Front end wander.

[grouch]

I have a problem with my '93 GMC C2500 RWD. The steering began to wander going down the road. I took it to a local tire shop for the front end to be checked. They told me the steering gear, idler arm and pitman arm needed replacement. They were worn and the gear was noisy to out they came and new parts went in. While I was under there, I grabbed the tie rods and they were tight. Took it out on the road and the wander was still there. No noise, but enough wander to induce the pucker factor. I stopped by a friends shop and checked the front end while the suspension was under load. Under droop, the tie rods were tight but under load, quite loose. All 4 tie rods and even the adjustment sleeves were replaced.

I went to a different front end shop for an alignment. At about 50 mph, the wander comes back. Now, the tires in back are new. I have 2 pairs of tires to put on the front. The pair I was using were swapped for another pair of used tires I bought for spares. The ones I had on the front were on it when it came out of a barn so they are at least 10 years old.

Both shops said the ball joints were good. I've had bad ball joints before and they didn't feel the same way. I've even checked the rear shackles in case one was cracked.

Anybody got any ideas? I got a newer, 4X4 truck so this one is for sale. If it needs tires, it will get them. I just don't want to throw money into a truck I'll be selling.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I have a problem with my '93 GMC C2500 RWD. The steering began to wander going down the road. I took it to a local tire shop for the front end to be checked. They told me the steering gear, idler arm and pitman arm needed replacement. They were worn and the gear was noisy to out they came and new parts went in. While I was under there, I grabbed the tie rods and they were tight. Took it out on the road and the wander was still there. No noise, but enough wander to induce the pucker factor. I stopped by a friends shop and checked the front end while the suspension was under load. Under droop, the tie rods were tight but under load, quite loose. All 4 tie rods and even the adjustment sleeves were replaced.

I went to a different front end shop for an alignment. At about 50 mph, the wander comes back. Now, the tires in back are new. I have 2 pairs of tires to put on the front. The pair I was using were swapped for another pair of used tires I bought for spares. The ones I had on the front were on it when it came out of a barn so they are at least 10 years old.

Both shops said the ball joints were good. I've had bad ball joints before and they didn't feel the same way. I've even checked the rear shackles in case one was cracked.

Anybody got any ideas? I got a newer, 4X4 truck so this one is for sale. If it needs tires, it will get them. I just don't want to throw money into a truck I'll be selling.

Upper/lower control arm bushings? They all good?

 

[Bill 1960]

How much free play (rotation) at the steering wheel before the front tire moves? And is the passenger side much difference vs driver’s side tire?

Any free play in the steering column shaft?

 

[Fless]

Do a thorough inspection of the rear end components, shocks, bushings, etc. Tighten all the bolts and nuts. Broken spring?

Wheel bearings good on front?

 

[swathdiver]

I have a problem with my '93 GMC C2500 RWD. The steering began to wander going down the road. I took it to a local tire shop for the front end to be checked. They told me the steering gear, idler arm and pitman arm needed replacement. They were worn and the gear was noisy to out they came and new parts went in. While I was under there, I grabbed the tie rods and they were tight. Took it out on the road and the wander was still there. No noise, but enough wander to induce the pucker factor. I stopped by a friends shop and checked the front end while the suspension was under load. Under droop, the tie rods were tight but under load, quite loose. All 4 tie rods and even the adjustment sleeves were replaced.

I went to a different front end shop for an alignment. At about 50 mph, the wander comes back. Now, the tires in back are new. I have 2 pairs of tires to put on the front. The pair I was using were swapped for another pair of used tires I bought for spares. The ones I had on the front were on it when it came out of a barn so they are at least 10 years old.

Both shops said the ball joints were good. I've had bad ball joints before and they didn't feel the same way. I've even checked the rear shackles in case one was cracked.

Anybody got any ideas? I got a newer, 4X4 truck so this one is for sale. If it needs tires, it will get them. I just don't want to throw money into a truck I'll be selling.

Tie rod and ball joint play is measured in hundreds or thousandths of an inch, too fine for us to tell by yanking on them. Gotta use a dial indicator. With tires ten years old I reckon you live up north, our are rotten after about 4 years. Anyway, I would replace them if they were mine, they can cause wandering too.

 

[TollKeeper]

Upper/lower control arm bushings? They all good?

Im agree with this one.. Bushings is where I would start looking... Especially on a nearly 30 year old truck!

 

[OR VietVet]

Vote #3 about the bushings and vote #2 for tire problems. Because of age I would also want to be sure the rag joint is not coming apart. There are metal brackets wrapped around the rubber in the rag joint that can hide problems. I am assuming you checked the frame mount area for cracks when you installed the new/reman gear box?

Also, as has been asked, make sure you check everything on the rear suspension. Broken centering pin, for the springs, causing a slight offset of the rear axle. Tires that are on the truck---same ply ratings or different?

 

[TollKeeper]

Because of age I would also want to be sure the rag joint is not coming apart. There are metal brackets wrapped around the rubber in the rag joint that can hide problems.

Forgive me here... RAG JOINT? Never heard of that?

EDIT: Googled it. Never heard it called that before. I have always called it a interconnect joint

 

[OR VietVet]

At RA they call it a steering connector. For 35+ years I was in auto repair shops and being as old as I am, we called it a rag joint. Not the actual name for it but all techs around my age at least know what rag joint is. Rigs that old, can have them.

 

[Tonyrodz]

At RA they call it a steering connector. For 35+ years I was in auto repair shops and being as old as I am, we called it a rag joint. Not the actual name for it but all techs around my age at least know what rag joint is. Rigs that old, can have them.

I also know this as a rag joint. The GN has one.