it was making bumping noise at turns very irritating, thought it was tearing up,very scary not knowing what it was. lube didn't last long doing it again about a month or so. was told it needed new steering mechanism. was not covered under warranty. still making same noise at this time. what can i do about it. know i should have complained a lot sooner. but knowing men, as my husband said not to worry about it, so i've just let it slide. still irritates the crap out of me. thanks for letting me vent.
Bought 2004 silverado diesel dually crew cab new. About 18 months later the steering column started clunking. Especially when turning. First dealer said it was normal.second dealer basically said deal with it. At about 50K took to private garage and they greased the column. Felt and sounded good for about 5 minutes then back to its annoying self. 2012 and 117000K later I took it to a different dealer to get normal service. I mentioned the column problem to him almost jokingly and he said this...... Ok, this is a common problem with these trucks. We'll take care of it. Four hours later and about 188.00 bucks out of pocket the problem was solved. I mean perfect, smooth and quiet. The truck never felt or sounded better. They said they replaced the steering column bearing.
I bought my Silverado 3500 new in Aug 2004. After having it only for a few months, I noticed the noise from the steering column. Took it back to dealer, told nothing was wrong. Noise progressed, took it back again and was told the noise was normal. The last time it was looked at they greased it, said not to worry. I do worry as I haul my show horse with this truck. I noticed this past weekend that it is worse than ever and I worry about it now being a safety issue. I have always bought American made and Chevrolet has been my choice of trucks. Now looking at Ford or Dodge. This truck has only 61,000 miles as I use it mainly to pull my 2 Horse Gooseneck. REALLY disappointed in the response from two different dealers!
I too have the rattling/clunking in the steering shaft; so annoying I turn up the radio louder! Chevrolet/GM should have had a recall on this. I have 3 friends with same problem, 2 of them had it fixed under warranty. Took mine in and Mechanic had seen it before and said it was "normal". Only fix is to buy a Ford F-150 or a Toyota Truck!
Just purchased this truck and didn't notice the steering defect. But, now it does have the steering noise and the thump sound. So I now think the sheering is defective. I noticed the rack&pinion steering unit moves when turning, approx 1/4". So I will replace the rubber bushings. Now that I have really looked at my truck front end, the rack&pinion steering unit does seem a little undersized for the weight of the truck and size of tire? So, I would like to know what the fix is? I will fix it myself. One fellow talked about putting in a Napa intermediate steering shaft? I would like to know, is the Napa intermediate steering shaft a good fix? What else can be done to make it right?
I bought 2004 chev 3500 at 12,000 had to have steering shaft replaced. Fix problem until 25,000 miles. Took it back to dealer packed steering with grease. At 34,000 miles started clunking again. OUT OF WARRANTY. ON YEARS. Said they would replace shaft for 250.00. Didn't get it fixed still driving piece of junk. THANKS G.M FROM A LOYAL CUSTOMER
I noticed a clunking coming from the front driver's side so I took it to a friend who ran the body shop of a local Chevy dealership thinking that way when it went to the Service Dept. it would not get brushed off. Well, they had no idea. So I took it to two other shops who could not figure it out. While at another friend's shop we had it up so we decided to look at it again. Everything looked fine until I noticed a little movement in the control arm which we never looked at before. Sure enough the bushing was warn and moving quite a bit. That solved the feeling I had in the steering column!
I bought the truck used so I don't know it's history nor if this info will help others who might have the same issue that appears to be something else. I had to replace the ball joint (140K miles so I can't complain) I feel that the bushing obviously had something to do with that but I still feel a little something in the steering again so maybe it is the steering shaft now like others.
I've always had faith in GM products, I feel any steering problems should be considered a major Issue. I also own a 1994 GMC K1500 with 156,000 miles and never had a steering issue, what will it take 50 maybe 100 or even 1000 people killed before GM will find a permanent fix? I bought this truck so my family and I could feel safe on today's highways, How about GM lets not wait till folks die before addressing this problem and that's assuming no one has died already due to this defect.
We started having a thump in the steering about 2 to 3 wks ago on our 2004 Chev Siverado with 7100 miles on it. ( we have 2 other vehicles, that's why the LOW miles). When I called the Chevy service dept., I asked if there were any recalls. Of course not, because it's not considered a safety issue, just an annoyance.The service tech. on the phone knew what the problem was. When I took the truck in, another service tech. explained to us the exact solution the 1st one did , which was to replace the entire steering shaft at our expense, $204.00. How can all the Chev.service people know and recognize this problem with nothing on their side being done to remedy the problem. There should at least be a recall of some sort. Not a SAFETY issue !! What if the steering went out totally while on the road and someone was killed !! If there was to be a class action ,maybe Chevrolet would finally do something!!
