2004 Yukon - Feels like Ice Skating - HELP!

[CO3_Yukon]

I have a 2004 SLT Yukon with 109,000 Miles. Tires have good tread. In the last 60 days I had an auto repair place replace the "front end" because when it was very difficult for me to make tight turns. I barely understood the scope (I'm sorry!! I know I should not admit that!) After that was fixed, I am now able to make tighter turns (think like parking in a very tight public parking garage) BUT now I have this issue when I drive ~45 mph +, the car feels like it's gliding / ice skating on the road. It feels very uneasy. Any ideas what it could be? I don't know where to start.

I live in NYC (Manhattan) and I do not have a reliable. consistent, trustworthy person to help fix. Previously I went to the GMC dealership in Queens and did not find them helpful, they didn't identify real issues that others found, so I am not inclined to go back.

Hoping someone here can help point me in the right direction!! Any help would be much appreciated!!!

Sincerely,

CO3_Yukon

 

[homesick]

I don't know a specific answer for you, but the big SUVs from Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac are all the same under the skin.

If you find a dealer of any of the three that you trust, you'll be good.

joe

 

[mikez71]

Did they align your front end afterwards? Could be not enough caster..

Might take it back to the repair shop and let them know the issue.

 

[Fless]

Several things come to mind, including returning it to the shop that did the work.

If this is a 4wd truck, make sure it's in 2wd.

Do the front jounce stops contact the lower control arms at ride height? They should.

Perhaps they removed and improperly installed the steering center link. @mattbta posted info here:

Wheels plowing/dragging at low speed

If you look at the ends of the center link they go forward and down twoards the sway bar on yours it looks like. Mine go backwards and away from the sway bar. And as far as i know, mine is factory.

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

@SnowDrifter also posted info:

Tahoe swaying side to side on interstate/bumps

Long story short, ive been fighting this damn swaying since december. I have a 3/5 drop..djm arms, stock keys, tonys coils with helper bags in the rear, relocation kit and thats tight..belltech SP shocks in rear and bilsteins in front. All new steering parts 2 years ago. Fresh alignment this...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I'd take it back to the place where you had the front end work done and have their mechanic go for a ride with you and show him your skating issue in person.

 

[RET423]

You don't have enough positive caster in your alignment, nearly impossible to have too much but to little makes it feel like it doesn't want to go straight ahead but instead wander constantly with every road variation

 

[Fless]

Show us a pic of your before and after frontend alignment. Alignment shop should have provided one.

 

[LsHart]

Is the rear panhard bar bolted in? Trac arms? If ur lowered and or stock, hitting the 18 wheeler grooves in the road will aways make the vehicle wonder.

 

[EvergreenZ71]

That sounds like kind of the opposite to what was done to my old 92 2500 Suburban.
Tire shop said they couldn’t align it properly and needed suspension work. Prior to the work it damn near turned like a compact car, but I believe the sway bar was replaced which stabilized the suspension better and reduced the tightness of the turn causing it to turn like a truck normally does.
Maybe they used excessively weak components in the process of improving the turn radius and there’s too much play in the system?

 

[Tony_2000Yukon]

Hi C03-Yukon! I drive a 2000 Yukon SLT 4X4. I am amazed because I am going through the exact same situation. I had the front end done a week ago, replaced lower arms, hubs up front, and new brakes all around. Same feel, like the front end is floating and not making full contact with the road, steering went from truck like to very light, and there is a little more play in the steering. I have a good mechanic been going to him for over 12 years now he is located in Manhattan. I was in the limo biz for 35 years in NYC, so I know not to bring an old car out of warranty to any local dealership. They won't take the time to resolve the issue and in the end hang you out to dry $$$$!! My trust level with dealerships in the Tri-State area is extremely low. I also didn't get an alignment, yet, but I will be going back to my mechanic to see what he has to say. We are both in the same boat at the moment, and should try to stay in touch or even meet up some day and compare notes. I am on the UWS.