Z71 Front End "Rattle"

[BlueZ71]

Good Morning, brand new to the Forum and looking for some help!!!
I have a 2006 Z71, I am experiencing a "rattle" or shaking from the front end that transfers to the steering wheel, I notice it mostly at low speed, like backing out of the driveway. I have done a visual inspection of the linkage and didn't see anything out of order. My truck had 62k and is hardly ever off-road. Anyone have similar problems?? Better yet a SOLUTION????

 

[knucklehead27]

I would inspect the Idler arm... do you actually hear a rattle or just feel it???

 

[BlueZ71]

I "feel" it in the wheel, kind of like something is "loose" seems to be getting worse, or I am just paying more attention to it!!! I hear a faint rattel, hard to describe, but like something has gotten worn and now "wobbkes" a bit?? <ake any sense??
Where are the idler arms?? mine is 4x4 when I looked under it appears to have 2 pitman arms?? one on the steerning box side then another on the passenger side, never worked on a 4x4, so any help with this is appreciated!!! Im pretty good about repairs, and not scared to learn!!!!!
Thanks for the reply and I look forward to any suggestions!!!

 

[BlueZ71]

I "feel" the rattle translate from the steering to the wheel, kind of hard to explain!!! I believe you hit the nail on the head, I looked into replacing both the pitman arm and the idler are, I don't think they should be too hard to replace!!! Anyone done this???

 

[Molson02536]

Good Morning, brand new to the Forum and looking for some help!!!
I have a 2006 Z71, I am experiencing a "rattle" or shaking from the front end that transfers to the steering wheel, I notice it mostly at low speed, like backing out of the driveway. I have done a visual inspection of the linkage and didn't see anything out of order. My truck had 62k and is hardly ever off-road. Anyone have similar problems?? Better yet a SOLUTION????

Your intermediate steering shaft may need to be re-grease, it's a common issues with the GM line of cars and trucks. 9.8 times out of 10 its the intermediate steering shaft, give it a shot first seeing as it will only cost you a whole $20 mainly for the little packing tool or cork but once you have that all you have to do is buy a tube of white grease and you can pack it a million times after without costing a thing. Generally pack it once a year, its just cheaper that way. Plus its only like a 10 min job

The other way, replace the upper intermediate steerring shaft $70 plus they now have new lower steering column bearing. This part is $35 and new one is green not white and I would reccomend replacing it as well as you just pop it off once you remove the upper intermediate.

Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[airdave]

same problem

I have an '05 Sierra Z71 and had the same problem - sounds like it's a loose steering shaft and noise is under dash, right? I DID replace the intermediate shaft and lower shaft bearing with the updated green bearing (housing) and improved intermediate shaft - bought through Rock Auto.com.

However, after having it work great for a few months, the noise is now back! I'm thinking about pulling the lower bearing out and packing grease in the bearing race.

The shaft is a Dorman part and the bearing is from a top manufacturer, the name escapes me.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this and why it's doing "it" again?

Thanks!

 

[2001gmc]

They replaced this arm on my 2001 gmc 3 times cause of the same problem. You could feel it in the steering wheel and was very annoying. They told me it couldnt be greased.

 

[airdave]

Yes, "they" are correct, in that you cannot grease the new improved shaft - this is actually working just fine. It's the actual bearing the shaft slides into in the steering column that accepts the lower bearing. When I installed the new bearing, I could see the bearings inside, and that's what leads me to believe I can pump some grease into the race. I'm going to check with my mechanic friend before doing this, however. I believe this is where MY noise is coming from, seeing how I've already replaced the shaft.

I doubt your pitman arm and/or idler arm is defective! Check RockAuto.com for the intermediate shaft and take a look at the picture vs. what you have stock. There's a big difference! Easy to replace - 20 minutes for bearing and shaft.

Hope this helps!