I have a 99 Silverado z71 4X4 with 120,000 miles....mostly highway....The other day I had a woman try to play chicken on the interstate and tried to slip a newer gm cavalier type car between a semi and myself ...about 8' between us @ 30 MPH....never the less she lost and I had her as a bumer or a hood ornament....I only have a little bit a paint on my bumper, and she needs a whole new drivers side everything.....All is fine, but she learned a lesson.....but here is my problem maybe........



I jacked the front left side to see if ther was any suspension damage....All is tight for the suspension but with the other tire o n the ground, I put my hans on the tire at a 3 and 9 oclock position and I get about a 1/2" play. It looks like the steering is loose at the nuckle at the steering box...Is this paly normal??? ..... Or is it a joint near or at the steering box that is bad and needs to be replaced or does the box need to be replaced.....Is this 1/2" play normal????

Oh yeah I dropped the left side and checked the right side and I have the same "play" in the steering only.....THis is only in the steering and not any ball joints or any other suspension trouble......

.....Is this 1/2" play normal????

Oh yeah I dropped the left side and checked the right side and I have the same "play" in the steering only.....THis is only in the steering and not any ball joints or any other suspension trouble......

Having worked in a front shop during college (many years ago), I would say 1/2" is not normal.

Since you have a 4x4, you can probably get under it while someone turns the wheel side to side so that you can see what is moving causing the 1/2" play.

Idler arm, pitman arm, tierod ends, something is worn causing the play.

How is the tire wear? Can you feel this 1/2" in the steering wheel?

//2000CAYukon

tire wear is good so far......but my accident happened 3 weeks ago.....I can feel a little vibration in the steering...

I just replaced my pitman and idler arm at 63,000 miles. When I had the front end up and did the same 9 and 3 as you I got about 1/2" too.

did you have the play before you replaced the ptman and idler arm or was there still 1/2" play after you replaced them,,,as it may be normal???