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mypro -> RE: Knocking in Steering Column (11/25/2006 4:01:49 PM)
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Ok, I just resolved this problem (for the time being) in my 2003 Chevy Tahoe Z71. You have to re-grease the intermediate steering shaft. I wanted to clarify some issues when doing this procedure. I spent 3 hours reading thru forums and decided to take on the job myself today. Took me about 1.5 hrs and went fairly smooth, but please note the following if you decide to do this job yourself. 1. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AND STRAP THE STEERING WHEEL WITH A RATCHET STRAP OR ROPE REAL TIGHT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING. DO NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE PROCEDURE UNTIL YOU HAVE EVERYTHING TORQUED AND IN PLACE. IF YOU MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL ONCE YOU HAVE REMOVED THE SHAFT, YOUR GOING TO INCUR ANOTHER $300+ REPAIR. 2. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY (IF YOU HAVE THEM) TO GET THE SHAFT OUT. IT IS A TIGHT FIT AND YOU WILL HAVE TO WORK AT IT, BUT IT WILL COME OUT. REMOVE THE END OF THE LEG HEATER ASSEMBLY UNDER THE DASH AS IT JUST POPS OFF AND THIS WILL BUY YOU SOME SPACE. 3. 15mm OR 17mm WRENCHES WILL GET THE JOB DONE, A 3/8 DRIVE RATCHETT WILL ALSO HELP. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE DEEP SOCKETS OR AN AIR RATCHET IF YOU HAVE ADJ. PEDALS, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE. 4. I USED HIGH TEMP WHEEL BEARING GREASE AS RECOMMENDED BY A SERVICE TECH IN ONE OF THE FORUMS I READ. THE HIGH TEMP WILL KEEP THE GREASE FROM BREAKING DOWN AS THE SHAFT SITS 5 INCHES FROM THE EXHAUST MAINFOLD. I PERSONALLY DID NOT WANT TO RE-GREASE THIS SHAFT EVERY 2 YEARS. I PUSHED AS MUCH GREASE INTO THE CLIP SIDE OF THE SHAFT AND PUT THE CLIP BACK IN. I OPENED AND CLOSED THE SHAFT MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THE GREASE TO WORK ITSELF UP INTO THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY. I MADE SURE I HAVE ABOUT A 1/2 OF GREASE ON THE SHAFT NECK BEFORE I PUT IT BACK IN THE VEHICLE. 5. GOOD LUCK GETTING A TORQUE WRENCH ONTO THE BOLTS! THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT! 6. TAKE YOUR TIME, BE CAREFUL AND PUT EVERYTHING BACK JUST HOW YOU TOOK IT OUT, JUST WITH EXTRA GREASE! SOME OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO ALL MAKES, MODELS AND YEARS. THESE TIPS ARE MEANT TO BE HELPFUL, NOT PROFESSIONAL GUARANTEED ADVICE. USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK! Good Luck Dan
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