2008 Tahoe Z71 Steering "drift"

[JohnMartyH]

I have a 2008 Tahoe Z71, stock vehicle @240k miles that has recently started having some uncommanded movement in steering. Beginning last week, I have had about 3 occasions (despite driving daily) where the vehicle suddenly appears to drift to the right w/o any steering input from the driver. It corrects w/ the wheel and then no longer feels as if there is anything wrong after that point (steering feels tight/appropriate). In addition to this, today I noticed that while driving straight, suddenly my steering wheel was now in a 10 degree rotation clockwise. Moments later, "straight" was back to normal steering position (steering wheel at neutral). Can anyone help guide me on what I should be looking at for this? The vehicle was in the shop 2 days ago w/ this issue reported. They said steering linkages looked fine.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
1. Also getting intermittent "Stabilitrak Off/Service Traction Control"
2. I have a little motion and clunking when in reverse with my wheels turned that has been going on since I bought the vehicle a year ago.
3. I have replaced all front suspension component on both sides in the last 12 months (upper/lower control arms + ball joints, tie rods, wheel hubs, cv axles, sway bar bushings and linkages), so I do suspect the issue is somewhere inboard of these parts.

Appreciate any help.... Thanks!

 

[swathdiver]

Hi John,

Have you checked the steering linkages? While I don't know it well, it is in several pieces, both under the hood and under the dash. There are bushings and screws that could be the cause of your woes.

 

[JohnMartyH]

Thanks. The shop it was at 2 days ago said they checked the linkages and didn't notice anything wrong, but unsure how aggressively they looked.

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks. The shop it was at 2 days ago said they checked the linkages and didn't notice anything wrong, but unsure how aggressively they looked.

When those stabilitrak messages come up, there ought to be stored codes and a snapshot of what was going on when it happened. This data is accessed with a bi-directional scan tool like the Tech-2. The steering wheel angle position sensor may also have codes associated with it.

Am looking at a troubleshooting guide but not coming up with anything close to what you describe. Might be binding in the column. Might be time to take it in to the dealership for a diagnostic check.

 

[JohnMartyH]

I should add that I have an OBD-II scanner and there are no codes associated with any of the scans at this point.

I cannot abide dealerships and their absurd markups, so I'm gonna work it from my own angle for now. thanks for the inputs!

 

[swathdiver]

I have a 2008 Tahoe Z71, stock vehicle @240k miles that has recently started having some uncommanded movement in steering. Beginning last week, I have had about 3 occasions (despite driving daily) where the vehicle suddenly appears to drift to the right w/o any steering input from the driver. It corrects w/ the wheel and then no longer feels as if there is anything wrong after that point (steering feels tight/appropriate). In addition to this, today I noticed that while driving straight, suddenly my steering wheel was now in a 10 degree rotation clockwise. Moments later, "straight" was back to normal steering position (steering wheel at neutral). Can anyone help guide me on what I should be looking at for this? The vehicle was in the shop 2 days ago w/ this issue reported. They said steering linkages looked fine.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
1. Also getting intermittent "Stabilitrak Off/Service Traction Control"
2. I have a little motion and clunking when in reverse with my wheels turned that has been going on since I bought the vehicle a year ago.
3. I have replaced all front suspension component on both sides in the last 12 months (upper/lower control arms + ball joints, tie rods, wheel hubs, cv axles, sway bar bushings and linkages), so I do suspect the issue is somewhere inboard of these parts.

Appreciate any help.... Thanks!

Had another thought, when was the last time the brakes were serviced? How old are the calipers? I had a caliper hang up once that caused the truck to pull to one side.

 

[JohnMartyH]

I did new brakes and rotors myself in the last 12 months

 

[Geotrash]

My guess from probably 1000 miles away is a wheel bearing.

 

[Doubeleive]

I should add that I have an OBD-II scanner and there are no codes associated with any of the scans at this point.

