1997 chevy 1500 steering

[stevesatx]

I have a 1997 chevy 1500 2 wheel drive. when I'm driving along and switch lanes the steering skips. It started only doing it to the left now its both. Had an alignment done but still doing it. I even put an addative that sad would help skipping, helped alittle. Any Ideas?

[Fireplug]

skipping?????

[mawanimal]

I have the same problem. It seems that when you turn it to the left just a little or to the right that the steering pops loose like you got past a stuck point in the steering. When you turn it back a little, all is well again but once you go a little further to the left it pops loose again (same thing on right side). I have had the Pitman Arm replaced and the idler arm replaced (alignment done of course) which helped the problem but did not solve it. It still pops loose either to the right or left. I found that it only does it when it is cold. Please help me if you have solved this as it is very annoying and hard to drive. It started doing this probably about 80,000 miles. Thanks.

1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
350 V8 5.7L
92,000 miles

[mawanimal]

I talked to a trusted mechanic of the family and he says it sounds like the ball joints might be going out. However, before you spend that money you should disconnect the speed sensitive steering and see if that is the problem. If the problem does not go away, then the mechanic can disconnect the tie rods, put a jack up under the control arm and load up the ball joints. Grab the wheel and see if there is a tight spot. This is 6 hour labor charge if all of the ball joints are replaced. Just thought you would like to know.

1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
350 V8 5.7L