2001 Tahoe 2wd steering wander

[Battledrift69]

A few things come to mind. I have heard that if the center link is not installed in the correct orientation that can cause weird steering issues.

Also, since you have ZW7 (Premium Smooth Ride) and G65 (Manually self-adjusting rear shocks), the rear springs are weaker than a stock or Z71 spring, and the rear Nivomat shocks are self adjusting (not electronic). So if the shocks were changed to standard type, the springs should also have been changed to firmer ones. What rear shocks are on it now?

Also, the bump stops must contact the lower control arms to work properly; that's a fulcrum point in the front suspension and stabilizes things. I don't know if that would affect the steering stability but I would think that it could.

I replaced the springs with brand new z71 springs and I have Monroe Self Adjusting shocks..

The shocks and springs in the rear lifted the rear almost 2 inches so I ended up grabbing 2” leveling keys to compensate.

So now the bump stops don’t make contact. Is there a way to correct that or maybe a bigger bump stop?


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[Rocket Man]

I’ve checked several times for this sensor and I don’t have it on the column anywhere. I’ve searched and searched for another place it may be and haven’t found one.


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It’s called the steering wheel position sensor. It’s a round thing that goes around the steering shaft. Look for wires going to the bottom of your steering column, it’s there.

 

[Rocket Man]

I replaced the springs with brand new z71 springs and I have Monroe Self Adjusting shocks..

The shocks and springs in the rear lifted the rear almost 2 inches so I ended up grabbing 2” leveling keys to compensate.

So now the bump stops don’t make contact. Is there a way to correct that or maybe a bigger bump stop?


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That’s likely your problem. Raising or lowering 1” is considered acceptable using keys or adjusting your stock ones and anything over that usually results in what you’re experiencing. You’d be better off to use spindles to get 2” and go back to stock keys. There’s ways to get those bump stops raised by using a bracket or something, I’m not sure. I’ve never raised, only lowered.

 

[Battledrift69]

That’s likely your problem. Raising or lowering 1” is considered acceptable using keys or adjusting your stock ones and anything over that usually results in what you’re experiencing. You’d be better off to use spindles to get 2” and go back to stock keys. There’s ways to get those bump stops raised by using a bracket or something, I’m not sure. I’ve never raised, only lowered.

Later today I’m going to cranked it down to lower it a little bit and see if that changes anything. If that’s the case I’ll get those spindles.


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[Fless]

I replaced the springs with brand new z71 springs and I have Monroe Self Adjusting shocks..

Good that you changed the springs at the same time. Besides the steering issue, how does it ride with the Z71 springs and the Monroes? Noticeably harder, or not?

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Good that you changed the springs at the same time. Besides the steering issue, how does it ride with the Z71 springs and the Monroes? Noticeably harder, or not?

I liked my old Denali on trimmed Z71 springs. Not harsh, just more controlled. I had bilstein 4600s.

 

[Battledrift69]

Good that you changed the springs at the same time. Besides the steering issue, how does it ride with the Z71 springs and the Monroes? Noticeably harder, or not?

It’s noticeably stiffer that’s for sure, I dig it. The Monroe’s surprised me, I had a 50/50 shot of them being crap but they’re pretty decent. I tow my detailing trailer with no squat at all.


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[OR VietVet]

In the bottom of the steering wheel shaft is a sensor that goes bad, makes the vehicle have its own mind which way to go.

I only ask because I don't know but is there a sensor there on a 2001?

 

[BG1988]

In the bottom of the steering wheel shaft is a sensor that goes bad, makes the vehicle have its own mind which way to go.

You don't have electronic steering on a 2001 that was only the 2008-2013 hybrids and 2015+

the upside to electronic steering it will KEEP going straight(i.e bump/pot hole steer ) at lest under 60 mph unless the user inputs to the wheel... even if you have incorrect aliment or worn on one side it will still go straight.


with electronic steering you can actually see how not straight roads are...


this...

 

[TheAutumnWind]

You don't have electronic steering on a 2001 that was only the 2008-2013 hybrids and 2015+

the upside to electronic steering it will KEEP going straight(i.e bump/pot hole steer ) at lest under 60 mph unless the user inputs to the wheel... even if you have incorrect aliment or worn on one side it will still go straight.


with electronic steering you can actually see how not straight roads are...


this...

