Steering Wheel column rattle/thumping?

[1Coyote]

I have 1200 miles on my H3. Suddenly I'm getting a rattle/thumping from the steering column. I've done a search on this and found a few who mentioned the same problem with their dealers not figuring out the issue, but have seen no follow-up or solution. If anyone has any info it would be appreciated.

1Coyote

[H3telcobilly]

This seems like a widespread GM problem, my '07 H3 and wife's '04 Suburban do it. Her vehicle does it all of the time, mine does it infrequently. I will pursue warranty remedies soon, but I hear GM does not have enough steering shafts to keep up with the claims...

Read this:
http://www.chevroletforum.com/m_3646/tm.htm

[1Coyote]

I also can feel and hear the "thumping"? in the brake pedal. You mentioned the steering shaft...has this been detemined to be the problem?

1Coyote

[FISH5337]

I am having the same problem. I had the same problem on my '03 Duramax.
the dealership is telling me there is a bushing where the steering shafts go together, and there is grease filled into that area. the grease works its self out then you get the noise. I've found I have the noise when I hit bumps, braking, and when I take off from a stop. The dealership also told me that GM is redisgning the steering shaft thats why we are not able to get them. The dealer said no safety concerns just annonying noise.

[stagger_lee]

I have 1200 miles on my H3. Suddenly I'm getting a rattle/thumping from the steering column. I've done a search on this and found a few who mentioned the same problem with their dealers not figuring out the issue, but have seen no follow-up or solution. If anyone has any info it would be appreciated.

1Coyote
Sounds like similar problem as mine
Solution:

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27781

[1Coyote]

It does not happen when turning hard...is not constant and seems to happen after a bit of driving. Can hear a thumping noise can feel it in the steering column and the brake pedal...still sound the same?

1Coyote

[Stevenblanca]

Had the same problem. Mine had a steering shaft problem:

To diagnose:

- Center steering wheel and wheels.
- Turn the motor off so you won't have steering assist.
- Have someone (wife or next door chick) to wiggle the steering wheel left and right. just very short movements.
- you should hear a clunk with every wiggle.
- Get under the car and locate the clunk it should be on the steering shaft on one of the 2 cross joints. Mine clunked at the lower joint. If you grab the shaft just before one of the joints with a bit of pulling force and it stops clunking you have located the joint that caused the clunk.

Exito !

[fourfourto]

Have someone (wife or next door chick) to wiggle the steering wheel left and right. just very short movements.
- you should hear a clunk with every wiggle.

Gotta post pic or video of that so we can see them wiggle :dancingbanana: :jump: :dancingbanana:

[Steve - SanJose]

Have someone (wife or next door chick) to wiggle the steering wheel left and right. just very short movements.
- you should hear a clunk with every wiggle.

Gotta post pic or video of that so we can see them wiggle :dancingbanana: :jump: :dancingbanana:

Then what?:popcorn:

[stagger_lee]

It does not happen when turning hard...is not constant and seems to happen after a bit of driving. Can hear a thumping noise can feel it in the steering column and the brake pedal...still sound the same?

1Coyote

nope. Good luck with that. Keep us posted. :beerchug:

[fourfourto]

Then what?:popcorn:

Then we admire the boobies wiggling :eek: :rolleyes: :shhh:

[Steve - SanJose]

Then we admire the boobies wiggling :eek: :rolleyes: :shhh:

That's a given.:) http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif But what do we do (if anything) to get it fixed while in warranty?

[FISH5337]

Hummer is going to cover mine under warranty. They no they have a problem. Just minutes ago got off phone with dealership. They said that engineering is still working on the problem and it would be a couple of weeks til new parts are ready.

[ChiHummer3]

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like my sterring column is making the same noises too. I noticed popping sensation from the brake pedal a few weeks ago - but stopped paying attention to that when I noticed the popping from the steering column when going over fairloy small bumps on the road.

Guess it's another trip to the dealership again. :(

[1Coyote]

Can you tell me who your dealership is and where they are located? I would like to be able to refer them to my dealership...so rare that a dealership actually knows what is going on.