I cannot abide dealerships and their absurd markups, so I'm gonna work it from my own angle for now. thanks for the inputs!

unless your obd scanner is a very good one it won't read any stabiltrac errors those codes are not obd codes, your standard obd reader will just come back with a blank.
most scanners that read those type of codes are in the $500+ range, the clone tech2's run about $300

also even though all this work was performed doesn't mean anything (especially after 12 months), one or more of those parts could have been defective or failed or even not installed properly, could be a wheel bearing, tie rod, sticky caliper, crap alignment, worn bushings, rack-n-pinion, control arm, a bolt. or even something else
the entire front end needs to be looked over if it's not something flat out poking you in the eye.

the front ends of the gmt900's are tons better than the gmt800's this problem should be easy to find.

 

[rockola1971]

If it aint a hub bearing.....its a ball joint(s) causing the havoc. Very easy to check. If you dont know how, there are vids on youtube on how to.

 

[ivin74]

I have a 2008 Tahoe Z71, stock vehicle @240k miles that has recently started having some uncommanded movement in steering. Beginning last week, I have had about 3 occasions (despite driving daily) where the vehicle suddenly appears to drift to the right w/o any steering input from the driver. It corrects w/ the wheel and then no longer feels as if there is anything wrong after that point (steering feels tight/appropriate). In addition to this, today I noticed that while driving straight, suddenly my steering wheel was now in a 10 degree rotation clockwise. Moments later, "straight" was back to normal steering position (steering wheel at neutral). Can anyone help guide me on what I should be looking at for this? The vehicle was in the shop 2 days ago w/ this issue reported. They said steering linkages looked fine.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
1. Also getting intermittent "Stabilitrak Off/Service Traction Control"
2. I have a little motion and clunking when in reverse with my wheels turned that has been going on since I bought the vehicle a year ago.
3. I have replaced all front suspension component on both sides in the last 12 months (upper/lower control arms + ball joints, tie rods, wheel hubs, cv axles, sway bar bushings and linkages), so I do suspect the issue is somewhere inboard of these parts.

Appreciate any help.... Thanks!

Have you checked the steering rack? Did you used oem steering components? Aftermarket don't last long

 

[Apach 031]

I just read your other post about a clunk in the rear end. I spent the better part of a year searching for the source of my intermittent wander, and rebuilt the entire front end in the process (08 Yukon). Didn't cure it.

In the end, I decided to pause, and focus on my rear end clunk. I was coming up blank on that front, too. Had pry bars on every part of the rear suspension, loaded and unloaded. Nothing. U-joints tight as a drum. Spare tire tight. Just nothing. Rockauto had a sale on suspension components, and out of desperation, I ordered lower trailing arms and panhard bushings. Guess what? Clunk was almost hugely improved, and the steering wander was alot better. I then did the upper trailing arms, and the clunk was gone.

I can't remember who posted it, but there's a post on here somewhere about making a bracket that bolts to the crossmember, and u-bolting your steering rack to it. Eliminates any play in the steering rack bushhings. That completely eliminated my wander. I think each bushing had just a bit of play, and add them all up, and the front and rear just pointed a couple of degrees in whatever direction was easy. Add it all up, and it was a nuisance to drive.

Hope it helps

 

[bsmith901]

I just read your other post about a clunk in the rear end. I spent the better part of a year searching for the source of my intermittent wander, and rebuilt the entire front end in the process (08 Yukon). Didn't cure it.

In the end, I decided to pause, and focus on my rear end clunk. I was coming up blank on that front, too. Had pry bars on every part of the rear suspension, loaded and unloaded. Nothing. U-joints tight as a drum. Spare tire tight. Just nothing. Rockauto had a sale on suspension components, and out of desperation, I ordered lower trailing arms and panhard bushings. Guess what? Clunk was almost hugely improved, and the steering wander was alot better. I then did the upper trailing arms, and the clunk was gone.

I can't remember who posted it, but there's a post on here somewhere about making a bracket that bolts to the crossmember, and u-bolting your steering rack to it. Eliminates any play in the steering rack bushhings. That completely eliminated my wander. I think each bushing had just a bit of play, and add them all up, and the front and rear just pointed a couple of degrees in whatever direction was easy. Add it all up, and it was a nuisance to drive.

Hope it helps

Thanks for your post reply! I’ve been chasing a similar clunking noise and wandering the interstate drives with my 2007 Yukon XL w/171K miles. Replaced all shocks, isolators, stabilizer bushings. Also front control arms. I’ve suspected the rear trailing arms and track bar and will check that next. With the miles they likely need a refresh anyway.