Only when I make a hard turn to the left at slow speeds do I get this noise. Sounds and feels like it is in the cab of the truck. Has anyone else had this problem? Almost sounds like it needs some sort of lubricating?? Can that be done?

It might be a tie-rod end or more than likely its the intermediate shaft on the steering.

Sounds like the intermediate steering shaft.
You can remove the shaft and lubricate it, check the do it your self section on how to do that, or take it to the dealer and have them do it.
I had to have mine replaced because it was clunking so bad.

I just had mine repaired under warranty too.

I had my intermediate steering shaft replaed and it didnt help the clunking noise. When they installed the new one they didnt get it seated properly in the large rubber boot under the hood, and it made a weird noise inside the cab when i turned at slow speeds. You may want to check the boot under the hood mine was in a bind, once I reinstalled the shaft properly the noise went away.

The intermediate steering shaft was replaced at 20K on my GMC 2500HD.... also under warranty.

Had mine replaced twice - still got the same problem!

Take it back. I asked my dealer about a steering rattle during a sch maint visit and they replaced mine at 40k (no charge) they must be having problems and trying to make it right.

This has been a problem since the truck has been released in '99. It is still a problem with the 05 trucks. You don't expect GM to have this figured out after 6 years do you? Censored

Update:
I bought the truck used about 3000 miles ago, now has just over 47800 and some change. Just recently had the VIN number checked and it seems the previous owner has already had a new shaft replacement on Aug '04 and then the stealer put a new one in on the trade in on April '05. Seems this has been an on going problem before my time. Now they tell me with only 500 miles left on my "GM Certified Warranty" that I need a new steering gear box. Hope this solves the problem because otherwise the pecker heads that sold me this truck will be responsible for something they should have fixed months ago.

I have the same noise and it only happens when making a left turn and accelerating, like making a left into a parking lot or parking space. I complained about it when I had her reflashed but I did not know at the time I could reproduce it while revving the engine - every time, even while in park.

It will not do it when idling and turning left/right nor when revving and turning right. Anyway, the stealer could not reproduce it but they replaced the intermediate shaft without any improvement. I was thinking it was in the steering pump since it was related to the engine speed? I will be bringing it up when she goes in for the new recalls and showing them how to reproduce it.

Max,
When you say since '99, do you mean Diesels only? This is my 3rd since 2000 but the first Diesel and this is the first to do it.

Sounds like your issue is slightly different than mine. I can make mine groan, while in park with no acceleration and at slow speeds (left turn only). Accelerator seems to have no effect on mine. My dads '99 1/2 ton had the same problem. Strange, but he just rode it out and it eventually went away

Max,
When you say since '99, do you mean Diesels only? This is my 3rd since 2000 but the first Diesel and this is the first to do it.

All the new body style trucks have this problem all the way back to 99 gas or diesel. Eventually they all seem to do it. My 99 did it, my 00 did it, my 01 did it, my 03 did it, and now my 04 is doing it. This one took 20,000 miles before it started, I'm not sure how long the others took.

Thats wierd - I guess I was lucky until now. My others were a '00 with 56k and an '02 with 48k and neither had it. Both had the intermediate shaft issues though and they were both fixed after only one visit.

I will post about whatever they find when I go in next.

just had my intermediate steering shaft replaced today...only have 17,000 miles on the truck. it still rattles when the wheel is turned and going slow or decelerating over small bumps, but it is not nearly as bad as it was. i don't know if i should waste the time to bring it back or live with it.

Friend of mine and I both ordered new 2003 Chevy diesel 2500HD's. I only have 13K on mine and no problems but he drives a lot more than I do and around 20K, his truck started making a clunking noise in the steering when he was driving slow and making left or right turn on rough surface. Chevy service manager immediately knew what it was. (I don't). Service manager said they would lubricate it for the time being and would replace the part later (under warranty). Said Chevy was backlogged on the part and didn't know when he could get it. I would suggest you go in and get the process started before warranty expires and hope you get the part sometime in your lifetime..............or the lifetime of the truck.

What Kind of noise is it?? when I make slow speed turns it makes a clunk almost like someone is taps the frame or boby with a hammer. Is that the kind of sound it makes?

can you feel it in the steering wheel? I feel it, i have been thinking it was a shock bushing or something.
guess i will take it in pretty soon to:grd:

it's a rattle / vibrating sound, kind of like metal on metal, and it seems to happen in conjunction with the vibration in the steering wheel when going over a series of small bumps with the wheel turned.

Mine does the "funny noise when turning left and accelerating thing" and I don't think it the same as the steering shaft replacement. I'm not saying that that wouldn't possibly fix it, but it is not the loose rattling that the steering shaft TSB addresses. This is more like a power steering pump groan.

It occurs when the steering wheel is turned quickly, close to full lock (but it is not squealing b/c it is being held at full lock). The weird thing is it sounds like it is coming from inside the cab, right in the steering column. I've had plenty of moaning power steering pumps, and unless it is "throwing" the sound some kinda way, it is not coming from there.

It is also totally random, as far as moving/not moving, truck is cold/warm. It does seem to occur more when it is cold outside, though.

i work for a municipality and i spoke to the town mechanic about the rattle in the steering shaft. he had the same problem in his personal silverado, and a few of the town owned ones. he fixed the problem by tightening a bolt on the steering shaft. i'm not sure what bolt he's talking about, but he said sometimes the dealer tightens the bolt without holding the nut on the back, and the nut then spins while being tightened, thus not tightening to it's fullest.

I've got the same problem with mine. I can feel mine in the steering wheel. Has 19,000 miles and the vibrating/noise is getting worse. I'm headed to the dealer this week.

Only when I make a hard turn to the left at slow speeds do I get this noise. Sounds and feels like it is in the cab of the truck. Has anyone else had this problem? Almost sounds like it needs some sort of lubricating?? Can that be done?
:( yea i have the same problem to, 05 gmc c/c short bed