Intermediate Steering Shaft

[Custom88]

As our Auroras progressively age and come into the higher mile category, more and more of us will have our cars with problems in the steering. During slow maneuvers, or stopped, you may feel a clunking in the steering wheel, and a popping sound. In most cases, this is the Intermediate Steering Shaft. GM knows of the problem and has released a lube kit for it, and a revised shaft, although many who have performed this maintenance on the Bonneville Club, have said that the new shaft still suffers from the same problem.

This is a video of what the Intermediate Steering Shaft "pop/clunk" sounds like on a Vehicle suffering from the problem. It's on a 2000 Bonneville, but it was the only vehicle on hand that I have to demonstrate the sound. My Aurora also had this problem at 45,000 miles but it was fixed under warranty.


This is the GM service Bulletin on the steering shaft:

[Marc]

Good info.....make it a sticky!

[aurorabrain]

Sorry to have to say this, but that info is old and they have changed the fix. See Bulletin #06-02-35-010. Replacement of the shaft with a new design is the fix. It is only for the listed cars.

2001-2004 Cadillac Seville -- with RPO JL4
2001-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
2000-2005 Pontiac Bonneville

[Custom88]

AB, is that fix perminent? From what I've read on BC the new shafts are still having the same problem after several thousand miles.

[cherry2002]

I just popped some lithium grease into the shaft and 2 weeks later so far so good. We'll see how long it lasts....

[aurorabrain]

custom88 said:

AB, is that fix perminent? From what I've read on BC the new shafts are still having the same problem after several thousand miles.

That TSB I posted came out 8 months ago, i don't think its been long enough to tell for sure. The new shaft is a completely different design, not just a new shaft of the same thing. The part # for the new shaft is 26068295 and retail is $135.75. That is the most up to date info that GM has on this issue for the cars listed.

Just an FYI that happened recently, the lube kits for truck intermediate shafts are no longer availiable. The current fix is to disconnect it, stroke it a few times, and re-install it. It kinda makes me wonder what kind of engineers GM has working for them.

[bufo]

Hey Buddiemac. Here is the thread with the TSB # that calls for the replacement of the ISS.

[Buddiemac]

Custom - great post, the forum should make this one always appera at top of forum.

Bufo, Thanks - this is interesting that this TSB has changed so recently - that is why I suggest to go to dealer to read the TSBs before taking action.

[kobrak]

I finally have a chance to tear into this. How do I get it out? I crawl under the dash and can see one knuckle if I pull the clear boot down, but where do I disconnect the darn thing? Do I somehow remove the black plastic round tube that goes towards the steering wheel?

[kobrak]

Ok, just got in from the garage. I did get the thing out and lubed it up with some lithium grease I had. Worked it in good so hopefully it should be good for awhile. I simply cut the black plastic tube length wise and then found then bolt and nut. Unscrew the nut as the bolt has a lock that goes around the shaft. I think it was a 12mm. The underhood side of the shaft is an 11mm and I simply slide the plastic boot up and then unscrewed that bolt all the way. Slide it out from the underhood side. When I reinstalled it I did it from the other side. I took a strap and ran it through the wheel and around the seat head rest so the wheel didn't turn while working on it.

[buck91]

So its the splines/telescoping section causing the issue? Did not realize the shaft actually moved- I wonder if a tackier grease (like what Ford specifies for similar issue in 2-pc driveshafts) would work better than white lithium.

I will be R&R my shaft the next day I have time to try this out. Not sure what I will use yet, but if I can get some Triflow synthetic grease in there that's my goal- otherwise I'll likely just get a bunch of FluidFilm on it.

[buck91]

Just wanted to provide an update for anybody searching this out. I pulled the intermediate steering shaft back in early Oct 2014 and manually greased it with Triflow synthetic grease (very tacky synthetic grease thickened with PTFE/Teflon). It is now almost June 2015 and the steering pop has remained mostly solved. Every now and again you can just barely hear and feel it, but not often and doesn't really seem to be increasing in frequency yet. So far so good

[gdouaire]

Anyone had the steering serviced at a GM dealer for this issue? Considering to send my car for this repair... everything else work fin on the car, so I'm thinking this is worth it... unless the oerall pricetag for this repair has 4 digits

[paulaurora]

Its better to replace the shaft with the new design. The service old part will start making noise in a year or 2.. I am sure any shop can replace that for you doesnt have to be a dealer.

[gdouaire]

I'll get a quote for that replacement. It's the only thing I don't like about the car right now, might as well get it fixed.

[awehlage]

You should tackle it yourself! One of the easier (if that's possible!) fixes I've done.

Just make sure you secure the steering wheel in the straight ahead orientation so you don't get a crooked wheel and alignment is off. They make a tool to insert into the steering wheel to lock it in place, but a screwdriver works just as well.

[gdouaire]

Really? I was under the impression a lot is required. Everything looks so packed under that hood... I'll look it up. If I tackle this, I will make sure I have a second car available, just in case...

[awehlage]

You can access the bolt connecting the ISS to the rack by removing the drivers side wheel.

On the inside you will have to access the boot the protects the shaft from outside elements and because it rotates as to not hit anything under the footwell. Remove the footwell trim piece with the light and air temperature sensor. I just removed the metal wire retainers inside the boot, split the boot in half with a utility knife and removed the boot.

Pull up on the ISS making it short enough to pull into the cabin and then drop it out from the steering wheel. Might be 1 or 2 electrical connectors that have to be unclipped as well...don't remember exactly.

Reverse procedure for installation, zip tie the boot closed (don't insert the stupid metal ring retainers) and make sure you don't bump the steering wheel!