Steering shaft?

[smallville]

I have a 2000 Suburban with 73000 mi. It almost feels like the steering shaft is loose. I can feel a slight clunk. The clunk is not coming from the wheels, but feels like it's in the shaft. Anyone have ideas on this problem?

[gregory914]

I bought my 97 burb new and it has done the same thing from about 14K miles on. The dealer could not find anything and thought I was too critical by reminding me "it's a truck not a sports car". What I did find was that the shaft itself is loose where it goes in to the steering box. You can move it about a quarter of an inch up and down or side to side. The dealer told me this was normal too!

I now have 119K miles on it and the whole suspension is still tight, and I've only had to replace the idler arm every 35K miles. But I still have the play and clunck in the steering. I might try replacing the steering box and/or shaft, but I think that might be big bucks$. After a recent inspection, the looseness is coming from either inside the box or where the shaft connects to it.

Any ideas? Can the box be adjusted or is there a mounting flange or something that can be replaced?

THANKS!

[hinsonre]

This may help!
http://www.thedieselplace.com/forum/...read.php?t=261

[trappie]

might be Intermediate Steering Shaft Assembly. Mine has been repaired/replaced twice (2002 burb). From what I hear it is a pretty easy job to do yourself.

[utahawk]

YES!!! It's a problem with the intermediate steering shaft. GM has been eating these by the tons over the last several years. The know there is a problem and they admit it. There have been several technical service bulletins (TSB's) issued regarding this. There is a kit available to fix the problem or they may replace the entire assembly. Take it to the dealer and tell him you know damn well there was a big problem with this and TSB's have been issued and you expect them to fix it for FREE! Armed with that sort of info should get you fixed up...it worked for me.