2015 Tahoe..Grinding in steering column

[DocHolliday]

Yet another problem with the 2015 Tahoe. I was feeling a horrible grinding when I turned the steering wheel Mostly when I turned left but occasionally when turning right as well. Felt like I was turning the wheel on a gravel road while not moving, then would break free and turn fine. Brought to the dealer for that (and other things) and they said there was a bulletin out about a bolt that works its way loose on the steering shaft. they replaced the shaft and did something with the bolt but according to the advisor I'm not the first this has happened to. Anyone else?

 

[PRgal143]

We purchased a 2015 Yukon Denali in Dec and I had the same thing right off the bat and then at 200 miles it had a transfer case issue which was a part of some recall. After I got it back it still made the grinding noise only when I turned it tight to the left. I called a few times and they claimed it was normal and I shouldn't turn it so tightly (sometimes that can't be avoided ie, pulling into parking spaces, unparallel parking etc...). I feel like it has gotten worse so I am finally taking it in on Monday. I hope it is nothing major! It is embarrassing to have a brand new $75k vehicle that makes a loud noise when you pull into a parking spot...people look! Pretty sure that isn't "normal". They make me sound like I am crazy and not used to 4WD vehicles since I turned in a car with AWD, but I had a 2007 Tahoe and it never did that and my husband has a 2014 F-150 and his doesn't do it either so it can't be "normal" for a 4WD vehicle, despite this happening regardless of being in 2WD or 4WD. It is making me hate this car!!!

 

[Telebatte]

Steering columns emplaned due to clicking noise

My 2015 Tahoe steering column was replaced due to a clicking noise when I turn the wheel. They replaced it and unfortunately I was just out of mileage warranty. So Cha ching$$. It took 15 days for them to fix it and get it right. A week after getting car back, I put car into reverse and steering column locked up and said lock on drivers display dash. I put it into park and steering column lock disappeared. Proceeded to put it back into gear and it locked up again displaying so. My car is at Chevy again for repair. I have owned at least 15 chevy trucks and Tahoe since 2006 due to business and I am not pleased with the 2015 Tahoe and am hesitant on upgrading my work trucks to the new body style due to all the issues and safety issues with the Tahoe. I called GM and complained and got a case number and I called National highway safety patrol which I recommend you do too so they can recall this unsafe crap. The noise happen for a while before I brought it in thinking it was nothing. How can a new car have so many issues. I have issues with the ac working when it wants on first start and they can't find the problem at the dealership with that one.i am very disappointed in Chevy and I fear for my family's safety in this Tahoe.

 

[cs15dah]

I think I’m having the same issue as the original poster. Only when turning left. And it seems to only happen when letting pressure off the brakes. Such as turning tightly into a parking space or pulling into a driveway.

The clicking, or popping, in the steering wheel that some people are reporting appears to be an entirely different problem.

 

[cs15dah]

I think my problem is two-fold. Maybe related, maybe not.

First issue, when turning the wheel left, I hear this grinding or metal on metal rubbing noise. I don't hear it turning right. Found a video on YouTube which appears to be the problem I face:

The second issue is, when turning left, in conjunction with that sound it also feels like I lose a bit of power steering. It's most noticeable when I apply brakes, then slowly let off brake pressure as I'm turning. And as I release all brake pressure the steering appears to feel normal again.

 

[Tahoe14]

Did you do a google search? There is a recall for 2015 Gm trucks and SUVs in reference to temporary steering loss. There may be something for the grinding noise also. I think there was a bearing that needed to be replaced. It may have been a TSB and it showed the part number and how to replace the part. Good luck.

 

[cs15dah]

1) Google is one of the reasons I’m here. And, how I found that video.

2) The recall for temp steering loss is a separate issue. Already had that accomplished a year ago, even though my vehicle never exhibited any symptoms that others have described, nearly crashing into something because the brakes were slow to be hydroelectrically augmented. (Power brakes no worky...)

3) The TSB for bearings is a separate issue. Actually had the dealer cover it through the aftermarket warranty. It didn’t pop often, but since I was already in the shop for something else, they went ahead and got the pre-approval from the warranty and had the work done.

The dealership and the aftermarket warranty company have been phenomenal. Both have been very good to troubleshoot and cover my other repairs. Unfortunately, this grinding sound has thus far eluded them...

 

[Tahoe14]

Have they talked about replacing the whole steering column? I believe I read where several had the column replaced. Don"t remember if it fixed their issue. I will look some more and see if I can find anything. I know on my Google search there were complaints with the NHTSA with different symptoms described. There were a few hundred so it may take some research.

 

[cs15dah]

I haven’t found a credible post which said the whole column fixed the popping. That’s the only reference for replacing the column. Most report replacing the bearings, but the problem soon returned. A few posts said their dealer replaced the entire column, but the problem also returned. There were a few posts which said they had the bearings/column replaced, but zero follow up posts, so can’t substantially say their problem was indeed fixed.

Zero posts about the grinding issue I face. Just this thread, and the YouTube video.

I’d definitely be interested if you come across any info on the grinding issue. I’m out of ideas, and have seen what’s on the search results pages, when you’re 20 pages deep. Heck, I don’t think I’ve ever exceeded page 2, or maybe page 3, before this issue...

 

[Tahoe14]

I feel your pain as I had to Lemon Law an early build 2015 Tahoe in Florida. The bearing as you already researched PIT 5312 refers to grind, pop, bind which is a GM bulletin so I assume someone or possibly more complained about all three noises at some point. But you are right about no specific post complaining of the grind noise with a fix but mostly the pop with the bearing replacement fix. I know GM also had issues with the intermediate steering shafts also causing noise as the lubricant dried up. I have had about 10 Tahoes starting with 2001 so have experienced some of the problems. I am out of ideas at this point. Not sure if you had any grinding before the bearing replacement and if it fixed it temporarily. The part may have gone bad again. I think there is some sort of sound scope Dealers use to isolate noise complaints that can be hooked up and try to determine where the noise is coming from. Hope you get it figured out as this stuff will drive you crazy and the most important question, is it safety related and cause for concern for you and your family.