Has anyone had a rattle from the steering column? If so could you get it to stop?The dealer is giving me this line of BS about my exhaust causing the problem. Thanks for any input in advance.

 

When do you notice the rattle?
Bill

 

pretty much all the time, it does go away if i put a little downward pressure on the steering wheel, but when i release it the noise comes back

 

My wife's 02 Coupe has this problem also.

Subscribing to this thread...........

 

It shouldn't be too hard see if the exhaust is contacting the steering column. Couldn't find anything about a rattle in the Service Manual but did find a diagnostic procedure for noisy steering column. It should give you some hints on where to look.

Noise in Steering Column
Step
Action
Yes
No

1
Did you review the Steering Wheel and Column Description and perform the necessary inspections?
Go to Step 2
Go to Steering Wheel and Column Description and Operation

2
Verify that noise is present in the steering column during operation.

Is noise present in the steering column during operation?
Go to Step 3
System OK

3
Inspect the steering column components for looseness.

Is the steering column components loose?
Go to Step 10
Go to Step 4

4
Inspect the SIR/SRS coil for noise.

Is the SIR/SRS coil noisy?
Go to Step 11
Go to Step 5

5
Inspect the horn contact ring for lubrication.

Is the horn contact ring lubricated?
Go to Step 12
Go to Step 6

6
Inspect the lock plate retaining ring for the correct installation.

Is the lock plate retaining ring installed properly?
Go to Step 13
Go to Step 7

7
Inspect the shaft bearing for the following conditions:

Damage
Lubrication
Wear
Proper seating
Are the bearings in need of repair or replacement?
Go to Step 14
Go to Step 8

8
Inspect the spherical joint for lubrication.

Is the spherical joint lubricated?
Go to Step 15
Go to Step 9

9
Inspect the steering column coupling for looseness.

Is the steering column coupling loose?
Go to Step 16
Go to Step 3

10
Tighten the steering column components to specifications. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications .

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--

11
Replace the SIR coil. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Replacement in SIR.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--

12
Lubricate the horn contact ring.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--

13
Install the lock plate retaining ring properly.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--

14
Repair the shaft bearings as necessary. Refer to Steering Shaft, Lower Bearing, and Jacket Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--

15
Lubricate the spherical joints.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--

16
Tighten the steering column coupling to specifications. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications .

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 17
--

17
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?
System OK
Go to Step 3

Bill

 

I had a similar problem...my steering wheel had a play and it felt that it was in the steering column,
Dealer said i need a new rack and pinion and quoted me at $2000.
My car is an `98 and has 20000 miles.
Other dealer said that the clunk and play was normal. I then took the service advisor and had him test the steering wheel of a C5 they had in the lot for sale....he than said that the car tested was an `01 and my car was an `98 and that`s why the difference...
Anyway... it was a loose bolt in the lower column shaft that needed tightening.

$175 AND NO MORE CLUNK hope this helps

 

Just about all the tahoe and pickups have the steering column rattle after they get some miles on them. It is the intermediate shaft that causes the problem. The dealer sell a lube kit for this that fixes the problem. I don't know if you are having this same problem but it would be worth a look.

The rattle is most notable at low speed turns while hitting a small bump, such as entering driveways, etc.

 

high or low speed makes no diff for mine, bill thanks for the info i will print it and take it to the dealer. Thanks everyone for the input.

 

If it is a GM dealer you will not need to they will have this info. It is right off the dealer DVD Service Manual.
Bill