1999 Grand Prix Intermediate shaft, changed one?

**allbaugh_04** · 03-31-2011, 05:00 AM

Has anyone changed the intermediate shaft on a w-body?

Just curious how hard it is to do and WHERE to pick up a new one, I am guessing the dealership is the only place to find the part.

**Smittro** · 03-31-2011, 06:42 AM

Do you mean the 3800 balance shaft? It can be purchased @ an auto parts iirc..

They don't generally go bad, how do you know it's bad?

**Smittro** · 03-31-2011, 06:51 AM

Removal/replacement will be a job.

As the balance shaft is gear driven and everything is behind the timing chain..

**Smittro** · 03-31-2011, 07:04 AM

This is a photo of the valley where the balance shaft lives.. It's the goofy looking thing in the middle of the valley..

This is a pic of the timing set you can just see the drive gear for the balance shaft behind the cam sprocket..

**allbaugh_04** · 03-31-2011, 08:03 AM

No it's called the intermediate shaft.

I found this write up...should be helpful. It has pics of it.

http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic948465.htm

**SSTODD** · 03-31-2011, 08:11 AM

This is an issue on a ton of fwd gm cars, my G6 and Saturn Aura all had to go to the dealer for this. They lubed the $h1t out of the OE shafts with white grease without replacing them but some get replaced.

**allbaugh_04** · 03-31-2011, 09:00 AM

See I need to know if it just needs lubed or replaced, it makes a horrible clunk though. Not sure if it needs replaced or not.

**SSTODD** · 03-31-2011, 09:18 AM

I've heard of the grease working fine, and that a new revision shaft is available and is the answer? My G6 has lasted for almost 2 years so far since the grease job but I was under warranty then. Good luck with whatever you decide.

**allbaugh_04** · 03-31-2011, 09:26 AM

I guess I'll ask the guy at the dealership if they have the grease.

**Smittro** · 03-31-2011, 08:31 PM

My bad...

**Cutlass** · 04-01-2011, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

I guess I'll ask the guy at the dealership if they have the grease.

Yes there is a little grease kit for those from GM. Its a technical service bulletin. It usually fixes them for about 30,000miles or so and then the noise comes back. So keep the kit, so you can refill the grease.
Some cars have an updated shaft available but I don't think the Grand Prix does.

**allbaugh_04** · 04-01-2011, 05:48 AM

I picked up the grease kit for 15 bucks. So I'll try that this weekend. They'll refill it you say or just buy mine own later?

**allbaugh_04** · 04-01-2011, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

My bad...

it's cool

**blue02Z** · 04-01-2011, 08:55 AM

Like cutlass said, greasing them will help it. Hell even excersizing it will quiet it down. We just replace them. Can be a royal pita on a w body.

**allbaugh_04** · 04-01-2011, 09:28 AM

I'm guessing I have to remove the thing just to grease it anyways...right?

**Cutlass** · 04-01-2011, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

I picked up the grease kit for 15 bucks. So I'll try that this weekend. They'll refill it you say or just buy mine own later?

You'll have to refill it yourself.

Originally Posted by allbaugh_04

I'm guessing I have to remove the thing just to grease it anyways...right?

Yes you do have to remove it.

**allbaugh_04** · 04-03-2011, 01:54 AM

Wow, this is a bitch, I didn't get it done, but I did find my sway bar was broken on one end, just hanging there. What a piece of crap.

So i'll need to find a new one of those.

**Cutlass** · 04-03-2011, 05:32 AM

I just read that write-up...dang thats the hard way.
All you have to do is unbolt the shaft from the rack and pry it off.
Then unbolt from the steering column, pry it off and pull it out from inside the vehicle. You don't have to remove the whole column.

Broken sway bat is somewhat common on those also.

**allbaugh_04** · 04-03-2011, 07:21 AM

You are right, here is one. http://www.colinkraft.com/shaft.php

I'm gonna wait for my friend to help. It looks simple but if I screw up I dont have the Camaro ready to drive yet, he's done it before.