a full thread, the nipple may not tighten as securely.


http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2709&stc=1&d=1241964714

Next incert and tighten the grease nipple in the hole, Be careful not to over tighten.
It should look like below.

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2710&stc=1&d=1241972898

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2711&stc=1&d=1241972898

Last step, pump atleast 30- 40 shots of grease into the fitting, then drive it 50 miles or so and pay attention to weather the noise comes back. If so pump another 30 shots of grease into the column.
This should eliminate the noise and give the steering a bit smoother feel.
You may add a few shots of grease to the column when and if the noise returns , to maintain lubrication in the spline.
Notes: It will take about 100 shots of grease or 3/4 of a tube and the grease will start coming out of the bottom of the column at the steering box end. I may sujest to disconnect the column at the location shown in the pictures and plug the upper portion below the grease nipple, then pump in the grease. It will require less grease and will put a bit of grease pressure in the tube which will prolong the time between maintenancing the spline but is not nessesary. I packed a rag in the bottom of the column when the grease started to come out and put pressure on the rag with a small prybar to create some pressure but it was not nessesary to complete the modification.

UPDATE: JUST AT THE TIME I WAS FINISHED THIS MOD, ONE OF THE GUYS I WORK WITH TOLD ME THAT HE DID THIS MOD TO HIS 03 gmc TRUCK 5 MONTHS EARLIER. HE WENT FOR ONE RIDE, REGREASED AND HAS NOT HAD TO TOUCH IT SINCE. HAS OVER 6000 MILES SINCE THEN AND IT IS STILL QUIET.

Try it at own risk, if u are not confident that you can complete this task, get a shop to do it for you.
Post your results and updates for all to see, good or bad.
Thanks and good luck, hope this works for you as well.
skinner (Deryk)

[bd1326]

I have been doing some research on the shaft in question and i have a solution that will stop the noise almost instantly. It will require a minor modification under the hood, but fairly easy to do.
I hope to do mine tomorrow nite and i will post pics and basic instructions then.


2004 chevy Silverado Z71 Ext cab 4x4


good idea, great ingenuity

[Blakjax98]

so how long do you guys expect the shaft to last after replacing it??

[4shongo]

Good info. Had mine replaced on my 01 Sierra under warranty. Hope my 06 doesn't give me any issues.

[Blakjax98]

Do you have to use the grease that GM provides or will a bearing grease work???

[bob13]

AS good a write up as I've seen anywhere!

[skinner]

Do you have to use the grease that GM provides or will a bearing grease work???
no, read the instructions

[skinner]

Good info. Had mine replaced on my 01 Sierra under warranty. Hope my 06 doesn't give me any issues.
It will, bet you 1000 dollars lol

[skinner]

so how long do you guys expect the shaft to last after replacing it??
About 5 to 6 miles lol

[2ToNe04]

best and nice write up ive seen will

i wish i would have seen this before. :( i had to pay 700 to replace it.

[ejj]

Just removed the stock unit and replaced with the "new and improved" version. Very easy. I would HIGHLY recommend using a 15mm ratcheting wrench. About 15 of the 20 minutes I spent on this was loosening/tightening the bolts. A ratcheting wrench would make it a lot quicker.

[jerseymike68]

Thank You!

[kinglt1]

I replaced my steering shaft today. Ordered the part fom gm part irect, it was realatively an easy fix. It requires removing (1)11mm lower shaft bolt, (1)15mm middle shaft bolt, (1) 15mm top shaft bolt, (2)8mm gas pedal bracket nuts. The pedal has to be out of the way to get the shaft out. I used a piece of duck tape around the wheel to the dash, so it did not spin while being disconnected. Good ol duck tape lol! Install the new shaft, follow thie pics from the first post, takes about an hour at most.