2004 Silverado Intermediate Steering Shaft

[jwhjr]

I finally bit the bullet and decided to replace the infamous intermediate steering shaft on my truck. The 1999-2007 trucks had an ongoing issue that apparantly GM couldn't figure out how to fix but they kept on making them with the poor design. When I had mine in when it was still under warranty the fix at that time was to pull it and grease it. Well that "fix" finally got so bad I decided to replace the whole thing. GM came out with an updated shaft in 2007 or so (GM part #19153614) that is sealed, and from most accounts seems to fix the issue. I also replaced the column bearing (GM part #88963617) with an updated design as well as I was having issues with it leaking and causing noise up by the steering wheel. I got both parts shipped to my house for about $95. The repair is fairly straightforward as there are only 2 bolts to actually undo. You just have to be careful and make sure that you don't allow the steering wheel to turn much as apparantly you can cause an issue with the clock spring if it goes too far. I just bungied it in place to keep it stationary. The entire repair took me about an hour (just like you estimated airjer). I didn't get any pictures under the dash because it's pretty tight under there (or under the hood because I was too lazy), but I did take pics of the old/new parts.

Picture of the old shaft/bearing

New shaft/bearing

After taking it for a test drive with the new parts, it is like I'm driving a new truck again. The vibration in the steering wheel is gone, and no more rubbing or noise on the steering wheel. I have to learn to keep my mouth shut about not having to do many repairs on my truck though because since I've said that I've had to replace the HVAC blend door, water pump, and now the steering shaft. Hopefully I've met my quota for awhile At least I've been able to do them all myself for the cost of parts.

[TravP]

I just replaced mine finally because of this thread. WOW, what a difference. I bought the new column bearing too but broke it putting it in, oops. Reused the old one and it was fine. 45 minutes from start to finish. I've got the new pitman arm and idler arm too, just need the ambition to put them in.

[Hookmaster]

I replaced mine earlier this year. It fixed the clunking but soon after I have some occasional vibration when turning into parking places and driveways. Will replacing the bearing fix this? Where is the bearing located? I thought it was interesting that the two bolts you need to take off are different. The one under the hood was a normal nut and bolt but the one under the dash had the nut welded to the small bracket so you had to turn the head on the bolt.

[TravP]

Look under the dash, just towards the steering wheel from the ISS, that white plastic piece is the bearing. I believe the bearing will fix your issues.

[Huskie]

My 04 has the same issue, I might order the parts and have a wrench friend or a shop do the work, I'm not very mechanical. Where did you order the parts from? If you can post that!

[Jeremy airjer W]

My 04 has the same issue, I might order the parts and have a wrench friend or a shop do the work, I'm not very mechanical. Where did you order the parts from? If you can post that!

Any GM dealer will either have them or be able to get them for you.

[Hookmaster]

I got mine from a Chevy dealer. I think NAPA also makes a replacement shaft.

[TravP]

GM parts direct. There way cheaper.

[TravP]

Don't pay a shop to do the work, its way too easy to do it yourself.

[jwhjr]

Keep an eye on the part on GM Parts Direct, they run a special on it a lot of times with reduced shipping. That's where I got the part when I did it last year.

[FIRECAT]

I"ve got a 1999 Silverado 150,000 miles, power steering fluild seems fine, I get a buzzing noise at the wheel at times, could this be the intermediate shaft?

[caseymcq]

I have an '04 GMC Sierra that does the same thing... ???