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Intermediate Steering Shaft Removal/Lube Kit Installation

Thanks again to all members who made this thread possible. Wandering steering is no fun and this should do the trick. Just replaced my 110K mi shaft with a fresh one from gmpartsdirect.com. 20-30 mins, a little GM spray lube, and its all done. I have some extra play in my idler and/or pitman arms too, so they may be next.

(y)
 
My steering wheel has play in it (side to side) - a little scary. It vibrates / chatters when i hit bumps or railway tracks. Took it in to the GM dealer and they said the steering box is good and front end is solid, so they will replace the entire steering column assembly as it is under warranty....a couple grand. They said they wouldn't muck with my bushings etc in the column, so I'm happy. Let's see what happens . I like that they are not messing around and will solve my issues with OEM replacement parts. Their changing the back window under warranty too as the frame has cracked.
My dealer are good guys.... nice change.
 
Bassman Z71 said:
My steering wheel has play in it (side to side) - a little scary. It vibrates / chatters when i hit bumps or railway tracks. Took it in to the GM dealer and they said the steering box is good and front end is solid, so they will replace the entire steering column assembly as it is under warranty....a couple grand. They said they wouldn't muck with my bushings etc in the column, so I'm happy. Let's see what happens . I like that they are not messing around and will solve my issues with OEM replacement parts. Their changing the back window under warranty too as the frame has cracked.
My dealer are good guys.... nice change.
Click to expand...
Sounds good. Post up the name of your dealer as there are too many out there that only get bad press.
 
The Dealer changed my steering column under warranty as promised. Took 4 weeks to get the parts, but they held true to their word. I got my smooth ride back and actually forgot how nice of ride this vehicle has. Happy days. Good on the GM dealer.
 
Any long term feedback from the guys that used silicone? The concept kinda makes sense to me. Too much slop, remove slop.
 
I can't remember which forum section I posted it in, without looking but, I had popping noise in my left turns when it was cold out or over decent size speed bumps. I also had quite a bit of play in my steering. Like I could move the steering wheel left and right by about almost an inch and a half both ways without the wheels hardly movin. I decided to tighten up the steering box. No more than a total of 1/2 turn, as recommended by the youtube vid and in forums related to steering adjustment. For almost a month my popping noise went away but now it is back every once in a while like it was when the noise first started happening. I started happening ever time I turned the steering wheel to the left only before I tightened the steering box. When I went to tighten the box I did notice the box was leaking out of the bottom spline and on the top somewhere. So I plan on changing that out this spring/summer when I do my other things I wanna do to Avy.
 
I talked to my mechanic about tightening the steering box and he said it could cause excess wear on the parts that could cause leaks. So I opted not to tighten the box. My steering is a little light for such a heavy truck, I have replaced my entire steering rack and a-arms. My steering is still the same. But since I have driven it for 227000 miles I am very use to it. The wife does not like it, but she drives a 93 Honda Civic.
I am still debating about tightening the power steering maybe a 1/4 turn and see where that takes it.
 
Replace the steering box because there's a needle bearing on the pitman shaft that wear out, tightening the screw will only make it worst.
 
I didn't tighten it all that much. Just a 1/2 a turn total until the movements of the steering wheel and the tires moved in sync. I do plan on replacing mine. This will get me though the winter to where I can have decent weather to do it. I just think it is kind of weird that after tightening the box just a tad, that my popping went away. After I tightened the box, the first couple of days I did all sorts of hard turns and bumps even bumps while turning and there was no popping.
 
Time will tell, I don't think turning it a bit like you did will hurt. But the fix is to replace it, they were never meant to be adjusted.

PS watch for leaks.
 
Yeah, before I adjusted it, it had a slight leak. At that moment, I knew I wanted to replace it but not until it gets warmer out. I'll be keeping an eye on it.
 
(y)

You can rebuild it yourself, the price of the rebuilt one at rock auto makes it at after thought cheap.
 
Lookin at Rock and see the ACDelco one for $149.79  core$100.00  $249.79 total or looking at the Detroit one on amazon for $224. Just leery of manufactured stuff like this. At least the Detroit one has a lifetime warranty.


Rock Delco  https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4984635&cc=1430977&jnid=570&jpid=4

Amazon Detroit  https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4984635&cc=1430977&jnid=570&jpid=4
 
Anyway, either one I go with, I will more than likely replace the whole steering shaft as well with a beefier one while the box is out of the way. As well as the arms.
 
Now do you see what tightening the nut does, it pulls the shaft up and cause more problems.

I think you are good to go till the weather gets better.



 
Indeed I do. Like i stated though, it was already slightly leaking before I tightened the box up. Looked like it had been leaking for a few months before I even though about tightening the box. Steering is firm again like it was new. Just a temp fix. I'll be doing quite a few things this spring summer so just another to add to the list. Now if I can just find nerf bar extender brackets I'll be happy. Gettin tired of only being able to get my toes on the darn nerf bars while steppin in to Avy. May have to take them off and take the brackets in to a machine shop and have new ones made that are a little longer. Every winter I slip off the darn things at least twice because of how close they are to the body.
 
Avalanche0579 said:
Lookin at Rock and see the ACDelco one for $149.79   core$100.00  $249.79 total or looking at the Detroit one on amazon for $224. Just leery of manufactured stuff like this. At least the Detroit one has a lifetime warranty.


Rock Delco  https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4984635&cc=1430977&jnid=570&jpid=4

Amazon Detroit   https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=4984635&cc=1430977&jnid=570&jpid=4
Click to expand...

I just bought the Detroit one from Amazon for $174, should be here Friday.  I am heading out snowmobiling this weekend so I won't get it in until next weekend.
 
2013 Avalanche, LT, Z-71, 45K miles. 

I have a slight clunk that is felt in the steering wheel when first starting the vehicle and making a turn, and intermittently when driving.  Thoughts on this being the ISS? 

For clarity/emphasis:  happens almost every time when turning wheel after being parked.  Only happens occasionally when driving, but does occur.  Clunk is felt in the steering wheel (versus pedal, seat vibration, etc.), and feel like a millimeter of play that gets absorbed/stopped when turning.  Bumpy road does not cause it to present.  An update:  if I pull or push with force up, down, left or right, on the wheel, even when vehicle is stopped. I can recreate the click/clunk. Feels like it is right behind the steering wheel.

On my 2003, Avalanche, I had replaced the ISS, but that was a more consistent clunk, and was felt on bumpy roads.

TIA
 
Had same issue on my 2013 Z-71. Dealer did work on steering column. Not ISS. Was an expensive repair, and issue is coming back. Apparently common.

I did have problems with my ISS on my 2003 (I replaced twice). My 2013 is a different issue
 
Don't waste the $ replacing the ISS. Mark a spot on the shaft just below the boot then take the shaft out. Extend it all the way then drill and tap and screw in a grease fitting. Then just grease it when you do the rest.
 
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