Steering Column Repair: GM Intermediate Steering Shaft, pontiac bonneville ssei, 2001 pontiac bonneville ssei

Question
I have a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. November of '05 I had to have the intermediate steering shaft replaced due to a very annoying clunking noise at 46K miles at a local Pontiac dealership.  (I purchased the car used Dec 04 with approx 38K mi at the local Chev dealership) It now has approx 56K miles and less than a year after the repair it is starting to have the same problem.  I called the Pontiac dealership that did the repair and they said that GM is no longer doing this repair as they can't make a shaft that does not have this problem!  I asked them what they intended to do because I spent $250.00 for nothing.  Again, they said GM didn't have a fix for the problem.  When I took the car in for the repair, it was my understanding per a service bulletin someone had given me a copy of, that the repair of this problem was to be some kind of a lubrication kit installed in the sterring shaft - not replacing it.  But since this was a Pontiac dealership, I didn't question their replacing it instead.  So now it appears they just replaced the defective shaft with another defective one instead of doing the correct repair.  When I told them this they said "Well there is a kit they are using sometimes now for however long it lasts."  I told them the kit was the repair back then - not replacement of the shaft.  They told me they would look into it and get back with me which they have not done.  So before I call them again - FINALLY - my question is - is there a repair for this problem and is it (and was it on Nov 05) a lubrication kit?  Any information and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.  Carol Torpey  

Answer
Hello Carol.

I don't know where you are located, but I would go to another dealership with your problem. Take all of your documentation with you. Ask to speak with the Service Manager. Politely explain your problem, but don't be accusatory.
You did not get a "defective" shaft. You probably received a new replacement shaft. Unfortunately it was not a new design as there isn't a "lube kit" available. I'm not positive with the Bonneville, but on some GM models there is a redesigned shaft that has provisions for regular lubrication. The problem is there are few places that will lubricate this on a regular basis like the rest of the steering and suspension. It is a chore to get at regardless of which design is installed (original had no lubrication points and needed to be partially disassembled to lube).
And as a final point I can't say for certain there is a new design shaft available for your model. There are for some GM models. Usually the dealerships are up on this matter, but experience tells me not all shops operate the same.
As I say, explain your situation to another shop. It doesn't hurt to get a second opinion.

Hope that helps.
Have a great day!
-Jay