Everything is so cooked I don’t know what to replace first.

[cgriff401]

Long story short, lots of bushings in the front end appear heavily worn. The entire steering rack appears to move side to side +- 0.5in from center when the wheel is turned with the vehicle stationary. Additionally, the LCA bushings also have significant play (of probably a quarter inch) in the same scenario with the vehicle stationary. Are these as bad as I think?

 

[OR VietVet]

Replace it all if you do any of it.

In any thread, where you ask for info or help, it ALWAYS helps to get complete vehicle info. Is it a secret?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Sounds like you need to replace virtually the entire front suspension. But, maybe not. Before starting the project, be sure to first identify all of the components that need to be replaced, and then you can assemble a plan to address them, as time and budget permits.

If this assessment is not something that you or a friend can do yourself, then go to a trusted local repair shop and pay them to make this assessment for you.

 

[OR VietVet]

Agree with @Joseph Garcia said. I have no idea how you decided the "front end is cooked". A qualified shop will not only do a sight inspection but there are established ways to check the suspension and steering components for failure.

 

[cgriff401]

Replace it all if you do any of it.

In any thread, where you ask for info or help, it ALWAYS helps to get complete vehicle info. Is it a secret?

My bad, I actually had an edit typed up with all the info and apparently forgot to click send...

2018 Yukon XL SLT, all options standard on suspension (no air/magneride). Has a 2in level and very slightly larger than stock tires (265/65/18 to 265/70/18). 150k miles, highway for the vast majority but frequent towing. I am quite confident I could do the job myself; it's not the difficulty of the work that scares me, just the pricetag of parts. I am not extremely familiar with this vehicle so I don't know how much play in the bushings is "normal," but my first instinct is that the amount visible in the linked video might not be normal. There is a noticable clunking noise when steering close to full lock in either direction while the vehicle is in motion.

Can't figure out embedding media but I can share a drive link: Here

 

[Joseph Garcia]

My bad, I actually had an edit typed up with all the info and apparently forgot to click send...

2018 Yukon XL SLT, all options standard on suspension (no air/magneride). Has a 2in level and very slightly larger than stock tires (265/65/18 to 265/70/18). 150k miles, highway for the vast majority but frequent towing. I am quite confident I could do the job myself; it's not the difficulty of the work that scares me, just the pricetag of parts. I am not extremely familiar with this vehicle so I don't know how much play in the bushings is "normal," but my first instinct is that the amount visible in the linked video might not be normal. There is a noticable clunking noise when steering close to full lock in either direction while the vehicle is in motion.

Can't figure out embedding media but I can share a drive link: Here

You can't embed video on this Forum, so you did the right thing.

The fact that you don't know what is 'normal' tells me that you should not be the person to assess what repairs the truck needs. This is the front end of your truck, and if something lets go, say a ball joint or tie rod breaks while cruising down the highway around a bend, you will be in a serious amount of potential harm and/or death.

I still say take the truck to a trusted local shop and get it professionally checked out. Then you can determine who will make the required repairs.

For replacement parts, go with GM OEM or AcDelco parts whenever you can, and use either RockAuto.com or GMPartsDirect.com for your purchases, as they are significantly cheaper in price that the local GM dealers.

 

[cgriff401]

You can't embed video on this Forum, so you did the right thing.

The fact that you don't know what is 'normal' tells me that you should not be the person to assess what repairs the truck needs. This is the front end of your truck, and if something lets go, say a ball joint or tie rod breaks while cruising down the highway around a bend, you will be in a serious amount of potential harm and/or death.

I still say take the truck to a trusted local shop and get it professionally checked out. Then you can determine who will make the required repairs.

For replacement parts, go with GM OEM or AcDelco parts whenever you can, and use either RockAuto.com or GMPartsDirect.com for your purchases, as they are significantly cheaper in price that the local GM dealers.

Ok thank you for the advice. I’ll take it somewhere for them to assess and go from there.

 

[swathdiver]

My bad, I actually had an edit typed up with all the info and apparently forgot to click send...

2018 Yukon XL SLT, all options standard on suspension (no air/magneride). Has a 2in level and very slightly larger than stock tires (265/65/18 to 265/70/18). 150k miles, highway for the vast majority but frequent towing. I am quite confident I could do the job myself; it's not the difficulty of the work that scares me, just the pricetag of parts. I am not extremely familiar with this vehicle so I don't know how much play in the bushings is "normal," but my first instinct is that the amount visible in the linked video might not be normal. There is a noticable clunking noise when steering close to full lock in either direction while the vehicle is in motion.

Can't figure out embedding media but I can share a drive link: Here

We did our first truck at 161K and replaced the upper and lower control arms and every component of the struts and the outer tie rods. Did the rear a little while later.

At the very least, you need to replace your rack bushings, but not sure how yours is configured with electric steering. Might need new tie rods at this mileage as well. A new OE rack usually comes with new inner tie rods.

Then you can look at the suspension. With the rack moving around, it's going to eat up the tires so don't dally.

 

[Atrevino0497]

We did our first truck at 161K and replaced the upper and lower control arms and every component of the struts and the outer tie rods. Did the rear a little while later.

At the very least, you need to replace your rack bushings, but not sure how yours is configured with electric steering. Might need new tie rods at this mileage as well. A new OE rack usually comes with new inner tie rods.

Then you can look at the suspension. With the rack moving around, it's going to eat up the tires so don't dally.

You hit the nail perfectly on this one! To the T.

Replaced my entire suspension front and rear back in October. Only to get it back after taking it in for an alignment and my steering felt super loose. Sure enough… The bushings were shot. I should have been a little more thorough instead of a quick glance at the rack or just gotten a new rack and replace it to begin with. Lesson learned after 2 alignments in a row

 

[LsHart]

If u love it, fix it!! Cheaper to keep her!