knocking in steering wheel

[muzzle]

I have a 2004 impala ls with 100000 miles on it and there is a knocking feeling in the steering wheel. it only does it when i turn the wheel and press the gas at the sametime. sometimes it does it when im at a complete stop and hit the gas hard. i dunno know what it is. any suggestions?

[2005chevimpala]

Originally Posted by muzzle

I have a 2004 impala ls with 100000 miles on it and there is a knocking feeling in the steering wheel. it only does it when i turn the wheel and press the gas at the sametime. sometimes it does it when im at a complete stop and hit the gas hard. i dunno know what it is. any suggestions?

Of the 7 Impalas I have had in past 3 years, the 03 had a knock and what it was ,the welds in the front of the aluminum chassis had broken so G.M fixed them under a recall warranty that is still in effect today, on one of my 05's the same type of knock this time was the steering shaft in which they are all famious for ,the intermediate shaft it is called, that is also recalled under warranty today, they will either replace or put a grease kit on it,Mike

[josephk300]

The following procedure is from an unknown source that posted it with pix on the internet, but I don't have the website. I saved the procedure and pix. The procedure is repeated (with some of my edits) below. I followed it - worked like a charm. If you don't mind giving out an email address, I can send the procedure with the pix.

Parts Needed

Steering Column Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098237. You need this for the cork but after the first time you simply need 25 cents worth of lube.

Instead, you can improvise for the kit. Take a cork and whittle it to size. Any good heavy duty bearing lube will work. A moly based grease would be ideal. I used boat trailer axle bearing grease.

Jack and one jack stand
11 mm socket
socket wrench and long extension
torque wrench
1.5 hours
Vinyl tape (electricians tape)

Procedure

Remove the cover underneath the steering wheel.

Peel back the intermediate steering shaft seal which looks cone shaped and is pleated like an accordian. If you peel it back you will see an 11 mm bolt. Before you unbolt this, make sure your wheel is straight. Once you remove the shaft, your wheel will be free to turn. If you turn it too much you can snap the air bag wire.

Jack up the driver's side of the car, secure it with a jack stand, and remove the tire. Find the steering rack, trace out where the steering shaft is, and then locate a rubber boot that needs to be pulled back. You'll need a long extension to get to the lower bolt. Remove the bolt and the shaft should fall off without much effort.

Go back inside the car and pull the shaft out. You might need a screwdriver to spread the pinch bolt clamp out a little.

With the shaft out, notice how one end can be expanded and collapsed - thats the side the grease goes in (the one that is inside the vehicle) . The grease is going to get packed into the hole below the U joint. Shape the cork to fit snug into the hole below the U joint. The cork will need to be thin so that when the yolk is turned, it can ride on the cork holding it in.

Now you need to collapse/expand the shaft 10-15 times. Pull the cork, pack in the grease again, and repeat.

Reassemble in reverse order of diassembly. Attach the lower bolt (underneath the car) first and then attach it at the wheel. One trick to use is when you are attaching to the wheel, turn the wheel slightly to line it up. Torque bolts to 35 lb ft.

[Impala04]

i picked up an 04 impala last month and have this problem. i picked up the kit and probably will try to fix it tomorrow night.

-R

[SpinnerCee]

I think they all do it (just a bad design) -- unless the fix is free -- I'd learn to live wit it.

[spooney25]

I have a 2004 SS and have had the same knocking problem "Fixed" 3 times. This last time I took it to my independent mechanic and he ordered a new intermediate shaft with nylon splines instead of metal to metal splines. It is available through GM and is a true repair. It has worked well for me. Thanks.