2004 Suburban steering wheel rattle

[camhar1]

I have a 2004 sub and when I go over a bump it feels like the steering wheel rattles.You can feel it thru the wheel. I've been in the engine compartment and played with the u joint. The shaft moves a bit.Is this normal? What could be wrong? Thanks for any insight.

[2000CAYukon]

Do a search on "Intermediate steering shaft". I used the lube kit from the dealer (paid $15) and have not had an issue since. Other's have had the shaft replaced.

//2000CAYukon

[camhar1]

Thanks for the info.Big help. I will do the job this weekend.

[03CavyMan]

Yep, probably the intermediate steering shaft. We have a lot of problems with them in a lot of our vehicles! Before doing the lube kit, just try excersising the shaft. GM had us doing this for a while until they came out with an updated steering shaft for them. The most important thing before doing this job is to secure the steering wheel by putting the seatbelt through it and buckling it so the steering wheel doesn't spin and break the SIR coil in the steering wheel! Then take the 15mm bolt out of the steering shaft under the hood, wiggle it out of the lower shaft, then push it up as far as you can towards the firewall until it stops. Do this about 20 times, bolt it back up and it should be fine. By doing this it directs the grease inside the shaft up to the splines where it's needed. If it doesn't fix it then put the lube kit in.