: the contact stated when turning the steering wheel there was a clanking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealership in March 2004, where the rear stabilizer link and front lower control arm bushings were replaced and lubricant was applied to the steering shaft. After the repairs the noise did not completely cease, and the vehicle is currently at the dealership. The dealership has determined the steering shaft needs to be replaced. Updated 2/13/2006 -

- Coopersville, MI, USA

Steering shaft was replaced in August 2004 because of technical service bulletin (tsb) about binding. In March 2005 the steering shaft broke in half, causing a loss of control with steering of the vehicle. The defective part was replaced along with a new steering coil. The part was still binding and slipping as it was the first time when fixed in 2004. A diagnostic test was done in April 2005, and Chevrolet told me it was my brakes. I took it to another dealer, and they said my brakes were fine. Problem needed to be fixed before someone got hurt the next time it breaks.

- Barberton, OH, USA

When turning the steering wheel in either direction a knocking noise was heard. The dealer stated that the intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced.

- Columbia, MD, USA

I bought the car new and within 32000 miles you could feel a clunk in the steering column. The Impala was driven under normal day to day usage and was properly maintained. Took the car in for warranty work and was told they had to lube and replace a piece on the intermediate shaft of the steering. Now at 81000 miles the same characteristics show up again! intermediate shaft on steering column starts with a clicking noise and through usage and time gets worse. You start feeling the click through the steering column and wheel at low speeds and when the brake is depressed while driving! I feel as an aircraft mechanic and in my professional opinion GM needs to be made to have a recall on all Impala's produced from 2000 thru 2004. This clicking is a failure of the intermediate shaft and other steering components associated it and will lead to subsequent failure and accident in this vehicle.

- Hampton, VA, USA

A 'clunk' with associate 'looseness' in the steering of our 2000 Impala is noted. Our research indicates that many owners of similar models who experienced this occurrence and, by some dealers, was corrected by replacement of the intermediate steering shaft. We are concerned that we have a problematic steering assembly and do not know if this can lead to failure or not.

- Tennille, GA, USA

After several months of operation a clunking or rattle sound began to be heard in the front end of the car. You could feel it as a vibration in the steering wheel. I took the car to munday Chevrolet 17800 I-45 North houston, Texas, 77090. They said there was a Chevrolet/Impala bulletin for this problem and it would be fixed. Several months later on 04/14/03 I returned to the same location to complain that the problem had not been resolved. They packed it with 8.8 pounds of lubricant and said that would fix the problem for a couple years. Three months later the problem is again happening. I can't conceive that an obvious defect in which the "intermediate shaft" rattles and is felt in the steering wheel is acceptible. There is an obvious unresollved problem that I feel could be dangerous in possibly lock up the steering.

- Conroe, TX, USA

Intermediate shaft is popping at all speeds. I don't want them to just grease it, I want them to replace it. I also want it to be under warranty. They won't cover it because it is just a lube job. It is not just a normal lube. It has to be remove then disassembled then greased and reassembled.

- Picayune, MS, USA

The steering column was clunking at low speeds whenever a turn was initiated. At highway speeds the vehicle had a tendency to wander. Bill heard Chevrolet in buford Georgia diagnosed the problem as an intermediate steering shaft. At the time they indicated that there they were seeing a significant number of failures of this component. On January 8 the vehicle was brought in to be repaired. Upon picking up the vehicle the service advisor indicated that the part was not replaced, it was lubricated. I questioned that and was informed that this was in accordace with a Chevy service bulletin. I feel that the part should be replaced and that failure to do so represents a safety hazard.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

The intermediate steering shaft assembly appears to be defective on a number of 2000 model year Impala. No tsb or recall from GM as of yet. Aluminum engine cradle still a big safety concern in these vehicles.

- Miami, FL, USA