Previously, I had started a thread as a way to assess and fix a 'groan' that was coming from under the dash. Then, when I noticed that the impact vibration through the steering wheel was back, I knew that the steering column intermediate shaft was going bad again.

The steering column intermediate shaft has been replaced twice before (15k miles & 35k miles) under warranty. Recently, I felt that the vehicle was doing the same thing as before, an impact vibration when going over a bump or making hard turns at slow speeds. Local dealer said that maybe Chevrolet might pay for a third repair, maybe not since it now has 72k miles on it.

Did a Google to see what part would need to be replaced and the degree of difficulty. Doing that, led me to YouTube videos how to replace the steering column intermediate shaft but even better, how to remove one end of it and pump it full of grease. Tried it and not only has it removed at least 80% of the impact vibrations, it's almost removed most of the groaning that was going on under the dash. Would have never guessed that the two issues were related.

Going to do it a second time in a week or so and live with that result until the steering column intermediate shaft actually goes out; maybe it won't and I'll just need to grease it every 15k miles. Seems like a design flaw though; a Zerk fitting would make this an easy 30-second maintenance item.


TO GREASE THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT:

Set the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.

Lock the steering wheel with the ignition steering lock on models that are 2001 and older vehicles.

2002 and later model year vehicles, there is no lock mechanism, so you must tie down the steering wheel so it can not move or rotate, otherwise, wring damage to the steering wheel buttons could be damaged. I used a motorcycle tie-down through the steering wheel and around the brake pedal.

From under the hood, remove the lower bolt that connects the upper intermediate shaft to the steering gear coupling shaft. - 15mm nut and bolt.

Slide the shaft towards the dash in order to disengage the shaft from the steering gear coupling shaft. This allows you to access a metal clip that is inside the shaft. (firewall-side of the shaft that you just disconnected.) I used a screw-driver to poke around and get the clip out; if I could have found my needle-nose pliers it would have gone a lot quicker and easier.

With the clip out you can now pump grease into the shaft. I had to remove the fitting on the end of my grease gun to feed the hose further up the inside of the shaft; but if you use a mini-grease gun that won't be necessary. I pulled the shaft down (extending it) towards the front of the vehicle, thus allowing me to pump as much grease as Ii could, but note that when you re-connect the intermediate shaft, you'll need to push up the intermediate shaft a little to get the fittings together and when you do this, some of the grease will squirt out from compressing the shaft length.

Once filled with grease, re-install the metal clip BEFORE re-connecting the steering shaft.

Make sure you reinstall the bolt and nut, and torque down. Not tightening it down properly would allow the bolt to eventually fall out and you'd have a total loss of steering control.

To make this a 30-second maintenance procedure, installing a Zerk would make a lot of sense but some might not want to drill a small hole into the steering shaft.

Here's a link to a great thread on REPLACING the steering column intermediate shaft, but you could use the starting procedures to just grease it. (Picture 2 and Picture 3)

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/tr.../photo-01.html