97 Tahoe Steering EVO Sensor

[DJ JEFF]

Has anyone ever changed the Steering EVO sensor on a 97 or 98 Tahoe? I am wondering what all needs to be taken apart. Do you have to disconnect anything with the airbag? How do you disable the airbag? Do you have to pull the steering wheel off? The steering sensor gives you artificial feel in the wheel at higher speeds. I was going to let the stealer change mine but when I went in there to have it done, the service manager told me my truck didn't have one. I went back to the parts counter and bought one and took it out to him and explained to him that, yes they do have one and this is what it looks like. He didn't like that too much. They want to charge you $120 to change this. The sensor itself cost $75 so I thought I would try and change it myself.

Any ideas would be very helpful.
Thanks

[DJ JEFF]

Thanks for all the replies.... Oh wait...
Anyway it actually turns out this sensor is easier to change than I thought. Take out the one bolt at the top of the intermediate shaft. Push the intermediate shaft down a little bit pop off the sensor, put the new one on put bolt back in. Steers like a new truck again. I was worried about the airbag for some reason. You can disconnect the battery on the 97 without upsetting your radio so I did. That disables the airbag I guess.

[brent harper]

what did your tahoe feel like before you changed your sensor. i might have the same problem on my 99 tahoe. it feels like it wants to jerk you towards the ditch at about 35 mph.

[DJ JEFF]

My steering was doing that as well. Mainly when i was in a slight curve or maybe changing lanes. It would have a little jump in whatever direction I was turning the wheel. Not always though. Just sometimes. Little freaky sometimes. Anyway steering is back to normal now. No more problems with it doing that since i changed that sensor. The GM tech that told me how to change it actually asked me if that was one of the symtoms. When I told yes it was, he was like change the sensor and you'll be good.

[frootl00p3]

I have a 99 suburban, old body style. I had to change the EVO. Thanks for your information it was HELPFUL! The Airbag was a problem though it does need to be disabled. I called a friend who works at GM dealership, but it is easy to disable. Disconnect battery and wait about 1 hour before starting, be smarter then ME I am short be sure to move seat back before disconnecting battery! You have to wait an hour because the computer in the car holds a charge anywhere from 30 minutes to 50 minutes to be safe wait 60 minutes. This disables the airbag. Apparently there is a sensor in the steering column close to the firewall and when changing the sensor there is a chance you may "bump" the sensor and cause the airbag to deploy. According to my pal there is something like only 1 in 7 chance but it isn't that hard to disconnect the battery and my luck isn't that good.

[rustydale]

Where exactly is this sensor? I think this is my problem too !!! Do you get this sensor only from the dealer?

[leerider]

I just had mine changed at the dealership... Total bil $225.... They also told me that my Idler Arm and Pitman Arm is loose and needs to be taken care of... Have you heard of these things... To get these fixed is is going to be to the tune of $650....

[txgearhead]

Originally Posted by leerider

I just had mine changed at the dealership... Total bil $225.... They also told me that my Idler Arm and Pitman Arm is loose and needs to be taken care of... Have you heard of these things... To get these fixed is is going to be to the tune of $650....

They are parts of the steering system. That sounds like a dealership qoute. Unless you prefer a dealeship, I would get some other estimates from reputable repair centers.

[Notor1us]

Originally Posted by leerider

I just had mine changed at the dealership... Total bil $225.... They also told me that my Idler Arm and Pitman Arm is loose and needs to be taken care of... Have you heard of these things... To get these fixed is is going to be to the tune of $650....

change the idler and pitman arms yourself and save the dough, get urself a pitman arm puller and disconnect the steering box from the truck but be very careful not to move the box too much and you should be able to get the puller in there, the idler arm is cake to do.

[tahoeman1999]

Originally Posted by Notor1us

change the idler and pitman arms yourself and save the dough, get urself a pitman arm puller and disconnect the steering box from the truck but be very careful not to move the box too much and you should be able to get the puller in there, the idler arm is cake to do.

i just bought a evo sensor, when i would turn to tha right about 1:00, it would pull a little and then go back to normal, i bought it from jupiter chevy for $60, it took about 30 mins to change. under the sterring colum, it's a bolt, u pull tha bolt and 4 bolts that holds tha steering wheel and it's a lil bracket, pull it off and the sensor's in there. oh, don't for get to disconnect tha battery, or tha air bag could deploy.

[tahoeman1999]

Originally Posted by tahoeman1999

i just bought a evo sensor, when i would turn to tha right about 1:00, it would pull a little and then go back to normal, i bought it from jupiter chevy for $60, it took about 30 mins to change. under the sterring colum, it's a bolt, u pull tha bolt and 4 bolts that holds tha steering wheel and it's a lil bracket, pull it off and the sensor's in there. oh, don't for get to disconnect tha battery, or tha air bag could deploy.

hey guys, before i changed my sensor, i did all of this too, only i did it myself, its easier than u think. tha idler, pitman, and idler arm bracket assy, none of that fixed it, then i changed tha sensor, so far, great!!!!!!!!!!!! TAHOEMAN1999

[ramorgan]

what exactly does this sensor look like and is it definatley on a 97 tahoe?

[snowed500]

The sensor is on your '97
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/
GM PART # 26064468
PACK QTY: 1
GM LIST: $64.75
OUR PRICE: $36.91
DESCRIPTION: SENSOR

1. Remove the bolt and nut (15mm deep socket) that connects the bottom of the steering column to the intermediate shaft that passes through the firewall. (You may need to turn your wheel to lock to access the nut. Might be wise to make an alignment mark on the shaft)

2. Slide the intermediate shaft towards the firewall. It may feel fairly stiff but it will go.

3. Once the shaft is out of the way, pry out the 3 little plastic tabs that hold the sensor in place and slide the sensor out of the housing.

4. Unplug the wire harness on the old sensor and remove the sensor

5. Plug in the new sensor BEFORE you pop it into place. Trust me on this one!

6. Pop the new sensor into place with the wires at the top. One sidenote here: I found no reference marks, slots, or keys anywhere so I am not sure if it matters how it is aligned. The wires need to be on the top or they won't reach.

7. Reconnect the steering shaft.

[van hal]

Originally Posted by snowed500

The sensor is on your '97
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/
GM PART # 26064468
PACK QTY: 1
GM LIST: $64.75
OUR PRICE: $36.91
DESCRIPTION: SENSOR
thank
1. Remove the bolt and nut (15mm deep socket) that connects the bottom of the steering column to the intermediate shaft that passes through the firewall. (You may need to turn your wheel to lock to access the nut. Might be wise to make an alignment mark on the shaft)

2. Slide the intermediate shaft towards the firewall. It may feel fairly stiff but it will go.

3. Once the shaft is out of the way, pry out the 3 little plastic tabs that hold the sensor in place and slide the sensor out of the housing.

4. Unplug the wire harness on the old sensor and remove the sensor

5. Plug in the new sensor BEFORE you pop it into place. Trust me on this one!

6. Pop the new sensor into place with the wires at the top. One sidenote here: I found no reference marks, slots, or keys anywhere so I am not sure if it matters how it is aligned. The wires need to be on the top or they won't reach.

7. Reconnect the steering shaft.

thank you very much for this info i have the same problem with my 1998 chevy z71 pete

[van hal]

Originally Posted by van hal

thank you very much for this info i have the same problem with my 1998 chevy z71 pete

well i changed mine about 1 hr. ago it was a piece of cake i undone the battery let sit for about 1 hr. rmoved the bolt 15 mil wrench and slid the bottom shaft down and there it was let you know f\how it drives in a few days ..........................................pete