steering column bearing

[trashygasman]

has anyone changed out the bearing that rattles in the upper steering column? if it's easy enough, i'd rather do it myself than mess with the dealership.

 

[CtChevy427]

I think the rattle comes from the lower bearing. Check out post #4.

http://www.dieseltowingresource.com/showthread.php?t=2890

I used the hose clamp trick to get rid of my rattle.

 

[t2ch]

What size hose clamp? Can you elaborate on the procedure? I think my yukon and my truck are starting to rattle.

 

[trashygasman]

thanks for the info. i'll get me a new bearing next week.

 

[DieselCash]

What size hose clamp? Can you elaborate on the procedure? I think my yukon and my truck are starting to rattle.

Has anybody posted about this or a DIY?

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Hose Clamp Fix

I think the rattle comes from the lower bearing. Check out post #4.

http://www.dieseltowingresource.com/showthread.php?t=2890

I used the hose clamp trick to get rid of my rattle.

X2. It takes care of about 90-95% of the problem.

 

[DieselCash]

Does anybody have pictures on how to do this or the clamp installed. I do not fully understand how all this works. The clunking on the Tahoe is starting to drive me nuts.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

2 inch clamp fix

Just get about a 2 inch hose clamp or muffler clamp, and undo the clamp. Wrap it around the white plastic bushing and the metal steering column (half on the plastic and half on the metal steering column) and tighten it up. Just be sure the plastic bushing is in its proper place. It only goes in one way, as it has a keyhole. I used the hose clamp. Some say the newer green bushing with needle bearings instead of ball bearings works better.

Photo Courtesy of ChevyJeff

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Green Needle Bearing Bushing

Green Needle Bearing Bushing (88963617 - "Lower Steering Shaft Bearing")

Photo Courtesy of RCH

 

[DieselCash]

Thank you RI! :thumbsup:

 

[DieselCash]

Ok, the steering column looks different on my Tahoe than on the picture you provided. My plastic thing is already blue and has an electric connector on it. Here is some pics. My questions is am I in the right area? Were do I put the c clamp on this?

 

[stacks04]

the bearing is similar, but your tahoe has a steering wheel position sensor for emergency handling ect. same procedure only tougher because the swps has little fingers to keep it tight on the coulumn and they are a pain in the arse to get off.

 

[DieselCash]

Will the c-clamp still work? Our would I be better of replacing the bad bearing?

 

[t2ch]

I think the rattle comes from the ISS itself. I replaced the ISS and the bearing in my truck and there is no rattle at all now. My Yukon looks the same as yours Cash and I have not replaced it as of yet but it is on the list.

If you are going to replace the bearing you might as well do the ISS too. You will be half way there to replace the bearing anyway. I paid $62.00 from my dealer for the shaft.

I thought the old style ISS lost the grease and therefore rattled. The new ones are supposed to have a seal so the grease does not leak out.

Time will tell i guess.

Big tip: Do not let the steering wheel turn while changing either one of these out. The clock spring behind the steeiring wheel is expensive.

 

[stacks04]

the bearing on those is alot harder to do. if you can position the gear drive on the clamp so it doesnt interfere i'd try it first.

 

[grvj]

A slick way to install the steering column bushing when the intermediate shaft is removed and old bush removed, is to insert the new bushing as far as it will go (mine stopped solid with an inch left) use a 1 1/8 deep socket and about a 12" extension -pass through the firewall boot and in the engine compartment simply drive the bush home.

Struggled with trying to insert bush by hand, used all the YouTube tricks I could find with no success.

The socket method was under 5 minutes.