2004 GMC Sierra 1500: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 20, 2010 · Electrical, Steering · 65,000 miles · OK

Knocking in the steering shaft assembly began at 20,000 miles. Steering shaft has to be greased by service center every 10k miles to prevent knocking. Speedometer, odometer, and engine temperature gauges stopped working. Speedometer used to register max MPH when doing 70mph then stopped working at all.

Filed Feb 5, 2010 · Engine · CA

I own a 2004 gmc sierra 1500 that is currently being repaired for cracks in both engine heads. The truck has 90,000 miles on it and I have kept up on all necessary maintenance. The problem began approx. 2 months ago when I noted a knocking sound after starting the truck cold. The knocking would dissipate after the truck warmed up. I was told the sound was caused from dirty lifters and not to be concerned as long as sound dissipated after it was warm. Upon having my oil changed 2 days ago, coolant was noted in the oil. (hints the knocking) the heads were pulled and both were cracked around where the heads bolt to the block. In talking to the mechanic, the cast they used when making the heads was bad. Apparently around the bolt holes, the aluminum is thin. Gmc however accepted millions of these and are still using them today. The repair is costing me $3,400.00.

Filed May 28, 2008 · Steering · 30,000 miles · IL

My 2004 gmc pickup truck has a knocking noise and clunk in the steering column. It started around 30k miles and has gotten steadily worse over the course of ownership. I did some searching on the internet and it seems gm has know about this problem on numerous models over the course of about 6 years. 00-02-35-003m jan 07 models: 2002-2006 cadillac escalade models 1999-2007 chevrolet silverado models (classic) 2000-2006 chevrolet suburban, tahoe models 2002-2006 chevrolet avalanche 1999-2007 gmc sierra models (classic) 2000-2006 gmc yukon, yukon xl models 2003-2006 hummer h2 condition some customers may comment on a clunk-type noise coming from under the hood that also can be felt in the steering wheel. These conditions may be more noticeable when turning at low speeds on rough road surfaces. Diagnostic tips ' intermediate shaft clunk -- intermediate shaft clunk is heard and felt in the steering wheel and/or steering column area, typically while driving on rough road surfaces with steering wheel input. Important: ' I-shaft p/n 19155614 has been designed to replace previous designed dampened and non-dampened I-shafts. The physical difference in the yoke size will accommodate all vehicles listed in this bulletin. Replace the steering column upper intermediate shaft with an improved design shaft that will eliminate the clunk noise using the procedure listed below. Gm knows about the problem and it should be a recall item. Gm used the same parts on my truck that were being replaced under warranty when my truck sold. They should have upgraded the parts on the new truck because they knew they were failing. Gm knew the joints were failing and kept using a failing part for 4 years on new trucks and expect the owners to pay for bad parts.

Filed May 4, 2008 · Acceleration, Electrical · 30 miles · CO

Own a 2004 gmc sierra bought brand new had numerous problems steering gear box went out completely dealer r/r part as a recall / steering problem knocking in wheel took to dealer four times installed grease pack in intermediate shaft last a couple of months problem recurs dealer states recall on shaft but wont r/r part hav problem with d/s door speaker blown twice dealer r/r part n/c d/s seatbelt squeaks r/r part dealer n/c now I have a another serious problem with the engine goes into rest mode while driving at 50 MPH u drive up a hill and will only go two to five MPH this is very dangerous so I have to find a place to pull over and turn vehicle off ECM resets and then is ok till next morning same thing dealer is still under investigation on problem I currently have 53,000 miles on it transmission is making clunking noise also while shifting from park into gears ? R/s half shaft seal blown out on me four wheel drive/ I am glad I bought ext warr for this and also the water pump went out on me 3,000 miles ago 50,000 for a water pump warr covered this and the half shft seal steering shaft and gear box has been a recall for this year . Also the instrument panel gauges have been a recall I have personally received letter for the instrument panel speed and fuel gauge inoperative correctly gm has a recall on these three items r/r by dealer on a recall so please read and contact your dealer with these common problems that have been recalled steering box intermediate shaft and speed fuel gauge cluster.

Filed Jan 13, 2008 · Steering · 31,000 miles · FL

2004 sierra 1500 with 31,000 miles it developed a knock noise evertime I drove over a mild bump. Took it to the dealer and was told it was the steering shaft. They replaced it at no charge and took about and hour. *tr very good customer service with this dealer.

Filed Feb 17, 2007 · Electrical, Steering · 17,377 miles · FL

1 speedometer registering 120 sitting still ( replaced cluster). 2 wipers would not shut off ( replaced wiper motor circuit board) 3. Knock in column ( replaced intermediate shaft).

Filed Feb 7, 2007 · Electrical, Steering · 75,000 miles · OK

I have a 2004 gmc sierra ext. Cab truck with about 70k miles on it. In the past week, the speedometer started reading higher than 120 MPH while driving. I was only doing around 50 MPH. When stopped it reads around 60 MPH. I can start and turn off the engine several times and the speedometer needle will drop around 10 MPH each time it starts. When it gets to 0, it will read fine for a little while and then gradually start climbing up past 120 MPH again. 2nd complaint. Around every 20k to 25k miles, I have to take the truck to the dealer and have a new steering column grease packing kit installed because the steering column starts knocking in the engine compartment. The first 2 times it was done was under warranty, now the warranty is up and it needs another packing done. The dealer wants me to pay for this one. This has been an ongoing problem since I bought the truck brand new.