I have an '04 silverado 4WD, 80k miles.
They recalled the vehicle a year ago or so & replaced the u-joint in the steering.
Recently there seems to be lots of play in the steering. I just checked and the play seems to be in the steering box itself.
has any one else had a similar problem?

also have had GM's my entire driving life, why do parts need replacing on the newer vehicles a lot sooner the '88, '94 etc.
i.e. new front wheel bearings, new water punp, etc.

 

The intermediate shafts are a bad design from the beginning of these body styles. i have had mine replaced twice.

 

in the gear box? how did u have that figured?
power steering always has a lot of play in it.
intermediate shaft will clunk, not give you play.
post exact symptoms of the problem, you might be chasing wrong side.
if you have paralellogram steering, with pitman/idler/gear box/trailing arm, many things will go wrong in it, and fast. too many moving parts/joints.

 

i have had the same problem....replaced twice...with a direct factory replacement....and now for a third time with an aftermarket one made with polyurthene insides....much better so far....been bout 10000 miles and still no play!!

trevor

 

I have the same problem but it also seems like there is a flat spot or sort of a high centered feel to it with the wheel in the straight ahead position. i haven't investigated the promlem too thougroughly yet though.

 

where did you order it? and how much was it?

 

I have a 2002 with same centered dead spot feeling. I replaced old style intermediate shaft with the newer version about four months ago. My truck has 57k miles now and I am noticing a dead spot or steering play in the wheel. Maybe 1" or so. More noticeable and more annoying at interstate speeds 70mph+. I don't think it is the intermediate shaft. I have heard it could be steering box, pitman arm, idler arm or power steering fluid needs changing. Anyone have experience of this for solving the problem?