I want to go ahead and replace the intermediate steering shaft on my 2001 with 56k. The only aftermarket I've been able to find is Borgeson for $185 at Jegs. Are there any other manufacturers out there for these shafts?

 

you dont have to replaced the shaft, gm makes a grease kit for them. just go down to the dealership and buy a kit. there about 20 bucks and not hard to install.

 

here's my take on the grease kit. They work great, a little longer than replacing the shaft itself. BUT, here's what I do at work, and yet to have comebacks.....I use high pressure/temperature grease, pack it in, then collapse the shaft, instead of the grease gm supplies. I use the wheel bearing grease we have. Whatever you may have thats equivalent will work. No comebacks, and been about a year now. Let me know your thoughts.

 

What is involved with doing this...

 

just when you disassemble the shaft (pull the two halves apart) you pack the recieving end with the grease. TADA. No more clunk. Too bad GM wont catch on. LMAO!

 

So you are saying, instead of buying the grease kit from GM, just put wheel bearing grease in it?

 

Well, basically yeah. But the GM kit comes with a plug and directions for the rest of the greasing. I'll post the steps tomorrow, its time to hit the sack....

 

HERE IS THE INSTALL FOR THE INTERMIDIATE SHAFT LUBE KIT. JUST DONT USE THE LUBE - USE WHEEL BEARING TYPE GREASE!!! MAYBE THIS SHOULD BE STICKIED?

Remove the spacer clip from the end of the intermediate shaft with a pair of needle nose pliers.

Fully extend the shaft by pulling the two shafts apart.

Apply the syringe of grease supplied in the Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098419, into the open end of the shaft. Direct the syringe tip as deep as possible into the shaft and dispense the full content of the syringe.

Insert the plug supplied in the Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Lubrication Kit into the open end of the shaft and finger tighten the wing nut.

Place the plugged end of the shaft on a hard surface and apply pressure to collapse the shaft and dissipate the grease through the shaft.

Remove the plug from the shaft and fully extend the shaft.

 

and if anyone needs the part number for the kit - 26098419.

 

Ok. So I need the lube kit for the plug. Then pack it with garden variety wheel bearing grease. The thing I was wondering about is the play "slop" in the steering shaft. I have the clunk, but there seems to be a dead spot in the steering, mostly noticable on the highway. I know it's a truck, but I've read posts of people replacing the intermediate shaft with an aftermarket and the steering feeling tighter. Is it all in their head because they put in a $200 shaft, or will it help? By the way, I appreciate your responses.