Steering wheel position sensors exist on the gmt800s

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4631454&cc=1411827&jsn=10599&_nck=ZExt1ysfqhqWnq+EvUNdS3Txyey60IDtnjPWF5UU9J0BWQv7pvqZbkEUk86+AYIhFUNxSQbBt9FG2lrT6pClN3E+UMh0B+u2rjCeDjRwiHPiUN1sXDvzOtIjfbSW4Ljc/uw4aD7pa3NAIap3mCm31p11IhQXinQArQjhil0kuz9E5VOqqVxMgbEuhBS0W2P51sCEh47gzwKMGYY/6HnPgjiwRl+umfdDqr9tpDBCq84=

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=9114032&cc=1432038&jsn=10521&_nck=ZExt1ysfqhqWnq+EvUNdS3Txyey60IDtnjPWF5UU9J0BWQv7pvqZbkEUk86+AYIhFUNxSQbBt9FG2lrT6pClN3E+UMh0B+u2rjCeDjRwiHPiUN1sXDvzOtIjfbSW4Ljc/uw4aD7pa3NAIap3mCm31p11IhQXinQArQjhil0kuz9E5VOqqVxMgbEuhBS0W2P51sCEh47gzwKMGYY/6HnPgjiwRl+umfdDqr9tpDBCq84=

 

[Rocket Man]

You don't have electronic steering on a 2001 that was only the 2008-2013 hybrids and 2015+

the upside to electronic steering it will KEEP going straight(i.e bump/pot hole steer ) at lest under 60 mph unless the user inputs to the wheel... even if you have incorrect aliment or worn on one side it will still go straight.


with electronic steering you can actually see how not straight roads are...


this...

Nobody said it has electronic steering Brent.

 

[Battledrift69]

Yeah I have nothing that looks like a sensor under the dash. No wires or plugs. Just the bearing I replaced on the column.


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[OR VietVet]

Yeah I have nothing that looks like a sensor under the dash. No wires or plugs. Just the bearing I replaced on the column.


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I did not look under there but I do not think my 2002 LT had the sensor but my 2005 does.

 

[BG1988]

Steering wheel position sensors exist on the gmt800s

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4631454&cc=1411827&jsn=10599&_nck=ZExt1ysfqhqWnq+EvUNdS3Txyey60IDtnjPWF5UU9J0BWQv7pvqZbkEUk86+AYIhFUNxSQbBt9FG2lrT6pClN3E+UMh0B+u2rjCeDjRwiHPiUN1sXDvzOtIjfbSW4Ljc/uw4aD7pa3NAIap3mCm31p11IhQXinQArQjhil0kuz9E5VOqqVxMgbEuhBS0W2P51sCEh47gzwKMGYY/6HnPgjiwRl+umfdDqr9tpDBCq84=

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=9114032&cc=1432038&jsn=10521&_nck=ZExt1ysfqhqWnq+EvUNdS3Txyey60IDtnjPWF5UU9J0BWQv7pvqZbkEUk86+AYIhFUNxSQbBt9FG2lrT6pClN3E+UMh0B+u2rjCeDjRwiHPiUN1sXDvzOtIjfbSW4Ljc/uw4aD7pa3NAIap3mCm31p11IhQXinQArQjhil0kuz9E5VOqqVxMgbEuhBS0W2P51sCEh47gzwKMGYY/6HnPgjiwRl+umfdDqr9tpDBCq84=

Cadillac is not a chevy you don't have variable steering module..

any electrical changes were done in MY2004+ model (because of tighter emissions control )

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Cadillac is not a chevy you don't have variable steering module..

any electrical changes were done in MY2004+ model (because of tighter emissions control )

A cadillac is not a chevy? Besides cosmetic differences they are the same truck.

2001 Suburban:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4631454&cc=1371585&jsn=10558

2005 suburban:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=9114032&cc=1431146&jsn=10673

@ 1:07 you can see the sensor on this 2002 Suburban.

 

[OR VietVet]

A cadillac is not a chevy? Besides cosmetic differences they are the same truck.

2001 Suburban:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4631454&cc=1371585&jsn=10558

2005 suburban:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=9114032&cc=1431146&jsn=10673

@ 1:07 you can see the sensor on this 2002 Suburban.

Yea, that is why I said I never saw one on my 2002 LT. Did not really look either. When I look up both years 2002 and 2005 it lists them for each rig but different part #'s for them. The one listed for the 2002 is the same as the one listed for the OP's 2001 rig.

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Brent - Shoot even the GMT400's had EVO (electronic variable orifice) Steering assist. Basically more assist at low speeds.

Most guys delete it because it is problematic, and low speed performance is fine without it. Not sure why you keep referencing "electronic steering" though. I don't think anyone has suggested that is the issue.

 

[BG1988]

A Cadillac is not a chevy? Besides cosmetic differences they are the same truck.

2001 Suburban:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4631454&cc=1371585&jsn=10558

2005 suburban:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=9114032&cc=1431146&jsn=10673

@ 1:07 you can see the sensor on this 2002 Suburban.

Well first of all the components are not always the same.... the caddies have variable effort steering the chevy does not so that is the point..... so No the Cadillac part will not work on the chevy or the chevy part will not work on the Cadillac GMT800 nice try though


starting on the 2002 model

 

[BG1988]

Brent - Shoot even the GMT400's had EVO (electronic variable orifice) Steering assist. Basically more assist at low speeds.

Most guys delete it because it is problematic, and low speed performance is fine without it. Not sure why you keep referencing "electronic steering" though. I don't think anyone has suggested that is the issue.

the newer models are using electronic steering they use a Rack and Pinion with electric motor.... very nice to use way smoother,less whining and faster response

 

[Rocket Man]

Oh sheesh, here we go...