Dorman 425-176 Steering Shaft Compatible with Select Models

Had the infamous clunk for a while, didn't bother me at first. However, it became bothersome and did some research which pointed to the common issue of a failed intermediate shaft. I was in between the factory item vs the Dorman. I made my decision for Dorman based on these Amazon reviews and also price. I am a prime member, so shipping for this item was free. The cheapest place for factory part was gmpartsdirect.com but was $57 PLUS shipping. It was here in 2 days as always (just pay the money and be a prime member, its worth it!). I am a review purchaser- my purchasing decision is based on reviews. I read all the reviews for this item. I followed the tips and tricks mentioned by others. Here is how install went for me.It always takes me more time than what everyone says. I spent plenty of time researching the install as well. this link was useful[...]I still don't see how it only took 30 minutes for first installs for some of these people but I think after the first install, I could do it in 30 minutes. I have an '05 Escalade so this may have been the difference for me. I do not have easy access to the other end of the shaft in the engine bay, nor did I have easy access in the driver's floor board. I was not comfortable in either compartment- its just not easy at least in an Escalade. I believe there are simply more parts and hoses in the Escalade.I agree with the poster that mentioned DO NOT worry about the steering wheel being straight until the bolt in the engine compartment and nut in the driver's floor board are loosened. They were not accessbile for me with the wheels straight. I started the engine and turned the wheel until I had access to the bolt/nut. I first removed the BOLT in the engine compartment (do not try to loosen the "nut"- the nut and metal piece you see is one piece from the engine bay side which you cannot remove). I ended up using some extensions and breaker bar (3/8" drive and 15mm socket). WHILE STILL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT after the engine bay bolt was removed, slide the ENGINE BAY PORTION of the shaft of the ISS forward towards the firewall- mine was done with my hands and with ease. I actually almost hurt myself because I was expecting it NOT to move. If it does not slide freely then as others suggested- use pliers/vice grips on the shaft and hammer the shaft toward the firewall (the shaft by default is able to move back and forth 3-4 inches). MAKE SURE THE SHAFT IS SLID FORWARD otherwise while removing it in later step, practically impossible. Once that bolt and nut are removed then I returned to the driver's floor board and fully removed the NUT there with 15mm socket, 3/8" ext (long), 3/8" ratchet (same situation here, the bolt has a metal tab attached to it which cannot be removed until NUT is removed). Once these were removed then I turned the wheel straight and shut the car down. I DID NOT use the special tool J 42640 called for (for 2002 and later vehicles which DO NOT have steering lock on them). I decided to use other review's idea and use the shoulder belt through the steering wheel and also went the extra step and did some tie downs from the steering wheel to the driver's seat frame. Honestly all really overkill- you just have to remember NOT to move the steering wheel (other poster mentioned even with the special tool, the steering wheel still had 20deg of play. So, now engine bay BOLT and nut removed and driver's side floor board NUT and bolt removed- it was time to remove the shaft. This is where it was REALLY uncomfortable for me- Not much room while lying on your back. I did try to remove the shaft WITHOUT removing the accelerator pedal but for me it would NOT have worked otherwise (again, I believe it is the way Escalade was made since other poster's were able to remove the shaft without moving the accelerator pedal, Escalade had more parts down there based on pictures I saw). SO after 10-15 minutes trying to remove the shaft without moving the accelerator pedal....I decided to move the pedal. It was actually easy- took 2 minutes to remove and replace- To me worth it. These are two 10mm nuts. The lower nut of the pedal was super easy, the upper nut I had to use 1/4" drive with extension and swivel to get to. I also move the ducting out of the way (under the dash, which helped some). Once it was removed, life was now much easier- the shaft slid right out (you just need the shaft to be parallel to the ground to remove (also with earlier step of sliding the engine bay portion of the shaft towards the firewall). The OLD shaft did have have any issues at the articulation but the shaft telescope with surprising ease but honestly did not feel loose. The Dorman was heavier and thicker metal and shaft slid but with some force. Time to insert new shaft...I made sure the Dorman shaft was telescoped within itself before install. Back to breaking your neck and back while lying flat...I inserted engine bay portion of the shaft through the rubber boot on the floor board then brought the articulated portion up the the steering column and slid the bolt through (the shaft needs to be mated well with steering column in order to slide bolt in). I hand tightened the nut there. Then torqued that bolt to 35ft lbs (per attached link above). I went to the engine bay was able to pull the shaft to the lower steering shaft but with force. I DID NOT have to use pliers/vice grips and hammer to get the shaft to slide. I slid the bolt through and hand tightened the nut there, the torqued it to 37 ft lbs. DONE in the engine bay. Back to the driver's floorboard...put accelerator pedal back in place and torqued bolts to 15ft lb, made sure ducting was put back into place, remove the shoulder harness/tie downs, put tools up, done! It took me an hour. Went for drive and NO MORE NOISE and MUCH TIGHTER steering. We really noticed the clunk going up into/down the driveway- gone! I used o be able to move steering wheel a good 30deg before the wheels actually move- not any longer! Much better than $350 from the dealer! Don't get me wrong being in that uncomfortable position under the steering wheel and alot of parts in the way (both compartments), it was still overall easy. I spent alot of time up and down getting more tools. Save time and get some tools ready...worklight, 15mm socket preferably short, 15mm closed end wrench, 3/8" ratchet, 3/8" extensions, 1/4" drive with 4 inch ext and 10mm nut for accelerator pedal, 3/8" torque wrench, possibly hammer/vice grips/pliers, step stool to reach into engine bay, printed off directions from above, and massage therapist for afterwards. Don't get caught up in taking only 30min- if it ends of being so then great but expect about an hour- make sure its done right and things are not forgotten.

