Steering Wheel column rattle/thumping?

[1Coyote]

Thank you to everyones contributions, this gives us all of the information we need to convey to an ignorant dealer for the fix.

1Coyote

Originally Posted by joedirt

Finally, I'm able to rest. Took mine to a different dealer and diagnosed the problem instantly. The last dealer tried to give me the run around, saying that I have no problem, and that it is just the H3. I told them to kiss my ass, that it is a problem with the steering and pedals. So, I took it to a dealer closer to me in the Houston area and he hooked me up within 15 minutes. The steering problem is due to the steering shaft design. The steering shaft must be made to compress upon impact on front end collisions. There is just enough slack between the two peices to raddle the column, gas and brake. The problem would arise suddonly and abruptly, usually on hot days. GM is reengineering the design, but has not released the part. The dealer put me on the list. The dealer did say that he has seen many of these steering problems on the H3 even on the lot...too common.

Problem 2 was the "clunk clunk" I have been hearing when driving in and around town. The last dealer replaced the transfer case , but that did not fix the problem. The new dealer said that it is a transfer case bearing or gear causing the noise. They will be getting a new one for me in the next couple days. He said GM wants them to install a brand new transfer case for these issues and to ship the old cases back for design changes.

[FISH5337]

NEW STEERING SHAFT IS IN! Just got back from dealership, and all is quiet. It took about 2 hours to get installed. the bushing on the bolt was crushed and allowing shaft to have play. It's know time to head to the shore. and give it a work out on road and maybe offroad a little. please let me know how you guys make out with your new shafts. thanks for all the help over the past couple of months when we were trying to figure this out.

[partsguy]

They have been a bugger to get,uppr shaft that is,

too hot to go to the shore though!(enjoy yourself)

[HBH3]

Well, add me to the list. I just started to notice mine after a long trip to Baja Sur and about 400 miles of high speed dirt roads. I'm gald to hear it is not a risk issue and that there is a fix. It is anoying as hell though especialy on a manual since the truck jerks more so than an auto...

[MarineHawk]

Wife just bought an 07 H3 on Monday. Noticed weird popping feeling in the brakes. Dealer immediately diagnosed it as the steering shaft issue. Replacing it on Monday.