overlookingsea
Salt Water Bath...
I changed out the Pitman arm, Idler arm and Idler arm bracket on my 2005 Yukon XL Denali 218k miles. I was going for the new year NH inspection and two places failed me because of Pitman/Idler arm play. I didn't agree, even with the wheel shake test, but I don't have any say in this... Either replace or don't drive it... a failed test for safety puts the truck in park apparently.
So, I ordered Moog HD parts, and replaced them. Not a fun job, but got it done with a little tool rental help from Autozone.
Now there is about one inch play in the steering wheel where there was none before. It used to drive straight and true with smooth turning. NOW it feels really weird. There is good feel and response at steering wheel during a turn, but the wheels feel as though their going to get away from me. Kinda hard to explain. Only to say that driving down a flat, straight road, I can move the wheel about an inch now without instant response.
What did I do wrong?
I used pickle fork for idler arm to center link and just pulled out the idler arm and bracket together. (reassembled new parts on bench to 80 ft lbs per Moog CC agent). Used pickle fork again on Pitman arm to center link. Used Pitman Arm Puller, but had to cut a line in old part to free up from steering box shaft (didn't damage splines as I only went about 90% through ). I did have to use an air hammer with chisel briefly in that cut groove to free up enough for Puller to work. Perhaps that action shook too much and damaged something inside Steering Box??
Also, Inner and Outer Tie Rods replaced with Moog about six months ago. No leaks and seem tight. There doesn't appear to be any real wheel movement when testing on jack stands.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
So, I ordered Moog HD parts, and replaced them. Not a fun job, but got it done with a little tool rental help from Autozone.
Now there is about one inch play in the steering wheel where there was none before. It used to drive straight and true with smooth turning. NOW it feels really weird. There is good feel and response at steering wheel during a turn, but the wheels feel as though their going to get away from me. Kinda hard to explain. Only to say that driving down a flat, straight road, I can move the wheel about an inch now without instant response.
What did I do wrong?
I used pickle fork for idler arm to center link and just pulled out the idler arm and bracket together. (reassembled new parts on bench to 80 ft lbs per Moog CC agent). Used pickle fork again on Pitman arm to center link. Used Pitman Arm Puller, but had to cut a line in old part to free up from steering box shaft (didn't damage splines as I only went about 90% through ). I did have to use an air hammer with chisel briefly in that cut groove to free up enough for Puller to work. Perhaps that action shook too much and damaged something inside Steering Box??
Also, Inner and Outer Tie Rods replaced with Moog about six months ago. No leaks and seem tight. There doesn't appear to be any real wheel movement when testing on jack stands.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
