Intermediate Shaft--Should I even bother?
 

My I.S. clunk is back--bigger and better than ever. I knew it would be back eventually; just did not know when. It had disappeared mysteriously somehow around the first of the year after I rotated my tires and had the car up in the air. I posted a previous topic about this.

Anywho, I stopped by the Pontiac dealer after work and he said it'd be about $100 to lube. I'm obviously not going to pay that as I like to do my own work but was curious to see what he had to say about it. He was honest when I asked if it was a waste of money to lube it and laughingly said yes.

So, with money out of the picture by doing it myself, my question is--should I even bother doing this if it is just going to keep returning? It is fairly annoying to me driving around town or I wouldn't even be considering it.

If I had to do it once per year or so to keep it from returning, I would consider that time well spent.

Thanks.

to do it yourself the lube kit is only right around $11. That's atleast what it said on the invoice when I had mine done on the Aurora last month. I'd say it's worth it.. It makes the car feel so much better to drive when the steering's not constantly thunking/grinding.

Re: Intermediate Shaft--Should I even bother?
 

thats wierd. I didnt catch your other post about it but now that you mention it.
I havent heard my clunk since about the time I switched my tires/rims as well.
Hmmmm


i've heard of others ( i think it was toastedoats who told me) just put some lube in there to quiet it down.

My decision has been to repair or replace the intermediate shaft on my car, and my friend's 2000 SSEi whenever there was a problem. I've been through 2 on mine - lasting about a year each time. You can lube it yourself using these instructions:

Remove the intermediate steering shaft from the vehicle and lubricate the shaft with a Steering Column Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098237. Follow the service procedure listed below.

1. Remove the steering intermediate shaft from the vehicle.
2. Fully extend the intermediate shaft by pulling the two shafts apart.
3. Apply the grease supplied in the Steering Column Shaft Lubrication Kit in the aluminum end of the yoke opening. Direct the syringe tip as deep as possible into the yoke and dispense the full content of the syringe.

4. Install the rubber stop plug from the Steering Column Shaft Lubrication kit into the yoke opening.
5. Secure the rubber plug by swinging the upper yoke 90°. One ear of the yoke should press the rubber plug in.

Important: Make sure the intermediate shaft is being pressed over the ears of the solid shaft.

6. Use a hard surface to ease the collapse of the intermediate shaft. It is best to use a pumping action when collapsing the shaft. Collapse the shaft as far as possible.
7. Remove the rubber stopper plug from the yoke end of the shaft.
8. Slowly extend the intermediate shaft apart.
9. Inspect the intermediate shaft for a minimum of 5 mm (0.2 in) (a) of grease on the shaft splines.
10. Repeat steps 4-9 if less than 5 mm (0.2 in) of grease is on the shaft splines.

Important: Before installing the intermediate shaft in the vehicle, make sure to stroke and extend the intermediate shaft at least 15 TIMES to completely lubricate the internal surface of the slip joint.

11. Reinstall the intermediate shaft into the vehicle.

I know many have had luck with this lube, but the problem with mine, and my friend's is the top aluminum U-joint binding. I have not removed the intermediate shaft from my friend's car yet. I have just oiled the top joint from underneath the dash. 30 weight motor oil has kept it going without any further work for about a year and a half now.

What's the time-frame for your average shade tree mechanic to perform this? Should I set apart a Saturday/Sunday or can it be done one night after work? I'll have a friend helping out.

Pulling the shaft and replacing it should be at most a couple of hour job. I wouldn't think the lube would take very long. The only caution is to make certain that the steering wheel stays put, or you could destroy some of the sensors.

Wow, check this out. I've been looking for some instructions with illustrations. Does this seem to be the correct procedure? I noticed he took the wheel off and kind of worked from below on part of the removal. Seems like he knows what he's doing.

http://www.colinkraft.com/shaft.php

archon-

I lubed my intermediate shaft too, but the internal splines were free and slippery. It DID appear though that the problem was in the top joint, not the slip joint. Anyway my lube, by the book, did no good at all. I/m going to try the oil lube from under the dash.

The lube process is right, but removing the shaft portion is different. The top U-joint on our cars is different also.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/archon...31.jpg&.src=ph

The upper joint slips into a sleeve in the steering column. Where it bolts through is just above where he mentioned and is inside a solid rubber sleeve. The dealer's fix is to slit that sleeve as well as the lower "wire loom" type he talks about. The lower connection is as shown in his, but can easily be reached from above. There will be a whiteish rubber boot on top of the steering rack that has be be pushed back. Once the pinch bolt was loosened, it easily slipped off without whacking it with anything.

Compyelc4 - Good luck...I hope it works for you, too. You may not see immediate relief, as it seems to take a couple of days for the oil to work through whatever is binding up there.

Sounds good. Called my Pontiac dealer and they've got "several" lube kits in stock (imagine that!) for $11.50--he pretty much rattled the P/N right off the top of his head as I was staring at the same thing on gmpartsdirect. Going to give it a go next weekend. I'll post my results.

Thanks.