Problems with 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 STEERING

When driving at low speeds there is a loud knock coming from the steering. this noise (knock) can also be felt in the steering wheel. *tr

I have had my truck 1 year and use it for work. (drive 25k a year) since i have purchased it i have had it in the shop 5 times. every time they say its the intermittent steering shaft. it feels like my front end is coming apart at times and feels very unsafe. gm will not replace these parts and are only packing it with grease. this cant be right. i am sick of spending money on the problem. *jb

Steering has been making knocking noises. dealer has performed several fixes, put a sleeve over intermediate shaft, replaced body mounts,now it is very difficult to turn to the right almost impossible at a stop. dealer says no fix at this time. the dealership gave me gm customer service #, who in turn gave me the bbb auto line. it will not pass mo. vehicle inspection. they told me to put one foot one brake and one on the gas to turn to the right. not only do i put my family at risk every time i make a right hand turn, but also yours!. *jb

Purchased a used vehicle and found out it has a problem that is very common and the manufacturer is aware of the problem but has done nothing to correct the defect. *nm

Took the truck to the chevy dealership for pulsating brakes and a weird 'clunking' noise/feel in the steering when cornering. they replaced the rotor assembly, but never located the cause of the steering issue. this issue has continued to this day. last week i met another chevy silverado owner who had experienced the same problem and had received a recall on this issue. i've never been notified nor have i seen the bulletin on this site (he recommended this site to obtain the data). his vehicle was the same make & model, but one year older (mine is a 2004). this 'clunking' noise/feel is consistent when turning corners in either direction. it effects the performance feel of the vehicle. and leaves us wondering if the steering box is about to fall apart at any moment. please advise if recall has in fact been issued for this make & model year. *tr

Steering wheel and shaft makes a clunking noise when i turn left and when i go over bumps. i can feel the clunking in the steering wheel. *tr

Dt*:the contact stated while driving on an interstate highway at 70mph, there was stinging/burning sensation to the contact's foot. when the foot was removed from the gas pedal, a steaming liquid was observed on the foot and on the floor around the pedals. the liquid was spewing from an area under dashboard above the gas, break and clutch pedals. steam/vapor also appeared to be coming out of the defroster vents on the dashboard.

Dt*: the contact stated that the steering was loose and had a lot of play in it, since the vehicle was purchased. the looseness became progressively worse until there was a safety issue. the vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where it was determined that the steering column knot needed re-packing. the consumer stated even when the vehicle was in park, the play is still there. updated 07/28/06. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. while driving approximately 5 mph making a right turn he heard a loud clanking noise coming from the steering shaft. the failure only happened whenever he made a left or right turn. the failure had been on going since 2006. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure. he was advised by the dealer that they had several complaints about the failure but it was not a safety issue. he stated that over time the failure had become progressive worse. the vehicle had not been repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 12,000 and the current mileage was 36,472. updated 04/15/11*lj updated 1/13/2012 *ln

The steering mechanism has gone out on my 2004 chevrolet silverado half ton pu 4 times in 100,000 miles, the first time at approximately 32,000 miles. you start feeling play and knocking in the steering column. i get it repaired when i start feeling the knock. the mechanics have said that they have had to replace the steering mechanism in most silverados of that age several times. it seems the steering is a safety issue & there should be a recall. it has cost about $900 each time to repair it. even the replacement parts are defective. *tr

Noticed rattle in steering column, took to dealer for diagnosis. was asked if i felt it in the steering wheel i replied yes. was told the steering shaft was the problem and it was replaced. since 2004 it has been replaced no less than 3 times. was told by dealer this has been a problem since r2000. also was told they have replaced 200 steering shafts in vehicles. i feel when the steering shaft starts to get sloppy it affects the control of the vehicle and it feels like the vehicle flutters especially on rough or uneven road conditions. *tr

Steering makes loud clicking noise it was repaired at 27,000 miles under warranty and needs done again at 72,000 miles. *tr