When I was younger had a 1974 Ford F-150. Great truck had no problems, ran it until the body was about ready to fall off from rust in 1987. This is the first Chevy truck I have owned. Always buy American and like Chevy and the style of their trucks. Had the truck for about 11/2 years when the clunking started, also rubbing noise when turning left. Took it to the dealer and they knew exactly what the problem. Said the grease in the shaft was gone. Repacked it and for about $250.00. Ran another year before the problem occured again. Went to the dealer and asked about recalls and warranty. No recalls and out of warranty. So guess what its gona cost me again to solve the problem. Went online and found out the NAPA has a replacement that is better then the orginal shaft. Going to but it and fix it myself. Next year IM going to trade this junk in and BUY A FORD AGAIN! NO MORE CHEVYS FOR ME!
Purchased truck Jan. 05, clunk started shortly afterward.Dealer said truck was out of warranty(36 months came before 36000 miles).My company work truck is a 05 & clunk started immediately, but same dealer fixed under warranty for my boss.Some people have told me of same problem & dealer only lubed steering sector & results were only temporary.
I've been unemployed, don't have money to fix a problem that should be recalled. Working now part time and catching up on bills but still CLUNKING away. I won't take my truck on any long trips because I'm afraid it will cause a crash. PS. radio hasn't worked for a year now but was replaced two times.
ALL GMC and Chev trucks have from the 2004 (at least that I have owned) have a bad steering shaft. Up to 2008, I was able to get it fixed with just a lube or seal kit, believe it was $90 for the job, but then the kits became obsolete and the shaft requires replacing at a cost of $400.00.
I've owned 9 Chev?GMC trucks in the last 3 years, buy, fix, drive, flip. The steering feels clunky, you get the feeling the front end is going, but you really aren't going over heavy bumps, that's the shaft. It's a relief that it's not a $1000 job or more, but my one 1990 Chev with 31200 clicks never had that problem. It's a case of an improvement that's not an improvement at all, sort of like the new interior trim, the "Classic" body style (07 and older) had a solid interior, the new stuff, not so solid, pulls apart easy, just check the auctions.
Dealership said my warranty is expired and that there is no recall for this problem. They are aware that many people have complained but did not offer to to take some responsibility for fixing the problem. They said a lower steering shaft replacement is needed and the cost is all mine @ $307.00. They said it "should" last longer than the part that was replaced.
I plan to contact corporate officials give them the opportunity to make it right or loose a future customer-point blank- end of story.
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO EXT CAB 1500 SINCE JUNE OF 09 I HAVE EXSPERIENCED A NOISE CHAFFING CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUM. I DID BRING IT TO CHEVY THEY TOLD ME THEY DONT HAVE ANYTHING ON RECORD ABOUT A RECALL OF A STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM AND THEY SENT ME ON MY WAY.
I THINK WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THE INTERNET HAS ON THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY SILVERADO THEY BETTER RECALL THIS TRUCK SOON BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED IM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY WIFE AND BABY AROUND IN MY TRUCK. SHAME ON YOU GM FOR NOT ADRESSING THIS AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM DOES SOMEONE ALWAYS NEED TO DIE FIRST BEFORE YOU FIX THE PROBLEM THE RIGHT WAY!!
The steering shaft was repaired-replaced under warranty and started to make noise-rattle soon afterward.I didn't worry too much about it,my mechanic said it was a problem that was common and nothing to worry about.Recently I planned to sell the truck to my father-in-law and thought I would have it repaired again,the dealer said they knew of problem and replacing the shaft would solve the problem.I picked up the truck paid 2-300.00 and the problem is worse,I await the dealers call and solution,it's hard this problem can be this prevalent and difficulty to repair.
i have the same problem time after time with the stearing wheel clunking and they always temporarily fix it. i think the only reason i keep getting chevys is respect for my father who worked there. i think its almost time to try a different kind of company soon. i wish they would fix the problem for good but now too late, warranty is gone
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
it was making bumping noise at turns very irritating, thought it was tearing up,very scary not knowing what it was. lube didn't last long doing it again about a month or so. was told it needed new steering mechanism. was not covered under warranty. still making same noise at this time. what can i do about it. know i should have complained a lot sooner. but knowing men, as my husband said not to worry about it, so i've just let it slide. still irritates the crap out of me. thanks for letting me vent.
Sonia Harmon
- soniaharmon, West Point, GA, US