Steering Rattle Only Partially Fixed

Chris Fryman · June 27, 2020

All,

I have a 2004 VIN 2 Sierra 2500HD Duramax. It was left to my by my grandfather several years ago. One of the last things he and I talked about was actually the front end on this truck. After his passing my family spent several thousand at the stealership "fixing" the infamous steering clunk. They did not replace the upper intermediate shaft, instead they replaced the TSB steering bearing and the collar where the upper intermediate shaft connects to the wheel. It very temporarily fixed the symptoms but did not fix the problem.

As this is my 4th vehicle it is relegated to trips to the home improvement store and the occasional heavy haul (e.g. back fill gravel for the retaining wall I built in my yard). Recently I ended up having to take the truck on several long drives and the clunking and vague steering finally got to me. I replaced the upper intermediate shaft with the Doorman improved design. Upon removal of the old one I could definitely tell it was bad, it did not telescope at all, it was corroded into a fixed position. I actually ended up cutting it out with a saw zaw (highly recommended removal method if you're struggling at all). Upon giving it a test drive the symptoms are much improved but still present. The steering is definitely less vague but not perfect (though, the truck is probably due for an alignment) and the rattles happen less often and at a much lower volume...however they are still present. It also still occasionally wines a bit at low speed turns.

What's the next step in this? Perhaps the TSB bearing that was replaced was ruined by the bad intermediate shaft? All the internet searching in the world consistently points to the intermediate shaft.

Edited June 27, 2020 by Chris Fryman

jake111 · June 29, 2020

For many years people thought the problem was the intermediate shaft. It seemed partly to blame for the clunk. The current consensus is that it's the plastic bearing on the steering shaft, under the dash. There were descriptions of an improved green plastic bearing. If you've read up on it, you've also run into zip ties, hose clamps, and muffler clamps that pull the shaft to one side instead of rattling around.

I think I put a zip tie on mine years ago and since then, I just ignore any clunks. I accept it as "a GM thing".

Sorry, I have nothing to say about vagueness. A couple of years ago I had a steering box put in, but that was because it was leaking. Other than that I haven't needed any front end work, except shocks and a heavier-duty sway bar, and I adjusted toe to eliminate some edge-wear on the tires.