01 Denali slight knock in drivers side when I turn

[Tapout417]

My 01 Denali is making a slight knock when I turn right or left, and I can feel it just a bit in the steering. Anyone have this problem or know what the issue could be? To my knowledge nothing has even been replaced. It has 134,000 miles

[gmtech1]

Does it happen every 180deg of rotation ot the steering wheel? If so, its steering shaft noise.

[Tapout417]

No, it does it at the slightest turn of the wheel. And it's not constant, more when I just start driving the vehicle

[gmtech1]

Still may be steering shaft noise, very common on these. You can try disconnecting the upper shaft from the lower shaft, this is done under the hood, you'll see the upper shaft coming through the firewall. There is one bolt that connects the upper and lower shaft. Remove the bolt and slide the upper shaft out of the lower shaft, be carefull thst the steering wheel does not turn after disconnection. Then push the upper shaft (slide it) inward toward the steering column. Do this in and out several times, it will redistribute the grease inside the shaft. Then reconnect the shaft and see if the noise is still there.

Another possibility is a body mount poping. Noises are very hard to diagnose online.

[Tapout417]

ok after reading your post i drove it some more to see if i could better identify where the noise is coming from. i think you might be right about the steering shaft. Im going to try what you said but how can i make sure the wheel does not turn. any additional info would be greatly appreciated

[gmtech1]

Either just be very careful of it, or jam something between the seat and the steering wheel. If it spins, you will damage the clockspring for the air bag.

[Tapout417]

ok, maybe ill wait untill i can find someone to sit in it and hold the wheel