lower steering shaft worn out ?

[clemenshess97]

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone has had to replace the lower steering shaft on a 03 Tahoe. I feel like the joints are worn out...when I grab the lower steering shaft I feel looseness towards the lower part of the shaft, where it connects to the steering gearbox. I have already replaced the upper shaft that goes through the firewall, I also did tie rods, tied rod ends, pitman arm, upper control arm, sway bar links and bushings, shocks and idler arm. A year ago I made a small adjustment (about a 1/4 turn) to the steering gear adjustment bolt.
The steering itself is pretty good, it doesn't feel very loose, but sometimes when coming to a stop it feels like a pop in the steering wheel and same when driving on old cobbled roads (very common here), but then the truck also makes noises from the front as if something is loose.
The wheel bearings and lower control arm joints were checked, they are still good, therefore they haven't been replaced so far.

I couldn't find much info about the lower steering shaft going bad...so I am not sure if that's the culprit...but it's the only part I know that has some play in it.


...Considering the parts price for the lower shaft + shipping + tax, I'd like to know what you guys think

 

[exp500]

Might be abble to put a big wrench on coupler to hold it, then rock steering wheel. That eliminates steering gear feel. Could also be lower column bearing worn. Alot of those changed here.

 

[clemenshess97]

Might be abble to put a big wrench on coupler to hold it, then rock steering wheel. That eliminates steering gear feel. Could also be lower column bearing worn. Alot of those changed here.

is the lower column bearing the green one where the upper steering shaft goes into the column ? I replaced that already

 

[exp500]

Sounds like you found the problem!

 

[OR VietVet]

On my 05 Z71 I was feeling some intermittent rattle/clunk in the steering column and did the lower shaft, problem solved. I was doing the steering gear at the same time and know that was not the source of the feel.

 

[clemenshess97]

thanks guys!

I'll go ahead and order the shaft, might as well order some other parts too since that saves some money for shipping.



PS: I really love my Tahoe but owning one overseas can hurt sometimes (I have parts worth 230$ in my cart at Rockauto...but adding shipping to Germany and taxes it turns into 400$)
...you really have to love these trucks

 

[clemenshess97]

Parts arrived on Wednesday and I installed them on Thursday.
Unfortunately I only noticed with the lower steering shaft removed, that the play was not coming from the shaft but from the pinion (?) that it attaches to at the steering gearbox…

Is there a bearing that can go bad or is there a chance to fix this by tightening the gearbox ?



Nothing has changed with the new steering shaft installed, it still has the popping feeling to it when coming to a stop or when hitting potholes or driving on a cobbled road

 

[exp500]

Steering gears a well known problem on this vintage, Why I suggested wrench.
To remove play, if possible its not worn out, You willl need to loosen lock nut 1/2 turn or so, tighten center screw 1/8 turn at a time with engine running so your box stays off pressure while still centered. Each box different as how many times this can be done. You are really moving tray that guides balls until it is too tight. Just try to remove play. Good Luck.

 

[ivin74]

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone has had to replace the lower steering shaft on a 03 Tahoe. I feel like the joints are worn out...when I grab the lower steering shaft I feel looseness towards the lower part of the shaft, where it connects to the steering gearbox. I have already replaced the upper shaft that goes through the firewall, I also did tie rods, tied rod ends, pitman arm, upper control arm, sway bar links and bushings, shocks and idler arm. A year ago I made a small adjustment (about a 1/4 turn) to the steering gear adjustment bolt.
The steering itself is pretty good, it doesn't feel very loose, but sometimes when coming to a stop it feels like a pop in the steering wheel and same when driving on old cobbled roads (very common here), but then the truck also makes noises from the front as if something is loose.
The wheel bearings and lower control arm joints were checked, they are still good, therefore they haven't been replaced so far.

I couldn't find much info about the lower steering shaft going bad...so I am not sure if that's the culprit...but it's the only part I know that has some play in it.


...Considering the parts price for the lower shaft + shipping + tax, I'd like to know what you guys think

Has the steering box ever been changed out? Try adjusting it and if the play does not come out, you need to replace it. The only steering boxes I would buy would be oem, blue top or red top. Anything other than that is junk.