Three problems related to steering column have been reported for the 2001 GMC Sierra. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Disc rotor delamination, anti-lock control. I was pulling a 3/4 ton van stuck in his yard, as I got him close to the hard surface ( driveway) I put on the brakes and the truck wouldn't stop, it hit the corner of his block house. No damage to the house however I had to replace all but hood and one headlight assy. 10 mph and neither bag deployed. I thought it was my own stupidity until reading all the issues on here w/ gm's braking problems. I feel a bit better about myself. The big issue !! all four rotors delaminated w/ 46,000 miles this is the 1st new truck I've owned and believe me it's been babied for sure. I was told by my service dealer there was nothing gm would do about this problem it was my problem for not driving it as much as I should (b. S. ) dealer wanted to charge me a grand to replace all the rotors and pads I did it for 500. 00 and still have the old parts. I'm sure gm should issue a recall on this, it is a definite safety issue did I fail to mention the muffler had a rattle in it and was replaced within the 1st 1000 miles, the thump in the steering column that has no way to be lubricated. Man I am disappointed in gm products.
The consumer heard a clunking noise and a pulsating sensation in the steering column while making turns. The consumer was told that the wrong lubricant was used at the factory for the steering column shaft. The shaft was unable to be lubricated because the lubricant would not penetrate between the first and second sleeve. The intermediate steering shaft was replaced and the problem got worse. Four wheel drive warning light came on.
A GMC service manager conveyed to me that several gm truck owners have reported excessive wear to the steering shaft leading through the firewall. Wear at a u joint occurs around 15,000 to 25,000 miles due to excessive torque on the joint, as explained to me by a gm service manager. Gm has recognized the problem by providing a new steering rod. The service department kept the old part. Hopefully this fixes the problem. This fix came at a cost of $180. 00 to me. This cost, I believe, should be born by gm. If the steering rod is left unreplaced, could loss of steering control result for these vehicles over time? I own a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500hd, 6 liter, v8.