Annoying Steering Noise - Input Shaft Steering Seal

[finder9]

This is my first post and I'm not sure I'm in the right area. I have enjoyed reading the forum since I purchased a 2011 Tahoe five years ago. Essentially it has been trouble free until now and has 71k miles. There is a rubbing noise coming from the steering column area that occurs after I've been driving for a while. Only occurs at low speed maneuvering, ie, parking etc. Local Chevy dealer has diagnosed the noise as the "input shaft steering seal" making the noise.

Repair cost estimate is approximately $1,400.
$950 for remanufactured "steering rack".
Balance for labor and alignment.

Is there no other way to attack this other than their recommended fix?
A lot of bucks for a retired dude.
Of course the obvious answer is to do nothing but I figure the noise will just get worse over time.
Thanks for any advice or suggestions. I'll probably also take it to an independent mechanic I've known for a long time to take a look but wanted to take advantage of the vast knowledge on the forum.

Jack

 

[08HoeCD]

Interesting. I've been experiencing a mild squealing/squeaking noise at parking speeds from the steering column now and then, maybe 10% of the time that I'm maneuvering at low speeds---wonder if it's the same thing. If so, and if it costs that much to deal with it, I'm definitely going to just live with it.

 

[Jarhead123]

I have the same issue with my 2008 Tahoe. Did you ever resolve it?

 

[finder9]

Yep, had it repaired. Remanufactured steering rack that was about $900 and about $200 labor. No noise now.

 

[MichaelSE]

Interesting. I've been experiencing a mild squealing/squeaking noise at parking speeds from the steering column now and then, maybe 10% of the time that I'm maneuvering at low speeds---wonder if it's the same thing. If so, and if it costs that much to deal with it, I'm definitely going to just live with it.

I have the same issue with my 2008 Tahoe. Did you ever resolve it?

Before you try anything else, find the place where the shaft passes through the firewall. There will be a large rubber grommet around it, making a well that's about 2" deep.

Get some silicone lubricant spray (silicone because it won't degrade rubber like WD40), put on the straw, and spray it in there generously.

I had the same issue you are describing, and after scratching my head about it for weeks, I realized that it sounded a lot like rubber against metal. That's what led me to the firewall pass-thru. It fixed my noise, worth a try for yours to see if it goes away.

 

[sabasigh]

My 2010 Yukon has a noise basically @ the steering wheel. I think it's a clockspring. Same exact noise as in this video:

Have to get close to 30 secs in to really hear this guy's noise.

Was this similar to yours?

 

[finder9]

My 2010 Yukon has a noise basically @ the steering wheel. I think it's a clockspring. Same exact noise as in this video:

Have to get close to 30 secs in to really hear this guy's noise.

Was this similar to yours?

That was my noise. Didnt do It when cool. Had to wait a few minutes.

 

[sabasigh]

That was my noise. Didnt do It when cool. Had to wait a few minutes.

Yep mine doesn't do it when cold either. Dang, $1200 repair is rough.

 

[finder9]

Yep, I figured it would just get worse over time and the parts price would go up. I want to keep the car for a while so I invested.

 

[sabasigh]

I just bought my 2010 used w/92000 miles. Pretty clean, but just dropped $1300 in tires, tune up, alignment, battery. Another $800 in stereo. $250 in tint. Another $200 in detail coming up. Need to get the tranny, diffs, xfer case fluids changed...might as well have them do the steering as well. Ugh!

Hope this thing lasts.