Steering shaft replacement

[Reloader]

I'm on my second steering shaft. It's the shaft with the little u-joints between the steering rack and the column under the hood . Mine was replaced under warranty but i think I'll need a new one again in the future. You get a clunk/knock in the wheel whilst a turning. Only proper fix is a new shaft assembly. This happens on a lot of GM vehicles. We replace a lot of them at times . The aftermarket has started to make them for several applications. Toyota's even have the problem in some models, but Toyota has us try to lube them first. New shaft is still the best way to go.
Anyways, I was wondering how many of you have had yours replaced . The actual part doesn't cost that much. Should be about a C-note for the part. I don't think they are available for our H3s aftermarket. Sorry , no picture of the shaft but mine is rusty and looks bad.
What say you.

 

[alrock]

There was a TSB on the intermediate steering shaft on the early H3s. After they eventually replaced it with an upgraded part back in '07 I haven't had the issue since. Before the replacement it was bad with the knocking felt from the wheel to the pedals.

 

[3Hummers]

No issues with my H3.

 

[06 H3]

103k miles on original steering shaft. I never had an issue until a few months ago now I have a small clunk but I have alot of play in steering due to a bad rack that has worn bushings. It seems to be in issue for offroad vehicles in general...JKs break these things left and right.

 

[4speedfunk]

Most H3 folks would probably agree that any clunking, popping, or play in the steering is due to the steering rack and not this little shaft. I'm sure they can fail but, it actually seems to be one of the more robust parts of the steering system, IMHO. Mine is an 2008 model so maybe I got the improved version?

I did an SAS last year and chose to install a Nissan Xterra steering box, in place of the rack & pinion unit. The stock H3 steering shaft plugs right onto input shaft of the Nissan box with very little modification, and it seems to be holding up quite well. If you continue to have problems, you might consider upgrading to an aftermarket shaft. The parts and pieces are nothing special, and you can make your own beefy version from individual parts. There are several companies that make suitable parts...Borgeson, Moroso, and Flaming River to name a few.

 

[MaxPF]

Maybe GM should've stuck with the rag joint. I'm pretty sure the rag joint in my truck is still the original 22 year old part :whaa:

 

[justin94tt]

I assume that with the borgeson brand we would get the shaft for 99-08 full size Chevy or gmc truck?