[Red04Rock]

And in this ring "THE new intermediate shaft...the shaft to solve all of your steering bump problems...the shaft that will not require lubrication once a year...the shaft you've been waiting for all these years...the shaft that GM could never design or have built correctly until this amazing breakthrough in technology!!!!

Anyone believe this? I had scheduled a "customer will wait" appointment with the local stealer for Jan 3rd to have the intermediate shaft lubricated (it had gotten to the I-can't-stand-it point). This was part of the continuing saga of GM lubricating the shafts, then replacing shafts, then no replacements - only lubrication. Anyway, the service writer (nice guy) tells me sorry - we're short of mechanics and backed up so it'll be about 6 hours. I'm sorry too because I have things to do and tell him I'll reschedule. Today I call and he tells me he can get me in tomorrow, but wait, he remembers something coming out from Chevy on the Intermediate Shaft Problem and asks me to hold while he calls the service manager. He comes back on and says Chevy has a new intermediate shaft coming out in 30 days and won't cover lubrication of the shafts under warranty because of the replacements being "on the way." So, for all of you that waited for 6+ months for the shafts on nationwide backorder only to be told, "Sorry, no more replacements; just lubrication" you can see where this is going. If this sounds like a rant - you understand perfectly. I'm having it done tomorrow anyway and paying for the labor (I got the kit from Eric) as the start of a urination contest with Chevy.
For those of you having intermediate shaft problems, I would recommend getting in line for the "new, improved shaft." I'm a full-time RVer so it doesn't work for me to get a backorder on a part. By the time it arrives at that dealership, I'm long gone from there. Guess I'll end up waiting till they're laying on the shelves in the parts department...
Still clunking in the turns-
Rowdy

 

[Trotorx2]

I was told the samething. I ask to be put on their list to call when the new shafts come in. I'm going to call once a week to remind them. My truck hasn't made 11,000 miles yet and it is rattling all the time.

Red if you have the lube kit why not do it yourself it isn't a hard job. I lubed my '03 twice after the dealer wouldn't cover it under warrenty.

 

[DieHardChevyMan]

Where do you lube??

 

[Trotorx2]

Check out this thread http://http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3325

 

[Red04Rock]

Update...

Well, either GM or the dealer stepped up to the plate and covered the lubrication of the intermediate shaft under warranty; "temporary" ending of story. I still plan to get the new shaft after it's out for awhile and proves itself worthy. If y'all remember, the last time they did this the "new and improved" shafts were acting up after three months and they changed back to the "lube only" program. I still have my kit and I could do it myself if I had to, but why would I give GM a break on this when it's under warranty and is a known issue? All I'm hoping for is a fix that will last until the "final fix." If GM didn't have to cover this under warranty, they wouldn't be doing anything to fix the problem, i.e. the squeaky wheel (or is that intermediate shaft?) gets the grease!
By the way, the steering feels fine after almost 25 miles!!!!
Rowdy

 

[csmartindale]

Oh great...I just had mine in recently for the 2nd ISS in 32K miles, and was told that they "removed and exercised" the shaft . It's fixed, but for how long?

 

[timberdoodle]

Oh great...I just had mine in recently for the 2nd ISS in 32K miles, and was told that they "removed and exercised" the shaft . It's fixed, but for how long?

Same here. It amazes me how they come up with the catch phrase "exercise the shaft".

 

[plrod]

Reading this continuing saga just makes me salivate more for the 09 Toyota HD diesel truck. I have two vehicles with this problem, my 04 LB7 Silverado and an 02 Yukon XL and I've long given up on GM to solve the problem - I've just accepted it for what it is and trust that there isn't a related safety issue there. I think if there was a possibility of the later, GM would have owned up a long time ago and fixed the damned problem.

Now here's my rant: Every time I see a post where someone is suggesting they're also waiting for the Toyota, there is a follow-up post providing a link to the fact that they recalled more vehicles last year than GM sold or something to that effect. Well, I'm well aware of that thank you. At least they owned up to the problem and issued a recall. It's all relative folks...if you still think jap cars/trucks are so bad, why do you think they're gaining market share. GM will probably eventually fix the problem, they're just waiting for warranties to expire so that we'll have to pay for it.

I'm holding out for a HD Toyota, LMM is a transitional engine in a decent enough truck but I have high hopes that the Toy will be every bit as good or better truck wise.

OK rant over, I feel better.

 

[ockgator]

Imports get away with their problems mainly because the media glosses over their problems while shining a spotlight on the big 3's.

Don't believe me??? Imagine how the press woulda reacted if all the recalls and production delays happened to the GMT 900's.

I make my living turning wrenches and the imports break too.

 

[Kennedy]

My latest Thread regarding this subject:

http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1565424#post1565424

 

[ratlover]

How hard would it be to add a zerk? Then at least you wouldnt have to remove the darn thing...

This thread will not turn into a brand war.

 

[Sulley]

I just wish there was a link or thread that had all the recalls listed or just a list of problems that are most common on stock trucks/parts. I am to computer illiterate to search for all this crap. I have not received any recalls on my truck yet, anything I should really be concerned about?

 

[Kennedy]

If you have a problem, or what you think is a problem, take it up with the dealer or ask here if it is normal or not. If there is a real major recall then you'll be notified. The steering shaft while annoying as hell to some isn't a safety concern and doesn't affect everybody.

In this case if you feel any clunking in the steering wheel it's the shaft.

As for what can be done about it, only time will tell after a few get the update done...

 

[Scott2500hd]

I installed grease fittings in a few trucks, takes about as long as it took to type that first post.

Simply unbolt it under the hood (one bolt) slide the shaft up a little. Pull out the spring clip and install a small rubber plug in the end. Some of you may have a plug from a old lube kit, may have to cut it down a little. Push back in the spring clip, a perfect seal is not needed. Drill a hole in the most easy to access area in the upper (hollow) part of the shaft. Install your fitting and pump in some grease.

Hit it when you change your oil......clunk will not return as long a few pumps every now and then.

 

[kozzer1]

I'm assuming after reading up on this that the shaft is covered under a "special" warranty by GM...kinda like the injectors? If so, is there any type of deductible that is charged?