Well I just got the call that my new shaft is in and the
dealership is installing it on tuesday,,,,free of charge.
I also talked them into programming a new remote I
have for my 01,,,again FREE of charge!!!!
I will update you all wedsnday.

Got a couple of test drives in this evening, and sure enough, it drives smooth as silk, just like new !! (sure hope it lasts,,, :? )

Looking back through the replies by jmp417 and Jim Salvo on the other thread, I certainly have to agree with both. I 100% believe that the part I took out is IDENTICAL in every way, and just as good as the new part I put in. But having the new part on hand, I sure wan't going to take any chances.

Anyway, I did wash out all the OEM grease with parts solvent, and repacked it with with very thick, high temp "disk brake grease." And just like others before me, I'll bet that is the whole secret.

I found that the technical service bulletin on the Impala Headquarters was totally helpful, and illustrated and described the procedure exactly. -including using pressure to force the new grease thoroughly into the splines. (I had to improvise my own plug)
:? T I M E W I L L T E L L

Just got my 01 back with the new shaft, and it
drives new again.....best part was NO CHARGE !!!!
I LOVE MY DEALER........

madapple, "Way to Go !!"

Now we will have to see how long the "new feeling" lasts. If anything changes, be sure to let us know.

*** I had told the gent two articles above in this section of the forum just pull the part out and use heavy good grease and the problem disappears. See the article I had submitted on this subject about page 9 of this section uner "Intermediate Shaft Recall" written by compyelc4 on wed Nov 3 2004 for a step by step on how to do the job. Mine still works fine at 70,000 miles and counting. Remember to clean and grease each u joint as well and work the gease in until the u joints are smooth.
Jim

Jim, it seems to me that you have proven to us all that the "real problem" lies with the grease itself. -like I say, I swear that there is absolutely no difference in the part I took out, and the one I put in. -even though they carry different part numbers.

I thought the technical bulletin on the ImpalaHQ site explained it well, I think they called it something like "a stick/slip condition". And to me, that is exactly the kind of thing that would be caused by the wrong or inadequate grease.

Anyway, several of us have tried a combination of fixes on this problem, so time will tell which ones work out

Harry