NHTSA Complaint #10239780 — 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 HD TRUCK WITH 80,000 MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL 'PLAY' HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY MORE SLOPPY SINCE I PURCHASED THE NEW TRUCK. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAFELY REMAIN IN MY DESIGNATED LANE WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS ABOUT 6-8 DEGREES OF STEERING WHEEL TRAVEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE BEFORE THE FRONT WHEELS TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, STEERING SHAFT, AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAKE CLUNKING NOISES WHILE GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND WHILE TURNING. THE VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT, AND GROWN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MY LOCAL DEALER COULD NOT INITIALLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM (WHILE UNDER WARRANTY). I'VE DISCOVERED A CHEVY SERVICE BULLETIN 02-02-35-006A, WHICH HAS HAD MIXED SUCCESS. ADDITIONALLY, MANY OTHER OWNERS I'VE SPOKEN WITH HAVE HAD IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. (CHEVY SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 00-02-35-003K *JB IDENTIFIES SEVEN DIFFERENT MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME MECHANICAL PROBLEM.). I AM MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR