NHTSA Complaint #10190854 — 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD

2003 CHEVROLET 1500HD 4X4 - THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MADE A CLANKING SOUND" WHILE TURNING AND DRIVING. IT WAS EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND LOUD. I TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I NOW ONLY HAVE 57,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. BOTH TIMES THEY GREASED THE SHAFT. NOW IT WAS BACK EVEN WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT GM HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW SHAFT. HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT KNOW IF IT WILL BE ANY BETTER OR WORSE, AND OF COURSE THEY WANTED ME TO PAY FOR THE NEW PART. HOW COULD I KNOW IF THE SHAFT WAS ON THE VERGE OF FAILURE? DO I JUST ALLOW THE NOISE TO CONTINUE UNTIL IT FAILED? WILL IT FAIL? WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN IT FAILS? I WOULD EXPECT GM TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. THEY KNEW IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW, BUT REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY.*AK