I drove the GXP for the first time in a couple of weeks (wife'* car) and felt a clunk during sharp turns at low speeds. It sounds/feels like the steering intermediate shaft to me. I have an appointment on Tuesday to have the car looked at. I know this is a problem with these cars, but I didn't think mine would go out at only 4500 miles. Any comments?

2 comments.

1. That REALLY sucks. Especially at 4500.
2. STICK TO YOUR GUNS. Do NOT allow a temporary fix of any kind. Make sure you know how many cars are afflicted, and how useless temporary fixes are. Have them replace it and over-grease the new one liberally.

I've mentioned this before. I've had that shaft replaced twice on my 04 GXP once at 4500 and again at 9800. Called the service center and they don't have a lot of input on this problem. Had to replace that shaft on my 2001 ssei but that was at 32,000 miles.

It sounds like GM has a fundamentally bad design with the intermediate shaft, and since these cars are discontinued, they don't plan on issuing a revised part that fixes the problem. If a part fails 3 or more times within the warranty period, does that come under the lemon law? I don't want to turn my car back in, but would use it as a threat if need to get a permanent fix.

I haven't heard of this being a saftey issue from anyone who has had this problem. Am I correct in assuming it'* not? Thanks for your replies.

I just brought in my 05 GXP with 5700 miles in with the same problem. The dealer installed a new intermiediate steering shaft with what they claim was an updated part. I will probably be back in 6 months to have it replaced again. It only took one and a half hours to complete the work, including an oil change.

I'm curious if this is a safety issue as well?
.... my steering shaft is clunking more every day.... (51,000 miles on my '04)

Just noticed the same issue on my 05 with 6K on the odometer. Off to the dealer again.

My dealer replaced the intermediate shaft. The click is now gone, but I don't know for how long. However, they scratched and dented my "B" pillar window trim, so I have to take the car back and make them fix it. I hate it the d*mn dealership damages the car when they supposed to be fixing it!

Same here - intermediate shaft on an 04 GXP @ 19K miles.

Now I need front brakes and the rotors need to be turned. Huh? I drive 70 highway miles a day, and that'sa about it - no stop and go city driving and I need brakes at 22K miles?

Same here at 6000 mi. There is a TSB, Bullentin NO:04-02-35-004C. Date 12-02-2004