After purchasing a 2004 chevrolet silverado z71 in november 2004, my 1st complaints were in november 2004 for a rear clunking. after several trips to the dealer the driveshaft was replaced, along with recalled tailgate support cables, rear bumper (rust), spare tire guide retainer, license plate lamp lens, and transfer covers, and, except for my time, all were covered under warranty. in february 2005 i complained of a grinding noise in 4 wd. 4wd transfer case fluid was drained & refilled. in june 2005 i complained that the 4wd switch went into neutral; 4wd software was replaced. in august 2005 i complained of clicking in steering wheel, burned out light bulb, and clunk in driveline; steering shaft was lubricated, bulb was replaced, and driveline splenes lubricated. driveline splenes again lubricated in september 2005. transfer case fluid changed. complained that 4wd high inoperable when i couldn't pull my boat out of a lake, but dealer found no problem. in january 2006, both outside heated mirror glass assemblies and left side heated mirror assembly were replaced; the ignition lock cylinder was lubricated due to key getting stuck; 4wd transfer case fluid drained & refilled; transmission column shifter assembly replaced. in may 2006, flasher module assembly was replaced due to flashers going on when signaling; tow haul mode switch assembly was replaced due to indicator staying on. purchased a 24-month warranty. in october 2006, the blower motor resistor assembly was replaced as fan only worked on setting 5 (i was charged $40.26 for a resistor). remotes were programmed for lights to flash with keyless. in march 2008, left front hub assembly was replaced due to a grinding noise; due to clunking noise, both inner tie rods were replaced; steering wheel noise was still there. in april 2008, heater control head assembly replaced. the steering wheel still clunks and vibrates when turning. i feel it is a serious safety issue. *tr

My 2004 chevy silverado has had a knock in the steering column it started at 18k. i had it fixed by gm at 30k. it came back at 37k. i did research and found out it is a very common problem that people keep paying to get fixed and it brakes soon after. i as many others are driving around with the problem. we cannot keep paying to get this fixed with defective parts. please help by investigating this issue. thank you *tr

The power steering gear was leaking, and then replaced by the dealership the vehicle was purchased at. the steering gear still has not been adjusted properly after several complaints have been made to the dealer.

There is a rattle in the front, the dealer's mechanic said it is the steering shaft. this is the third time it has happened. the first time it was under warranty, this time the service manager said it would cost 150-200 dallars to repair or grease. he also said chevrolet had corrected the problem, but would not replace mine. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. the contact stated that the windshield molding had to be replaced on the front of the vehicle. the speedometer failed, the steering column was loose, and the rear axle seal was replaced. the dashboard lights failed to illuminate and were replaced as well. the vehicle has undergone numerous electrical failures which were still occurring. the vehicle had sixteen failures, and had been taken to the dealer on nine occasions. the current mileage is 31,000, and failure mileage was 22.*ak

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban 1500. when driving straight or making right turns she hears a grinding noise from the steering column. also when driving the vehicle drifts without any warnings. the dealer could not duplicate the failure. while exiting a parking lot, she could not turn the steering column. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer multiple times and the driver side front hub bearing assembly along with other steering components were replaced on the vehicle. the failure mileage was 45,847. the current was 62,000.

Chevrolet silverado trucks have a steering defect that the manufacturer knows about and will not fix. they tell me that the problem is not a safety issue, but how safe can a banging/dry steering shaft be? eventually, someone will wear it out and it will break and something awful will happen. the noise scares people into paying for a temporary fix over and over, but if let go...it is more dangerous than they want to take responsibility for. curious, does someone have to die before recalls happen? thanks. :) *tr

There has always been a knocking noise, that can be felt in the steering and brake pedal. the dealer replaced a shaft that connected to the steering sector. the fix corrected it for a while. the problem came back. i went back to the dealer and was told the part needed to be removed and greased every 15000 miles. i said ,why does it not have grease fittings? over the last 10 years i have talked to numerous people who have the same problem. i sent gm an e-mail about this problem, never got an answer. i do get letters from gm wanting me trade for a new one. why pay $40 to $50 thousand for a vehicle that the manufacturer wont stand behind? [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

2004 chevrolet silverado steering arm knocking loud. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. while driving over bumps or making turns at 10 mph, the contact heard a loud rattling noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. the dealer stated that the failure resulted from the intermediate steering shaft, but it was not replaced because it was not a safety hazard. the manufacturer stated that the failure was insignificant. the failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 60,000. updated 03-27-09 *bf

Steering column: pulled out of driveway, driving along the highway attempted to make a left turn and steering column came loose on the right side. vehicle accelerated to the maximum. put foot on brake, but it would not stop, had to turn the key off to stop vehicle. *ak *slc