2007 Chevy Silverado bumping noise in steering

[Gary Fowler]

I have been hearing a bumping noise coming from the front end that seems connected to the steering column now for quite a while. Yesterday I decided to take it to the shop for a look see. When I told the mechanic about it, he immediately said, let me show you the culprit that I think it may be. He had a sliding knuckle joint (used) laying in his shop. It looked almost new but he said the sliding part wears and then causes the bumping noise when turning every time the wheels hit a little rough spot. Bottom line, $274 to replace it. I am supposed to pick it up today.

I was wondering how many other Chevy truck owners may have had the same problem. MY brother in law also has a 2007 Chevy and he said they replaced something in the steering in his at 6 months old. I suspect it was the same item.

 

[E/S]

My 2004 did the same thing several years ago.
Replaced the steering shaft coupling, no more problems.

E/S

 

[Gary Fowler]

I guess that is what you call it. It is directly under the dash. Sounds and drives like a new truck now. I suppose this U joint is what enables it to have a tilt wheel. The mechanic said they were poorly designed and the replacement is a bit different and stronger made in the sliding section which is what wears out.

 

[vulcancowboy]

I think it is called the intermediate steering shaft. My '03 has done this for years now, mostly at low speeds. It is not a safety issue. Here is a link to some inexpensive fixes, although the one I tried (muffler clamp) did not seem to help.
Steering Clamp Fix - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

 

[deerseeker001]

I had the same thing in my 2004 silverado looked to me like universal joint.

I have been hearing a bumping noise coming from the front end that seems connected to the steering column now for quite a while. Yesterday I decided to take it to the shop for a look see. When I told the mechanic about it, he immediately said, let me show you the culprit that I think it may be. He had a sliding knuckle joint (used) laying in his shop. It looked almost new but he said the sliding part wears and then causes the bumping noise when turning every time the wheels hit a little rough spot. Bottom line, $274 to replace it. I am supposed to pick it up today.

I was wondering how many other Chevy truck owners may have had the same problem. MY brother in law also has a 2007 Chevy and he said they replaced something in the steering in his at 6 months old. I suspect it was the same item.

 

[The Fred]

I thought they were all fixed by 2007 model year. Anyway GM warrantied plenty of those back in the day. They also make an adapter to fill the unit with grease also. Don't know the GM part number.

Fred

 

[crackerjack222]

My 2001 K2500 made the same bumping noise. It was still doing it when I traded it in ten years later with 267,000 miles on it.

 

[TheGoose]

They ALL did it, from '99-07. All you have to do is remove one bolt/nut and slide the shafts apart, apply ample amounts of grease, and then replace. Re-grease every so often in the same manner or install a grease zerk (drill and tap).

Don't ask about the A/C controls (blows hot one side, cold the other) or the bad dash instruments.

Other than that, those are great trucks.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Other than the irritating bumping noise, it did seem to temporarily hang up when attempting a tight turn then straighten up. The $274 did include a radiator flush and refill with new antifreeze also. I didn't look closely at the itemized bill to see how much each costs other than the mechanic said the majority of cost was for the u joint piece.
Chevy replaced that on my brother in laws truck a few months after he bought it but mine just started last year so the warranty has been up for a while. With that many problems, looks like they would have recalled them.

 

[deerseeker001]

that's what mine did,tight turns you is when you would really feel it in the Steering.I thing I caught mine while under Warranty.

Other than the irritating bumping noise, it did seem to temporarily hang up when attempting a tight turn then straighten up. The $274 did include a radiator flush and refill with new antifreeze also. I didn't look closely at the itemized bill to see how much each costs other than the mechanic said the majority of cost was for the u joint piece.
Chevy replaced that on my brother in laws truck a few months after he bought it but mine just started last year so the warranty has been up for a while. With that many problems, looks like they would have recalled them.