Steering System, bit of a clunk.

[electro]

Hey guys, Merry Christmas first of all!

I have not looked under the truck at all in terms of this specific problem.

I get a clunk when turning every now and then.

I am thinking it is ball joints..

It only happens when the wheel gets cranked to one side or another.

Like something is reseating itself back into place.

I would assume something it going to snap eventually and I will need a tow.

Just looking for possible issues so I can check out all of them when I get the truck off the ground.

Thanks!!

Ryan.

 

[Mr.Jack]

This is a normal problem on these models.
Mine made the same sound. It was the upper intermediate steering shaft. I replaced it with a new none greasing one, aftermarket part bought on Ebay. My local Chevrolet dealer replaced it under 30 minutes.
Btw, it is not a safety issue. Nothing will ever break. But it is kind of annoying.

 

[bankswood]

You can buy one at Advance Auto for $75. Its an easy DIY. search this forum.

 

[electro]

Hey guys thanks for the responses.

Will greasing the upper intermediate steering shaft provide a temp. fix?

Thanks again.

 

[taylorjm]

I disagree. Whenever my steering shaft needed to be replaced, it would feel like the wheels were going to fall off when hitting bumps and turning. He said he's getting a clunk when turning. I would think it's also ball joints. If you want to check them, jack up a front tire, stick a pry bar under the tire, and pull up on the bar and see if you get any movement in the ball joints. I know people say you can just wiggle the tire, but I've always had to get under the tire and pry up on it to check them. I'd get it checked out before your tire falls off.

 

[owner]

I think you need to listen to taylorjm, for your own and your family's safety!

 

[electro]

I personally don't think its the intermediate shaft because I am not feeling it in the steering wheel. The sound is more pronounced then the feeling. However I can feel it, but it is all over as in in my seat and in my feet.

I checked the ball joints and tie rods two weeks ago. Everythings good there.

It is a clunk or snap generally at low speed and only when turning.

I was Part Source looking on their computer program, "Shop Key."

I read about the front cross member requiring some new washers to be installed around the crossmember mounting bolts. I read that there is a noise created by the cross member slipping back and fourth on these bolts or bolt heads. This was interesting.

 

[ScottL4619]

I have this exact same problem/symptoms and had a shop check all of my suspension and steering components and found nothing wrong. They used a bar of some sort and went through everything looking for slop.

I will have to look into this cross member, as this sounds potentially like something that could be the issue. When the noise happens makes me think something is slipping in and out of place...like when a load is placed on the front from turning tightly or going over a curb into a driveway.

 

[electro]

Hi ScottL4619.

I am couple days away from getting under my truck again as my dad and I are building new shelfs and painting the garage. Everything is front and center right now.

When we are done I am going to lift the front up and check this out.

I plan to add some washers of appropriate diameter and some anti-seize compound as well. This is the fix according to the write up I read at local parts store.

To clarify I will add these washers to the front cross-member mounting bolts. Now that I'm thinking about this Im going to first try and add washer and anti-seize compound only to the bolt head. I suppose I dont want the nut spinning off.

 

[ScottL4619]

From my quick and dirty research, it does appear that the front crossmember can cause this exact issue. There also seem to be two fixes...one being to enlarge the slots in the crossmember and the other being to add a 14mm ID washer. I'm not really sure which to do, but the easier of the two (washers) sounds more attractive. It might be worth checking to make sure the bolts are tight in the first place...

 

[taylorjm]

If you get a chance to take a pic of the crossmember, or post the link to where you saw instructions, I'd appreciate it! I also have a little clunk when turning, but I figured it was due for new ball joints and wheel bearings, so I'm going to start with replacing them.

So this cross member is not tight, but loosed up somehow, and the washers will take up space somehow?

 

[ScottL4619]

Here are the two solutions:

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-19711.html

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=21729.30;wap2

 

[electro]

Here are the two solutions:

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-19711.html

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=21729.30;wap2

SCOTTS A BEAST.

Making me super happy.

First to fix it gets a prize. Wont be me, no time.

Taylor, I think your just helping the bolt/nut heads slide in all necessary directions instead of them popping/snapping back and fourth.

 

[MeanGreen03]

From my quick and dirty research, it does appear that the front crossmember can cause this exact issue. There also seem to be two fixes...one being to enlarge the slots in the crossmember and the other being to add a 14mm ID washer. I'm not really sure which to do, but the easier of the two (washers) sounds more attractive. It might be worth checking to make sure the bolts are tight in the first place...

DO NOT DO THIS!!! Altough it was a TSB, the revised TSB is to add the washers. It was found out that the slotting made things worse.

 

[ScottL4619]

DO NOT DO THIS!!! Altough it was a TSB, the revised TSB is to add the washers. It was found out that the slotting made things worse.

Thanks for the heads up. I was probably going to try the washer first. I believe you can do the bolts one at a time and add a washer without removing the crossbar.

 

[fire730]

Keeping an eye on this thread.

Mine pops when I come off a curb with the wheel turned to one side. I assumed it was from lowering it. Ill be looking into it soon since I have to do some other front end work on my truck.

 

[southboundchicken]

Keeping an eye on this thread.

Mine pops when I come off a curb with the wheel turned to one side. I assumed it was from lowering it. Ill be looking into it soon since I have to do some other front end work on my truck.

i have a similar issue as well. its more of a click or pop than a clunk but none the less somethings moving that shouldnt, i dont have this issue on my 02 z71 so im wondering if this is a issue with the 2 wheel drives or just the tahoes. fwiw i was going to replace the ball joints when i install my lowering spindles

 

[fire730]

i have a similar issue as well. its more of a click or pop than a clunk but none the less somethings moving that shouldnt, i dont have this issue on my 02 z71 so im wondering if this is a issue with the 2 wheel drives or just the tahoes. fwiw i was going to replace the ball joints when i install my lowering spindles

I need to replace my inner tie rods but that is the only bad parts on my front suspension. My noise sounds just like everyone is describing so I'm going to check out the crossmember bolts.

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

This is an old thread, I'm new to the forum. Maybe the results are posted on another thread I haven't been able to find. Any way - my new-to-me 2006, 2WD, 100k miles has a clunking sound and slight feeling of clunkiness in the steering wheel noticeable when driving slow over some bumps seems like when making a slight turn. But I need to see if I can get the sound going straight. Sounds like coming from the front sus. or steering as others have mentioned. I'm going to look back under the front at the cross member situation and find other threads re. how to check various steering parts for play. I would agree that definitely this noise should not be there.

 

[treehan77]

its most likely the intermediate steering shaft. i didn't even replace mine, i "exercised" it and it has been fine for months now. Super easy, just make sure you lock down the steering wheel with the seatbelt, rope, duct tape or something so it doesn't move. There's plenty of discussion about this part and fixing or replacing it on here if you seach Intermediate steering shaft. Here's a link to show you what i did though, which cured the sound you seem to have.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W7TjXG_BAs