SteeringModel years 2000–2006Manufacturer
Steering intermediate shaft clunk
NHTSA's index of GM bulletin 00-02-35-003N lists GMC Yukon and Yukon XL 2000-2006. Only NHTSA's one-line summaries are held; the bulletin text was not available.
FaultCrate・Steering intermediate shaft clunk
A clunking noise under the hood that can be felt in the steering wheel and/or steering column.
Intermediate steering shaft clunk noise or stick-slip.
The condition may be more noticeable when turning at low speeds on rough road surfaces.
What to do
- When properly lubricated, there should be 13 mm (1/2 inch) of grease showing on the shaft splines.
- Replace the upper intermediate steering shaft assembly.
- There are significant differences between the car and truck procedures: the lubricant is applied to a different part of the steering system and uses a different lubrication kit, 26098419.
- On the affected trucks, remove the intermediate steering shaft from the vehicle and remove the spacer clip.
- Apply the contents of the syringe supplied with the kit into the open end of the fully-extended intermediate shaft.
- Insert the plug into the opening and tighten the wing nut.
- With the plugged end of the shaft on a hard surface, compress the shaft to dissipate the grease.
- The "Do This" column says to lube the I-Shaft.
Part numbers printed in the document
26098419Lubricant, Intermediate Steering ShaftLook up at RockAuto (aftermarket candidates) ↗Search the web ↗
Discontinued (no successor stated)as stated by GMPartsGiant (checked 2026-10-06) ↗
The numbers are as the document prints them. The name and the replacing number are what the pages of GMPartsGiant, a reseller of genuine parts and not GM, state. Aftermarket equivalents are not checked here (the links only search by number). Confirm the fit for the vehicle (VIN) before ordering.
In the records
- Intermediate Steering Shaft: replaced 4（says it came back: 1, says it did not fix it: 1, result not stated: 1）
- Front Suspension Cross Member Bolt: adjusted 1（says it came back: 1）
- Front Suspension Cross Member Bolt: repaired 1（says it came back: 1）
- Radiator Support: repaired 1（result not stated: 1）
Applies to
- The condition is covered in bulletin 00-02-35-003A and applies to 1999-2002 C/K pickup and utility models with recirculating ball steering.
See the evidence (4 documents, 12 passages)
| Document | Publisher | Date |
|---|---|---|
| [1]Clunking noise under hood felt in steering wheel/column (replace upper intermediate steering shaft) ↗ | ManufacturerNHTSA manufacturer-communications index (NHTSA's one-line summary of a GM bulletin; not the bulletin text) | 2008-04-01 |
| [2]EI05061 Intermediate steering shaft clunk noise or stick-slip ↗ | ManufacturerNHTSA manufacturer-communications index (NHTSA's one-line summary of a GM bulletin; not the bulletin text) | 2006-02-01 |
| [3]GM TechLink, April 2002 ↗ | ManufacturerGeneral Motors | 2002-04-01 |
| [4]GM TechLink, September 2003 ↗ | ManufacturerGeneral Motors | 2003-09-01 |
First signsA clunking noise under the hood that can be felt in the steering wheel and/or steering column.
CLUNKING NOISE UNDER HOOD AND CAN BE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL AND/OR STEERING COLUMN— [1]
RepairReplace the upper intermediate steering shaft assembly.
(REPLACE UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT [I-SHAFT] ASSEMBLY)— [1]
First signsIntermediate steering shaft clunk noise or stick-slip.
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT CLUNK NOISE OR STICK-SLIP (FOLLOW STRATEGY BASED DIAGNOSTICS).— [2]
Applies toThe condition is covered in bulletin 00-02-35-003A and applies to 1999-2002 C/K pickup and utility models with recirculating ball steering.
The condition covered here is found in bulletin 00-02-35-003A, and applies to 1999- 2002 C/K pickup and utility models with recirculating ball steering.— [3]
First signsThe condition may be more noticeable when turning at low speeds on rough road surfaces.
The conditions may be more noticeable when turning at low speeds on rough road surfaces.— [3]
How to confirmWhen properly lubricated, there should be 13 mm (1/2 inch) of grease showing on the shaft splines.
