I have recently aquired a 2001 yukon xl and have been bringing it back to good health. It runs well and is now fairly solid in the front end but I find the steering to be much too light at highway speeds for my taste. The steering effort around town is about right but above 50 or so it seems to get lighter instead of heavier. This results in small deviations in direction that are completely unfelt in the wheel. I realize that these things are a bit of a sailboat in a crosswind but this is occurring all the time. I have read about changing the orifice in the PS pump but don't have any clear info. Can anybody offer a cure?
Too Light Steering
- Thread starter rv8pilot
- Start date
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ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)
Full Access Member
shocks shocks shocks
that would be the first thing to consider when i first got my tahoe it was due for new shocks and the steering was very squirrely on the freeway
its pretty easy to check the shocks just go push down on the front end hard and if it rebounds more then once then its schocks
that would be the first thing to consider when i first got my tahoe it was due for new shocks and the steering was very squirrely on the freeway
its pretty easy to check the shocks just go push down on the front end hard and if it rebounds more then once then its schocks
A good thought, and thanks, but the shocks are new as are the ball joints, sway bar links, intermediate lower and upper steering shafts. Nothing seems sloppy or even a bit iffy in the suspension or steering. Something odd though, I recently changed over to a hydro brake booster and the steering seems a little tighter on the highway. Maybe a bit lees pressure available fro the steering box?
clandr1
Full Access Member
Chris, thanks for the links on the position sensor, I will check it out. Do you know if the 2001 Yukons had this? This thing has a lot of complex bells and whistles so it would not surprise me. Based on the info in the links it makes a lot of sense.
clandr1
Full Access Member
It appears so. I looked up a 2001 GMC Yukon XL SLT model on O'Reilly's website and it came up with a part:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...498&keyword=steering+wheel&pt=04556&ppt=C0033
sumo
dn ʇǝƃ ʇuɐɔ & llǝɟ ı
You want light steering? My dads 93 caddy fleet wood can be driven with just a pinkey. You can give the wheel a quick spin and it will rotate 1.5 times lol
Joshuasvt
Member
If the steering feels loose then try this.
Take off the plastic cover that's behind the steering wheel. It's where your emergency flasher switch is. Then turn the wheel to the 3 and the 9 o'clock position. You'll see two torx bolts respectively. They may have yellow markings on them. Even though they are locked in from the factory they tend to back out. Tighten both down and see how that feels.
Take off the plastic cover that's behind the steering wheel. It's where your emergency flasher switch is. Then turn the wheel to the 3 and the 9 o'clock position. You'll see two torx bolts respectively. They may have yellow markings on them. Even though they are locked in from the factory they tend to back out. Tighten both down and see how that feels.
JonnyTahoe
Full Access Member
I'm not sure if your having the same problem as I am but it sounds like it. Yes around town its Perfect but at highway speeds I have to make sure I don't bump the wheel or the truck will make a move that my older '95 does not make.
John, you hit the nail on the head. It requires too much concentration on the highway just to keep in lane because there is no centering feel. It does seem to be less of an issue since I installed to Hydra Boost. (How can it be Hydro Boost when there's no water in it? Hmmm?)
JonnyTahoe
Full Access Member
It is nice to know that it's not just you that is having the problem if you could call it an actual problem. If a person never had another vehicle to compare it to you would think it's just fine.
Joshuasvt
Member
No problem. I found it in the forums here although I forgot who the op was. Just passing on info. It helped my steering out quite a bit. Can't wait to feel the difference after the air ride is replaced with the z71 suspension and the pitman arm is replaced.
As yes, the Pitman arm. I was all set to replace mine along with the idler arm until I found I had to pull the steering gearbox. That has slowed me down a bit. It doesn't look all that difficult, I just didn't feel like dealing with it as both arms seem ok at this point. Still, everything I haven't replaced has almost 234K miles so who knows?. Still haven't checked out the Torx bolts, maybe tomorrow, I'll let you know if there is change or improvement.
Chris, I have a question if you are still following this. I am at a loss to understand what exactly the steering position sensor does. I follow that it electronically could sense the rotation speed and/or position of the steering wheel but I don't see any connection to the power steering hydraulic system nor can I find it in the wiring diagrams I have (Haynes Manual). Neither the power steering box or the PS pump have electrical connections and I don't see any sort of valving or metering system on any of the lines so I don't understand how it could change the PS system pressure or flow. Any enlightenment you can provide will be appreciated.
clandr1
Full Access Member
I figured someone on the internet had already explained it better than I could, so I hit up Google and here is one response that seems to make sense. I realize it is for a completely different model, but I'm assuming it works similarly on our trucks.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...position-sensor-what-does-do.html#post2983883
The Steering Wheel Position Sensor is just that: it senses wheel position and wheel turning rate as one of more than a dozen body and drivetrain sensor inputs to the active suspension, stability, and ABS systems. There is also a magnetic function which increases steering wheel turning effort required as vehicle speed increases - at high speeds there is practically no power steering function. It is wrapped around the lower steering column and requires column removal for replacement.
Chris, I checked in GM Parts Direct and found p/n 26084178 for my 2001 Yook. Googling that number, I found another GM listing that broke it out in more detail and listed it for 2002+ models. I decided to look how these sensors work and what they do. I couldn't find anything specific to my truck but found this info in the following forum: http://www.gmforum.com/2000-2005-90/steering-wheel-position-sensor-225179/
"You've got basically the right idea,but there'* quite a bit more to the Stabilitrac System............along with the ABS system(to detect a wheel losing traction),.the steerinng wheel position sensor works in conjunction with the stability sensor(a lateral accelerometer located at the center of the car[I know in the Grand Prixs it'* under the center console between the seats]),......when the two sensors detect a discrepancy between the direction you are steering(steering wheel position sensor)and the direction your car is Actually going(lateral accelerometer) it kicks in the Stabilitrac.........and depending on whether the car is oversteering (rear wheel losing traction during a turn/curve,causing the back of the car to 'spin out') or understeering(front wheel losing traction during a turn,causing the car to 'plow through'/miss a curve) the Stabilitrac System will apply braking to Either the outside FRONT brake(in oversteering) or the inside REAR brake(in understeering)."
I think now that there is no steering position connection to the PS system in my truck but to the ABS and possibly the traction control system. I don't think I have a "Stabilitrak" system per se but it does have traction control. I know this works as I punched it going up a tight right-hand rising off-camber turn in the rain and it hooked up and just went.
I went back and looked at the GM Parts Direct listing and realized that is where I found the 2002 reference. If you expand the application for GMC Yukon XL 1500 you will see that 2001 is not listed although the page does say its for 2001 under Product Description. Confusing. eh? Here's the link:
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/gmc/yu...eering-column-****/?part_name=position-sensor
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clandr1
Full Access Member
Boy, I'm afraid I'm out of anything of value to contribute at this point.
Maybe you could call a local dealership and ask them what may be causing the light steering issue. I'm sure they will want you to bring it in, but maybe you'll luck out and find someone who's willing to give you free advice and knows what he/she is talking about.
Maybe you could call a local dealership and ask them what may be causing the light steering issue. I'm sure they will want you to bring it in, but maybe you'll luck out and find someone who's willing to give you free advice and knows what he/she is talking about.
