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Steering column lubrication

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Old Dec 31, 2014 | 04:50 PM
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Default Steering column lubrication

Was combing through the truck and noticed the steering column seemed to be showing signs of corrosion. Got a 2005. Do any of you lubricate or spray coat the shafts or more specifically the u joint?

I havent had an steering issues or noises yet, other than the hissing air sound that u get when the wheel is turned all the way to one side.

Thanks
Attached Thumbnails Steering column lubrication-image-1049144511.jpg  
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Old Dec 31, 2014 | 09:01 PM
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I've sprayed some silicone lube on mine before. I don't know if there's a specified lube for that, but anything is probably better then nothing. I'd definitely put something on yours since it's rusting.
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Old Jan 1, 2015 | 11:12 AM
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You will know when those U joints freeze up. It feel like the power steering stopped working altogether or in spots

I have pull the shaft 2x sprayed the crap out of it with PB Blaster then worked the joints then coated in grease.
The first time lasted about a year. It always seems to happen on long drives. First time I was half way through PA on a trip from NH to OH. Second time was after a trip from NH to TN
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Old Jan 1, 2015 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by jamie930
You will know when those U joints freeze up. It feel like the power steering stopped working altogether or in spots I have pull the shaft 2x sprayed the crap out of it with PB Blaster then worked the joints then coated in grease. The first time lasted about a year. It always seems to happen on long drives. First time I was half way through PA on a trip from NH to OH. Second time was after a trip from NH to TN
I slathered mine in a generous amount of grease about 2 years ago, and packed it into the joint really well.. It hasn't bound up since..
When it did bind it felt like I needed to really strong arm the steering wheel at random times while driving..
Started happening during a trip to cape cod for me..

Last edited by Especial86; Jan 1, 2015 at 11:40 AM.
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Old Jan 3, 2015 | 08:05 AM
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What kind of grease did u guys use? I can reach into the joint i took the photo of, but might be a pain to get to the lower one. Figured trying to do something is better than nothing.

Thanks
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Old Jan 3, 2015 | 09:58 AM
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When I bought my 2006 in November it had been sitting parked for 6 months. Both the upper and lower joints had seized and it made it really hard to drive. I took the shaft out and tried to free them up but they were too far gone. Some of the needles had fallen out.
I priced a new shaft and said maybe. I took these non-serviceable universal joints apart and replaced them with non-serviceable joints from a 99 MonteCarlo I just happened to have. Since there are no C clips or lock rings to hold the caps in place I drilled and threaded a small 10/24 hole beside each cap and threaded in a screw to prevent the cap from sliding out. Similar to this picture - not my picture.
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Old Jan 3, 2015 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by beantown617
What kind of grease did u guys use? I can reach into the joint i took the photo of, but might be a pain to get to the lower one. Figured trying to do something is better than nothing. Thanks
I used regular ball joint grease with a couple pumps from my grease gun.. Just slip a plastic bag over your hand with some grease on in it and massage it into the joint real good.. I did mine from above and below the joint while laying on the ground.... It should work instantly..
I tried kroil, wd40 and every other lubricating spray imaginable first, and this worked the best..
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Old Jan 4, 2015 | 02:54 PM
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I had pulled the shaft out of the truck. Pulling it the 2nd time it took longer to get the tools than pulling it.
I just used a hi temp GP grease and packed around the joints. It was the bottom joint both times.
It has the angle on it and it is pretty close to the exhaust
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