When properly lubricated, there should be 13 mm (1/2 inch) of grease showing on the shaft splines.— [3]
RepairThere are significant differences between the car and truck procedures: the lubricant is applied to a different part of the steering system and uses a different lubrication kit, 26098419.
There are significant differences between the car and truck procedures. The lubricant needed to address the condition is applied to a different part of the steering system and utilizes a different lubrication kit, 26098419.— [3]
RepairOn the affected trucks, remove the intermediate steering shaft from the vehicle and remove the spacer clip.
On the affected trucks, remove the intermediate steering shaft from the vehicle and remove the spacer clip.— [3]
RepairApply the contents of the syringe supplied with the kit into the open end of the fully-extended intermediate shaft.
Then apply the contents of the syringe supplied with the kit into the open end of the fully-extended intermediate shaft.— [3]
RepairInsert the plug into the opening and tighten the wing nut.
Insert the plug into the opening and tighten the wing nut.— [3]
RepairWith the plugged end of the shaft on a hard surface, compress the shaft to dissipate the grease.
With the plugged end of the shaft on a hard surface, compress the shaft to dissipate the grease.— [3]
RepairThe "Do This" column says to lube the I-Shaft.
Fullsize Pickups and Utilities, Midsize Utilities – Noise on Steering Lube I-Shaft— [4]
Put together by FaultCrate from public records and technical documents. The cause and the repair are for the workshop to decide with the vehicle in front of it. Counts are records, not failure rates.
Records under this issue 16
Owner complaint 12Manufacturer communication 4
Look into the records of this issue (16)List the records (16 that can be opened)
Records whose recall number, document number or text matches. Each line says why it matched.
- Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft Clunking NoiseManufacturer communication 2008-07-14・document number matches
- Noise on steering: lubricate the intermediate shaft instead of replacing itManufacturer communication 2003-09-01・document number matches
- Clunk under the hood felt in the steering wheel: lubricate the intermediate steering shaftManufacturer communication 2002-04-01・document number matches
- Clunk under the hood felt in the steering wheel (bulletin 00-02-35-003)Manufacturer communication 2000-08-01・text contains "Intermediate Steering Shaft"
- Steering rattle in new vehicleOwner complaint 2013-08-25・text contains "REGREASED THE STEERING SHAFT"
- Constant vibration and knocking/rattling noise in steering column/shaftOwner complaint 2012-02-11・tied by reading the record: “YUKON XL HAS A CONSTANT VIBRATION, KNOCKING/RATTLING NOISE, THAT IS FELT IN THE STEERING COLUMN/SHAFT. GMC IS AND HAS BEEN AWARE OF FAULTY STEERING SHAFTS AND WILL NOT PAY FOR REPLACEMENT IF YOUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY.”
- Squeaking and clunking in steering when turning, and moreOwner complaint 2010-05-21・tied by reading the record: “WITH JUST ONE OF THE MANY CONCERNS, THE SQUEAKING, CLUNKING LOCKING STEERING, WHEN TURNING: SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 01863, NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10006616.”
- Knocking noise and clunk from front during tight turns in reverseOwner complaint 2010-01-07・tied by reading the record: “KNOCKING NOISE IS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND IS FELT AS A "CLUNK" THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL.”
- Clunking noise in steering columnOwner complaint 2009-12-31・text contains "CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING"
- 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 intermediate steering section clunking and loose steeringOwner complaint 2009-03-03・tied by reading the record: “CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SECTION MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND AND AS THE SOUND GETS WORSE, THE STEERING BECOMES LOOSE.”
- Loud popping or clicking sound during turns, recurring at multiple mileagesOwner complaint 2008-07-08・text contains "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT"
- Clunking noise when steering wheel is turned during slow maneuvers or over rough roadsOwner complaint 2007-08-17・text contains "CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STEERING"
- Intermediate steering shaft play and hesitation when turning; clunking soundOwner complaint 2005-12-14・text contains "INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT"
- Steering column thumping/popping noise and front tire wear since newOwner complaint 2005-08-04・text contains "INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT"
- Steering knocking sound and difficult steering wheel turningOwner complaint 2005-06-20・tied by reading the record: “THE STEERING IS HAVING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TURNING, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO EVEN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.”
- Steering noise and transmission clunking, window regulator failure, transmission fluid leakOwner complaint 2005-03-07・text contains "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT"