comandoed

My 2007 HHR LT was squeaking when I turned steering wheel in either direction. Even when not moving.

Street mechanic lifted hood took can of oil with spout and squirted he said the upper joint of the rack and pinion. He said it had been bone dry.
Now the squeaking has stopped and seems to be driving ok.

Will this fix last? What may have caused this? Could this be indicative of a bigger issue? Should I take car to a professional shop and have them look it over?

thanks

Oldblue

The outside U-joint for the intermediate steering shaft, gets no attention, so it corrodes and when you oil it , it stops, try to oil it every oil change , not drown it just a few drops in the joint yokes




This was the outside joint on Oldblue , I replaced it because the slide joint inside was frozen with corrosion.

comandoed

Thank you. Going to do exactly that! This was such a mystery to me.

Oldblue

I looked into replacing the u-joint but couldn’t find any with a grease zerk. And I needed the HHR back together to drive to Florida on vacation in the next day or two

comandoed

is that joint hard to replace?

Oldblue

Same as a rear wheel drive , drive shaft front yoke , only these are held in with a punch mark not a c clip

comandoed

My 2007 LT requires I oil the outside U-Joint of the Intermediate Steering shaft every 3 or 4 months or it starts making a cracking sound.
I would like to have the shaft replaced entirely to avoid a possible accident.

What is the Part # that I need to buy? I've seen GM 25834100 and Dorman 425-189 but the GM part is shorter and looks slightly different.
Is there any other part I should replace at the same time?

thanks

Oldblue

I’ve had experience with the Dorman part , a little hard to install and the worm gear clamp I didn’t like , the GM part fit perfectly
When you do this job, do not move the steering wheel you can damage the clock spring .

comandoed

How is it that the parts are a different length and diameter and can both be used?

I suppose I would want to use the GM as you say that it fits perfectly.
Am going to have a shop do it but I want to supply the part myself.
And I will mention not to move steering wheel. Disconnect battery?

RJ_RS_SS_350

Check with the shop, some won't guarantee the work unless they supply the parts.