Steering problems

[ry_dawg_420]

I have a '97 C1500. My steering has been acting really goofly lately. I hope someone can help me with this. When turning around a gradual corner it will feel like its tightening up then all of a sudden it will turn all at once and if try to hold wheel steady u can feel it wanting to move by itself. Usually when it does that the steering is really loose. Also the wheel wont straighten up by its self after i turn a corner. It just feels totally weird to meits doesnt do it all the the time, just when it wants to. So i was thinking it had something to do with the power steering pump, but it dont make any noices or anything. Can anyone help me.

[wiscorado]

..."I have a '97 C1500. My steering has been acting really goofy lately. I hope someone can help me with this. When turning around a gradual corner it will feel like its tightening up then all of a sudden it will turn all at once and if try to hold wheel steady u can feel it wanting to move by itself. Usually when it does that the steering is really loose. Also the wheel wont straighten up by its self after i turn a corner. It just feels totally weird to meits doesnt do it all the the time, just when it wants to. So i was thinking it had something to do with the power steering pump, but it dont make any noices or anything. Can anyone help me."

Dear RY Dawg,

I have just completed my front end/sus. course in mechanics school here in Denver. I am gonna try and offer a few possible things wrong. First off, maybe it is yer P/S pump, however, all the symptoms you have mentioned sound more like basic front end component failure. First off, have someone sit in the car and you under the front end area, by the steering linkage, looking at idler and pittman arms,tie rods, steering arms, ball joints and stuff. While you are looking at it, have someone put it in neutral, turn the key over but not start it, this frees the steering wheel and can be turned easily. Now have them simply turn the wheel (it will take a little force) all the way to the left and right, a few times. Now observe the components and look (with a GOOD light) for chattering, noises, loose parts. I am guessing first off, check your idler arm and pittman arm. Idler does all the work, but pittman arm mimicks idler arm and can be f'd up. Also, steering arms can cause this easily. Honestly, ANY steering component can cause these issues. So do that. That's a good first look. Tire pressure and ride height are very important too. DONT FORGET THAT! Next...You need to jack your vehicle up, get jack stands under the lower control arms...now the front end is supported. Take off wheels and look at the spindle support and outer CV axles. With that, look at the dust boots and inspect them for rips. If they are ripped, the CV axle(s) need to be replaced. So thats about it for the front end inspection. That will get you started.

The other thing...the BIG thing...is you NEED a GREAT alignment. Not a thrust line alignment, a 4 whl. alignment that takes into consideration camber, caster, SAI (steering axis inclination) and included angle (camber and SAI). What you described by the whl. not returning after a turn is called "returnability" and can be caused by bad steering arms OR caster angle (i think) OK, so theres that. BUT, if you cannot adjust the caster angle on yer car, you can buy inexpensive kits that allow caster angle adjustment. Go to a guy who uses a newer HUNTER alignment rack and just print this out and bring it with you. He may think i am an ass (cause i am inexperienced) but i think he will agree these will help your issue. I believe you have negative caster and possible bad steering arms. Hope this helps and if you need any other info, hit me up at [email protected] PEace

[SWEATBREAD]

Ry Dawg

This Is A Common 96-99 Gm Truck Issue. The Evo Sensor Loctaed At The Base Of Your Steering Column Controls The Amount Of Pressure That Your Power Steeing Pump Provides, This Is Also Called The Steering Assist Sensor. The Are Two Seperated Sensor's That Control This. The One That You Should Replace Is The One Located On The Botton Of The Steering Column. It Is Aprox 1/2 Thick And Round. To Replace It , Un Bolt The Intermittant Steering Shaft From Insdie Your Vehicle Behind Brake Pedal. Then Slide The Shaft Backwards To The Engine Area. Simply Unpluge The Sensor That Fits Around The Base Of The Steering Column And Un Plugged It. Reinstall New Sensor And Two Intermitant Steering Shaft Bolts. Do Forget To Pluged New Sensor Back In. Gm Part # 26064468 And Cost $58.83. Let Me Know If You Need Any More Help.

[ry_dawg_420]

i found that sensor your were telling me about and i unplugged it. i drove it for awhile like that it was a little a better but the steering was still too soft. It also seemed like it was more sensitive too. i didnt like it so i plugged it back in. im gonna look at replacing it here soon. and i really noticed jerking when i accelrate a lot more too. is there something else besides the steering position sensor i should look at. thanks

[wiscorado]

yes, i think you should also look at the things i pointed out to you...ie...front end components, alignment. A bad steering assist sensor could be it as well, but you also have clearly described a returnability issue and the sensor wont fix these issues.

[Mikado14]

YES! Check your steering components and suspension as wiscorado said.

[skipr]

I do know that the pitman arm is a common failure on these trucks. Mine was completly wasted on my 1998 K1500 at 60,000 miles. But like wiscorado said, hav a 2nd person steer back and fourth while you are under front observing linkage. It will be very obvious if pitman or idler are worn. Mine was doing that too... not straightening out after a turn, but inconsistently like you stated. If the pitman is bad I hope you have a 1 5/16 in. combo wrench and a pitman arm puller.

[redlion]

Originally Posted by ry_dawg_420

i found that sensor your were telling me about and i unplugged it. i drove it for awhile like that it was a little a better but the steering was still too soft. It also seemed like it was more sensitive too. i didnt like it so i plugged it back in. im gonna look at replacing it here soon. and i really noticed jerking when i accelrate a lot more too. is there something else besides the steering position sensor i should look at. thanks

Same symptoms!!
After replacing all my front components, steering box arms ball joints ects........ it was my EVO sensor as said $58.
Cured the problem, only $1000's to late. Takes 1/2 hr to change.