2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jun 3, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 142,000 miles · CA

I started to notice my brakes and steering components are very unsafe, my steering wheel has to much play, something inside the steering makes a loud clunking noise when I hit a bump, the brakes don?t operate correctly, the truck shakes and makes the steering very difficult to control when applying the brakes due to the shaking and vibration. I was told it might be leaking hydraulic fluid. But to sum it all up today on 06-02-2020, I realized the truck is only getting worse and getting harder to steer and the brakes cause the steering to make it even harder to drive with all the shaking and pulling to the side and also I noticed the brake pedal will be really hard at times and then really light at times.

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Seat belts, Steering · 145,000 miles · NM

I hear clunks in the motor compartment and I feel them in the steering column

Filed Jun 10, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 14,773 miles · NJ

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.

Filed May 24, 2012 · Electrical, Transmission · 42,000 miles · CA

Bought my truck new in 2004 as my retirement vehicle. I have only 42,000 miles. I had my instrument cluster replaced two years ago under a dealer warranty due to a defective speedometer. Within the past week my transmission has randomly slipped from a dead stop as well as double clunked from a dead stop. Most recently, the AC is randomly blowing out hot air. I should have bought a golf cart instead. Since the truck is now 7+ years old it is no longer under warranty. I'm hoping the transmission does not completely shut down and leave me stranded while driving down the freeway on a hot summer day. Note: I was a victim of the us fidelis extended warranty scam.

Filed Nov 14, 2010 · Steering · 48,560 miles · WI

I have a 2004 silverado z71 which has a clunking noise which also can be felt in the steering.. I took it to the dealership where I purchased the truck from to ask if they could fix the problem. I was told this is a known, by general motors, problem with this vehicle, but they would not fix it, because I was not a "loyal" customer. When questioned, the service manager said because I did not bring my vehicle to them for lube/oil changes (which cost more for them to perform than other places) I was considered not to be loyal to wheeler chevrolet!! Truck had less than 50k on the odometer.

Filed Oct 22, 2010 · Steering · 91,000 miles · VA

The failure that I am experiencing is an awful popping, cracking, clunking, and growling sound coming from the steering column. The events leading up to this failure were simply normal, everyday use. The vehicle that I am experiencing this with is a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500 z71 with the 5.3 v8 4x4 with. Nothing has been done yet to resolve the problem because I feel it is gm's responsibility to fix their defective product at their cost.

Filed Mar 5, 2010 · Steering · 36,000 miles · TN

Started hearing clunking noise coming from steering column just about time ran out of warranty 36k miles dealerships said it was normal,didn't drive truck often is 2004 silverado but since it has increased can feel in steering wheel,checked online for any recalls(none) for this problem with truck but lots of complaints about the same,dealers do a quick fix pack with grease and send you on,doesn't fix problem.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 75,000 miles · CT

2004 chevrolet silverado extended cab, poor braking. Replaced brakes and rotors and still have poor braking. Have to bear down on pedal to stop. Speedometer reading goes up and down on it's own. Had a speed sensor replaced but didn't correct the problem had the dealership replace steering coupling in steering column because of clunking in the steering. The clunking, loose feeling has started again.

Filed Nov 26, 2009 · Steering · 60,000 miles · NY

At 30,000 miles the steering started clunking real bad. I took it to the dealer and they knew just what the problem was. They packed the steering with grease and it was fine for about 20,000 more miles. The clunking returned but I ignored it because the dealer said it wasn't a problem. I continued to drive the truck and the steering started shimmying and shaking. So I took it to the dealer and now they said the steering shaft was worn out. I have two friends with 2004 silverado's with the same problem.

Filed Oct 20, 2009 · Electrical, Steering · 85,000 miles · IL

Without warning of any sort my 2004 z71's speedometer has quit working. It stays below the 0 MPH mark and if it decides to come alive while I'm driving it is completely off. I can be driving 20 and it will say I'm going 50 MPH. This is my primary vehicle....I have 3 little girls and this is our main source of transportation. Why won't gm recall this? I'm also hearing the clunking sound that so many other people have reported it is accompanied by a wobbling sensation in the steering column. I can't afford to keep having these issues serviced just for them to stop working again. Recall or lemon law.

Filed Aug 31, 2009 · Electrical, Steering · 44,000 miles · OK

Steering column is faulty in two of my 2004 chevrolet silverados. Had it repaired by gm but it keeps messing up and causing vibrations, clunking and altering the steering . Also both of my trucks the speedometer has completely quit working at 40,000 miles. How safe is this????? Please please do a recall on these two items.

Filed Jul 3, 2009 · Steering · 14,200 miles · PA

Steering shaft noise and vibration on 2004 chevy silverado there is a clunking and vibration in the steering when turning at lower speeds. All front end components were verified to be in good condition with no play. Clunking is believed to be coming from the steering column. Steering feels as though it may fail, resulting in significant safety issue.