2002 Suburban steering problem

[sleber]

When turning, especially on somewhat rough surface, you can feel a slight thumping in the steering wheel. It almost feels like there is slack in the steering, but it only happens when you are turning on "bumpy" surface. You can also hear the thumping noise but it is not very loud. Any ideas?

Thanks

[FXman]

Well somone must have been steering in while it`s not moving, or you have you`r four wheel drive on or your power steering is going, those are well one of those is probably it

[99ssconv]

you need to lube the intermediate steering shaft with a gm lube kit, kit costs around $22 and takes 1/2 hr to repair. go to local gm dealer and ask for intermediate shaft lube kit, the kit has instructions in it.

[sleber]

Originally Posted by 99ssconv

you need to lube the intermediate steering shaft with a gm lube kit, kit costs around $22 and takes 1/2 hr to repair. go to local gm dealer and ask for intermediate shaft lube kit, the kit has instructions in it.

Thanks for the info, but how often should this need to be done? It only has 11,000 miles and I think he dealership did that lube at around 6,000 miles. I rarely drive the vehicle, it is my wife's, but they did do something that seemed to solve the problem for a while.

thanks again

[99ssconv]

If this is the same noise and the repair was done correctly then it should last well over 25k miles, I have done hundreds and don't see them come back for the same noise. Look at your receipt and see what they did, maybe they did something else.

[99ssconv]

Clunking Noise Under Hood and can be felt in the Steering Wheel (Lubricate Intermediate Steering Shaft Assembly)
2002-2004 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT

2003-2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV

1999-2004 Chevrolet Silverado

2000-2004 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe

2002-2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

1999-2004 GMC Sierra

2000-2004 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL

2003-2004 HUMMER H2

With Recirculating Ball-Type Steering

This bulletin is being revised to add additional procedures and time for vehicles equipped with adjustable foot pedals and to add additional models and years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-02-35-003B (Section 02 -- Steering).

Condition
Some customers may comment on a clunk-type noise coming from under the hood that also can be felt in the steering wheel. These conditions may be more noticeable when turning at low speeds on rough road surfaces.

Correction

Important
DO NOT REPLACE THE FOLLOWING INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT P/Ns:

26085548
26049343
26083324
26088325
15772436
26078079

Remove the intermediate shaft from the vehicle and lubricate the intermediate shaft with a Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098419. Follow the service procedure below.

Set the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
Set the steering wheel in the LOCK position.
Install the J 42640 in the steering column lower access hole.
For vehicles equipped with adjustable foot pedals, do the following steps.
Reposition the carpet away from the accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor.
Remove the two nuts retaining the accelerator pedal to the bulkhead.
Reposition the accelerator pedal out of the way so that the intermediate shaft can be removed.




From inside the vehicle, remove the upper bolt from the upper intermediate steering shaft (1) to the steering column connection.



From under the hood, remove the lower bolt that connects the upper intermediate shaft to the steering gear coupling shaft.
Remove the upper intermediate steering shaft assembly.
From inside the vehicle, slide the shaft down and off the steering column shaft.
From under the hood, slide the shaft towards the dash in order to disengage the shaft from the steering gear coupling shaft.
From inside the vehicle, slide the upper intermediate shaft through the dash boot seal and remove the shaft from the vehicle.




Remove the spacer clip from the end of the intermediate shaft with a pair of needle nose pliers.
Fully extend the shaft by pulling the two shafts apart.



Apply the syringe of grease supplied in the Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098419, into the open end of the shaft. Direct the syringe tip as deep as possible into the shaft and dispense the full content of the syringe.



Insert the plug supplied in the Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Lubrication Kit into the open end of the shaft and finger tighten the wing nut.



Place the plugged end of the shaft on a hard surface and apply pressure to collapse the shaft and dissipate the grease through the shaft.
Remove the plug from the shaft and fully extend the shaft.



Inspect the shaft for a minimum of 13 mm (1/2 in) of grease on the shaft splines.
Repeat steps 11-14 if less than 13 mm (1/2 in) of grease is on shaft splines.
Clean the excess grease off of the shaft splines and around the shaft opening.



Carefully spread apart the spacer clip with a pair of pliers.



Reinstall the spacer clip into the open end of the shaft.



Align the spacer clip with the stakes in the shaft.
Reinstall the upper intermediate steering shaft through the dash boot seal and slide the lower end into the steering gear coupling shaft.
Raise the upper end of the intermediate steering shaft and install into the steering column shaft.
Install the upper bolt and nut. Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 47 N·m(35 lb ft).

Install the lower bolt and nut. Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 50 N·m(37 lb ft).

For vehicles equipped with adjustable foot pedals, do the following steps.
Reposition the accelerator pedals into position on the bulkhead.
Install the two retaining nuts. Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

Reposition the carpet back into place.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
Qty

26098419
Lubrication Kit, Steering Column Intermediate Shaft
1


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

[sleber]

Thanks for your help. The invoice reflects them doing the proper procedure and reflects the proper part number, but I was wrong about when it was done it was done about 2,000 miles ago on 8/27/03. Obviously they did not do it correctly, my wife is taking it in tomorrow hopefully they will do it correctly this time.

Thanks again for your help.