I replaced this, the lower and the bearing. If you have a "loose" feeling steering wheel but your ball joints, tie rods , etc. are all good, it is likely slop within your steering shaft linkage or the bearing. After replacing all three components, my wheel is nice and tight again. Mine were all from the factory with over 174k miles. The repairs weren't too bad, just secure your steering wheel with the seat belt and push the seat all the way back, you do not want the clock spring to unwind!! Also, in my case, I did not have to remove the dash or the lower kick panel. I was having issues feeding it back through the firewall, so I fished in some rope from the engine bay side, tide it to the end, and gently pulled it through. All in all, it looks like quality part and I hope it lasts!

Fit perfectly. I used this on my 2006 Duramax 2500HD. along with a replacement shaft bushing .It got rid of the annoying clunk I endured for years.

Amazing product that appears to be a more heavy duty design compared to OEM. I installed this and the lower steering bearing in my 2005 Chevy 2500hd 6.6 and it eliminated the horrendous clunking and loose steering feeling.

I purchased this because the OEM shaft on my 2006 Silverado was seized and I couldn't collapse it to remove the worn out steering column bearing, probably for the best as the OEM shaft is apparently a potential culprit to the dreaded clunking sound these GM steering setups produce. This seems a bit better quality than OEM, came pre-greased well (though I added a bit more silicone grease), the only downside it is quite a bit stiffer in the U-joint than OEM shafts are so steering feels a bit heavier. Also it seems a bit pricey for what you're getting, but the lack of clunk (combined with bearing replacement) really is quite nice now.

It's an amazinng product.My steereng now is firm and no more extrange noises.Easy to instal.

I have been plagued by that infamous GM steering column clunk for months. I have replaced the steering bearing, tie rods, pitman arm, idler arm, ball joints all in the effort to eliminate that clunk. After i installed this (very easy install), the clunk was immediately gone! This design is not like the OEM design, it is thicker and improved. I highly recommend GM truck owners to buy this product. Thank you Doorman!

Was replacing the lower steering column bearing and decided to replace the this at the same time on my 2007 Silverado HD2500 Classic. However, this was not causing the steering rattle but it fit just fine.