Slop in steering, upper shaft?

[rsm688]

Okay guys I've got some slop in my steering I've got to get under control. My lower intermediate shaft and steering rack/tie rod ends/entire suspension are 6 months old with maybe 3k miles on them. I'm pretty sure it's the upper steering shaft or column. I can turn my wheel about 1" each direction before it starts actually moving the steering. I've been so busy I've been procrastinating taking care of it. Has anyone else had this issue or replaced the upper shaft/column?


I found the part number for it but haven't seen much info about replacing them or them wearing out on here or other forums.


Thanks,
Spencer

 

[4speedfunk]

I've heard that same diagnosis from dealers. However...I've yet to see that swapping steering shafts fixes anything! I've had all that stuff apart before and it's obvious if something is worn. The only thing to wear is the u-joints or the slip shaft. I've never ran across one that needed replaced, and I don't know why people continue to mess with them. My money is on the rack itself or the mounting bushings.
It's super easy to tell. Just rotate the input back & forth with your hand and look for corresponding movement at the tie rod. There should be zero lash between the input and the tie rod. Also grab the input and have someone wiggle the steering wheel back & forth. This will tell you if there is any slop in the column.
If you do tear into it...make sure to use the column lock pin. It's very important that you don't spin the wheel with the shaft disconnected.

 

[alrock]

There were early intermediate shafts that were subject to a TSB, but that's it except as 4speed describes

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[rsm688]

4speedfunk, the steering rack is a new OEM one with maybe 1000 miles on it, I've got upgraded diff mount, new bushings, new updated lower intermediate shaft (1000 miles as well). So I'm all but positive it isn't either of those, I had the slop in my steering before I installed the new rack and the new intermediate shaft and they did not cure it so I am thinking it has to be farther up. Maybe the slip shaft. I agree I think it's typically not something you should see from the upper area but that's the only things I have not replaced yet. I will check what you said and see if I can figure out what's moving.

With the vehicle off I can turn the wheel an inch or so left and right before I feel tension as it starts wanting to turn the tire

 

[Happy Hummer]

Lol. Good luck.
I've gone through a lot of this with gf's h3.
Lower intermediate shaft.
Upper lower intermediate shaft.
Checked rack, tie rods, mounts & notta.
Still sloppy. Still noisy.
We gave up and just put up with it.
Chris

 

[ReconH3]

Get a custom one made by Flaming River, Borgeson or other custom steering shaft companies. One of them actually had a GM replacement one.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"