1Coyote




Hummer is going to cover mine under warranty. They no they have a problem. Just minutes ago got off phone with dealership. They said that engineering is still working on the problem and it would be a couple of weeks til new parts are ready.

[Stevenblanca]

The idea is to fix the truck. Not j** off. You perverts

:jump:

[Steve - SanJose]

Hummer is going to cover mine under warranty. They no they have a problem. Just minutes ago got off phone with dealership. They said that engineering is still working on the problem and it would be a couple of weeks til new parts are ready.

Interesting. My H3 has creaking with occassional slight popping noise at slow speeds.

FISH5337 - Please keep us informed with the progress/fix on your rig.

[HumbleAg]

Add me to the list with this issue. The 2007 has 3900 miles and has doing this since I got it. Haven't taken it back yet, but sounds like waiting until there is a true fix would be best anyway.

Never had this issue with the 2006.

Not really a big deal, but noises that shouldn't be there do annoy me.

:(

[joedirt]

Finally, I'm able to rest. Took mine to a different dealer and diagnosed the problem instantly. The last dealer tried to give me the run around, saying that I have no problem, and that it is just the H3. I told them to kiss my ass, that it is a problem with the steering and pedals. So, I took it to a dealer closer to me in the Houston area and he hooked me up within 15 minutes. The steering problem is due to the steering shaft design. The steering shaft must be made to compress upon impact on front end collisions. There is just enough slack between the two peices to raddle the column, gas and brake. The problem would arise suddonly and abruptly, usually on hot days. GM is reengineering the design, but has not released the part. The dealer put me on the list. The dealer did say that he has seen many of these steering problems on the H3 even on the lot...too common.

Problem 2 was the "clunk clunk" I have been hearing when driving in and around town. The last dealer replaced the transfer case , but that did not fix the problem. The new dealer said that it is a transfer case bearing or gear causing the noise. They will be getting a new one for me in the next couple days. He said GM wants them to install a brand new transfer case for these issues and to ship the old cases back for design changes.

[tomp]

both my H3 & H2 do it.

My 2001 2500HD also did it...

[1Coyote]

Thank you to everyones contributions, this gives us all of the information we need to convey to an ignorant dealer for the fix.

1Coyote



Finally, I'm able to rest. Took mine to a different dealer and diagnosed the problem instantly. The last dealer tried to give me the run around, saying that I have no problem, and that it is just the H3. I told them to kiss my ass, that it is a problem with the steering and pedals. So, I took it to a dealer closer to me in the Houston area and he hooked me up within 15 minutes. The steering problem is due to the steering shaft design. The steering shaft must be made to compress upon impact on front end collisions. There is just enough slack between the two peices to raddle the column, gas and brake. The problem would arise suddonly and abruptly, usually on hot days. GM is reengineering the design, but has not released the part. The dealer put me on the list. The dealer did say that he has seen many of these steering problems on the H3 even on the lot...too common.

Problem 2 was the "clunk clunk" I have been hearing when driving in and around town. The last dealer replaced the transfer case , but that did not fix the problem. The new dealer said that it is a transfer case bearing or gear causing the noise. They will be getting a new one for me in the next couple days. He said GM wants them to install a brand new transfer case for these issues and to ship the old cases back for design changes.

[FISH5337]

NEW STEERING SHAFT IS IN! Just got back from dealership, and all is quiet. It took about 2 hours to get installed. the bushing on the bolt was crushed and allowing shaft to have play. It's know time to head to the shore. and give it a work out on road and maybe offroad a little. please let me know how you guys make out with your new shafts. thanks for all the help over the past couple of months when we were trying to figure this out.

[partsguy]

They have been a bugger to get,uppr shaft that is,

too hot to go to the shore though!(enjoy yourself)

[HBH3]

Well, add me to the list. I just started to notice mine after a long trip to Baja Sur and about 400 miles of high speed dirt roads. I'm gald to hear it is not a risk issue and that there is a fix. It is anoying as hell though especialy on a manual since the truck jerks more so than an auto...

[MarineHawk]

Wife just bought an 07 H3 on Monday. Noticed weird popping feeling in the brakes. Dealer immediately diagnosed it as the steering shaft issue. Replacing it on Monday.