hmmm oh well i got the oem part for a good discount off of ebay brand new so I will just put this new redesigned one on. It looks to be a little tricky perhaps from what i have been reading...the gm serv bulletin says u need this pin to keep the steering wheel straight and you ahve to remove the accelerator pedal and slide this thing in and out thru the steering column so i mgiht just pay someone....

 

I've seen the lower column bearing wear out also and cause the same noise.

 

hmm. well ill have to replace this and then see....I really hope it is the shaft

 

Replacing the shaft is a piece of cake, just make sure that you don't let the steering wheel spin or you could break the clock spring for the air bag. I think that I ran the seat belt through the wheel to hold it in place...it was a long time ago. I didn't have to remove the gas pedal when I did mine...IIRC there's a 13mm bolt under the hood...maybe one under the dash? Can't remember, I re-greased mine using 2 of the factory kits over 5 years ago and my knocking pretty much hasn't come back. Every once in a while with the wheel turned a certain way while hitting a bump I'll get a very slight knock, but nothing like it used to be.

 

Yes, that is correct.

 

The most recent updated shaft has fixed them. I haven't had to do any over again that has the most recent shaft. You would think they could find a fix. They've had this same problem since 1999. 07 NNBS trucks and up don't have this problem

 

Cool, if I take some pics and post them would u guys answer a few questions?I'm reading the serv bulletin andni don't see why I would have to work inside the truck, I seem to see the shaft in the engine bay, but maybe I'm looking at the wrong one idk...

 

do you guys see the shaft here?

 

yes, and it goes through the boot in the firewall and the other end bolts up to the shaft coming out of the steering column

 

hmmm, ok yeah that one bolt there has to come off then the ones inside the cabin...I know not to let the steering wheel move, GM actually sells a "pin" that inserts into the steering wheel and locks it, but i suppose the seatbelt mthod would work