new steering shaft

[MrT]

I finally bought a new steering shaft to replace the old stock one in my 2002 sle. Will get to install it next week. The new shaft is a very different design than the old one.

For those that have replaced their shafts, did this result in a very different steering feel? After I have lubed the old shaft, not only is the glunk gone but the steering feel is greatly improved. Just wondering if I should expect a similar improvement in steering feel with the new shaft.

Thanks.

[nos4blood70]

If the clunk is gone, why are you replacing the shaft? Or did it just get better?

When you greased it did you take everything apart? Or did you just cut the boot open and inject some grease?

I have to get around to doing this soon, my steering feels awful. I can feel weird vibes and a sort of looseness in the steering wheel over bumps.

[MrT]

The main reason that I am replacing the shaft is that I got tired of lubing the old one. When I do the lube, I just inject some grease. The boot was already cut when I bought the car.

Another reason is that I have read on other GM sites that the new design results in a significant improvement in steering feel, that looseness feeling is gone. One person with an Impala told me that his steering feels like new.

At my age (60), every time that I lubed the shaft, it is a pain in the **#@!!! including my back and neck!!! So I am going to replace and have it done with!!!! Dorman makes the part and I paid $100 which included shipping. I figure that this is probably the least expensive way to get a potential large improvement in steering feel assuming that the rest of your front end is in good condition.

I will report on the experience when I get to the shaft install!!!

[walnut777]

I replaced mine with the Dorman replacement and yes the steering does feel like a new car. Im not sure what feelsdifferent but it just seems like the steering is tight and responsive. I also noticed that when I installed my new steering shaft that there was play at the bearing in the steering column that the shaft slides into. Well, I actually noticed it before I installed the new shaft. I found a GM service bulletin about that bearing going bad. I have no intention of trying to fix it. I did see on here somewhere where a member took a piece from a strut and cut it slid it tight against the bearing and clamped it down and that solved the problem.
I followed the instruction in this thread when i replaced my steering shaft. Worked like a charm: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... f=55&t=217

[MrT]

Gald to hear that the new steering shaft worked well. Thanks for the tip on the bearing, I will check mine when I get to the install.