[Captain Ron]

Been there. The warranty service quiets the problem for about 10K miles. After warranty expires you are now stuck with the defective engineering issue and can spend up to $650 having it replaced, because once out of warranty the tell you it needs to be replaced, not greased!

[tlmasi]

I have 30,000 miles total, and less than 5,000 miles on a grease kit installed by the dealer while it was still under warranty. The clunking has returned. It's only when I'm turning at a slow speed. Sounds like a poor design by Cheverolet. My old 3/4 ton truck had grease zerks in the steering.

[briand069]

I have a 2003 Suburban and had the grease kit done twice while under warranty. Just this past year, maybe 5 months ago I went back to the dealer with this TSB in hand which states there is a revised part and they replaced it under warranty even though the 36/36 was out. No more grease kit.

TECHNICAL

Bulletin No.: 00-02-35-003N

Date: March 26 2008

Subject:
Clunking Noise Under Hood and Can Be Felt in Steering Wheel and/or Steering Column (Replace Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft [I-Shaft] Assembly)

Models:
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade Models
1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado Models (Classic)
2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe Models
2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
1999-2007 GMC Sierra Models (Classic)
2000-2006 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL Models
2003-2006 HUMMER H2

Attention: This Service Bulletin DOES NOT include Mid-Size Utilities such as Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer Models, GMC Envoy Models or Oldsmobile Bravada. Refer to Service Bulletin 02-02-35-006A or newer for Mid-Size Utilities.

Supercede:

This bulletin is being revised to add diagnostic information (refer to Diagnostic Tips) to check the lower steering column bearing as a potential source of the noise. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-02-35-003M (Section 02-Steering).

Condition

Some customers may comment on a clunk-type noise coming from under the hood that also can be felt in the steering wheel. These conditions may be more noticeable when turning at low speeds on rough road surfaces.

Diagnostic Tips

Use the information below to help diagnose the source of the noise.

^ The lower steering column bearing may create the same noise as the intermediate shaft. Before replacing the I-shaft, verify the noise isn't being caused by movement from the lower steering column bearing. Check the bearing for movement by pushing up and down on the I-shaft where it attaches to the steering column.

^ Frame Snap and/or Popping Type Noise - A frame snap or popping type noise can be duplicated on rough or smooth road surfaces with steering wheel input to the left or the right. This type of noise can be HEARD and is typically louder with the windows rolled down. For additional information refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 03-08-61-002F or newer - Snap/Popping Type Noise Coming from Front of Vehicle (Remove Front Crossmember Change Fastener Orientation).

^ Intermediate Shaft Clunk - Intermediate shaft clunk is heard and FELT in the steering wheel and/or steering column area typically while driving on rough road surfaces with steering wheel input.


Correction





Important: ^ I-shaft P/N 19153614 has been designed to replace previous designed dampened and non-dampened I-shafts. The physical difference in the yoke size will accommodate all vehicles listed in this bulletin.

^ Due to the design of the new I-shaft, it is not possible to lubricate/grease the I-shaft.


Replace the steering column upper intermediate shaft with an improved design shaft that will eliminate the clunk noise using the procedure listed below.

1. Set the front wheels in the straight ahead position.

Notice: On the 2002 and later model year vehicles the steering column LOCK was removed from the steering column. It is critical that the J 42640 - Steering column Anti-Rotation Pin is used when servicing steering columns on 2002 and later model year vehicles. Failure to use the J 42640 may result in damage to the SIR coil.

[ukrkoz]

just replace ISS with one from NAPA. it's a much better design and 10 min job. costs like 70 bucks.

[raingram]

I've got a 2000 Suburban with the same frame snap and steering wheel thump. It's got 135000 miles on it, and I'll bet it's been there for some time. I bought it a week ago and didn't notice it on the test drive, since the seller wouldn't shut up. Anyway, is this problem just annoying or is it a reason to park the truck? I have another vehicle, but frankly it gets crappier mileage (I know, how is that possible) and isn't as comfortable, plus funds are low. If a dealer would be willing to pop for the repair, that would be great. Has anyone with this problem but many more miles gotten it done for free? Thanks!

[mishalah]

Originally Posted by ukrkoz

just replace ISS with one from NAPA. it's a much better design and 10 min job. costs like 70 bucks.

I'm going to have to do this asap. Anyone have any info on the procedure?

[ukrkoz]

just to set my ducks in a row:

lower shaft is one under the hood
upper shaft is one in the cabin, directly connected to the steering wheel output shaft. that is the one you replace. alias, intermediate steering shaft.

1. remove plastic panel to access steering shaft
2. possibly, remove 2 bolts holding gas pedal in place. i've seen a post stating that that was not necessary
3. remove in dash intermediate shaft to steering shaft pinch bolt
4. remove, under the hood, upper intermediate shaft (ISS) to lower intermediate shaft bolt (mine has 2 shafts, one coming out of firewall and one attached to steering gear; that one looks like it has 2 "harmonicas" on either end, probably designed to collapse during head on collision; solid metal); they are connected together and there's a bolt securing connection, about midway from firewall to steering gear.
5. from under the dashboard, press intermediate shaft down on steering shaft, to slide it off it; i am assuming that there's some sort of compressing structure in it that permits so.
6. slide intermediate shaft off the lower intermediate shaft and remove it into the cabin.
7. re-assembly is simply reverse to dis-assembly.


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