# Steering Growl

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-growl/14862>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** noises, trucks, steering\
**Created:** [June 4, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-growl/14862 "2008-06-04T22:04:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PatrickGoodyear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c37758/32.png) [@PatrickGoodyear](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PatrickGoodyear)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-growl/14862/1 "2008-06-04T22:04:05Z")

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I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado LS 1500 4x4 truck. I have had the intermediate steering shaft replaced, and that fixed many noises that I was hearing and feeling in the steering system.  
  
  
  
 However, I still get a “growling” noise when turning left at low speeds. I thought it might be low on steering fluid, but it’s not. It gets worse as the engine compartment heats up.  
  
  
  
 Anyone else experiencing this type of issue?

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**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 2:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-growl/14862/2 "2008-06-05T02:15:14Z")

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I’ve read and heard about the intermediate steering shaft issue but because it isn’t a safety issue (just a light thumping noise when in slow turns) I never bothered to replace it in my '02 Tahoe 4x4.

Did you install the $200+ after-market shaft?

You don’t mention the mileage on this 8 year old.

There MAY be worn parts in the power steering pump itself or possibly a front diff/transfer case fault.

Have you ever had a transfer case problem due to (mistakenly) driving on dry pavement with the 4x4 engaged?

A possible worn wheel bearing isn’t out of the question either.

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**Author:** ![PatrickGoodyear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c37758/32.png) [@PatrickGoodyear](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PatrickGoodyear)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-growl/14862/3 "2008-06-05T23:15:22Z")

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Thanks for your reply.

I actually went back to a Chevy Dealer for the shaft. It only cost $188 parts and labor.

It has around 93,000 miles on it, so I’m expecting some worn parts.

I have not had any problems (that I know of) with the front diff. or transfer case. While I was changing oil this last time I noticed that the front left axle seemed to have something oily on it, but have not seen any leaking from the diff. I’ll check the diff. fluid this weekend.

I will, also, replace the power steering fluid. It shows the proper level, but I’ll bet it’s never been replaced so it has a lot of miles on it.

I will also pull the left wheel bearing for a look see.

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**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-growl/14862/4 "2008-06-06T01:53:51Z")

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Is the dealers (replacement) intermediate shaft a little longer than the original?

If it isn’t, the shaft will knock again. Every body used to pump a pile of grease in to take up the slack but found they had to keep redoing it.

You can see what I mean by going to the following site, registering and after clicking into the right section, do a search on these shafts.

[http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb](http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb)