Shake and steering problem

[Tiffani371]

I have a 2003 z71 tahoe with a 6" #rcx lift,keys cranked a little. 20x12s 35" mts. It drove perfect for the first 3 years I've had it. Routinely taken in for servicing. Got a new set of wheels back in January,had a shop put them on for me and rotate my tires since it was due. Also had them check over everything underneath it and replace as needed. They replaced driver side front wheel bearing , with a moog of course. Sway bar end links and bushings,rear sway bar links as well with rough country stuff. Along with new rcx front shocks. Idler and Pitman arm were just replaced around 500 miles prior to this with moog. They didnt find anything else wrong and sent me on my way. Immediately leaving there I noticed it was driving weird,really sensitive,floaty feeling like driving on ice. And had a horrible shake where you can't get over 55 on smooth highways or the entire truck shakes. It also has some clunking sound in the steering wheel like under the dash now. I drove it a couple times after taking it to that shop ,no more than 1000 miles. Was making a hour trip and my driveshaft completely blew apart at the rear diff. Usually you'd hear u joints before they fail but not this time. Got all of that fixed,meanwhile it's still doing the shaking above 55,floaty steering. I've taken this thing to 4 or 5 different certified shops,had it aligned and balanced 3 times. No one has found anything wrong besides one shop told me to get longer shocks. I did that and still the same. The best way I can describe the floaty feeling is you barely touch the wheel and it goes that direction and you have to correct it back. It sways a lot now as well. You constantly have to correct it because it drives everywhere. I'm completely stumped on this thing. I just want it driving how it did before they replaced parts. It's been 9 months now since then. Kinda missing my truck I recently noticed the front sway bar links weren't installed like the instructions show and were in a bind. I fixed them yesterday and still the same. I also have a rcx steering stabilizer that's almost 2 years old. Could that be going bad and cause any of this? I've read cv axles,hub assembly,wheel bearings,etc. And an out of balance driveshaft causing the shaking? Tired of throwing money at things that don't fix it. One thing that hasn't been replaced is ball joints but every shop has said they're still good. Thank you very much to anyone who tries to help me find the problem.

 

[zraffz]

My wife's truck randomly gets that super soft power steering feel to it. No idea what causes it because it's very random; perhaps the pump or the rack?

It sounds like they've checked out anything related to a shake other than a balancing issue or the steering stabilizer.

 

[M1Gunner]

It may be play in the gear box. There’s an adjustment screw that can tighten the play back up but if you try it make adjustments in very minor increments. You should be able to find a video on YouTube.

A steering stabilizer could also cause issues. You can always unbolt it, test drive and see how it handles.

When they replaced the pitman and idler arm do you know if they replaced the idler arm bracket?

 

[Rocket Man]

There's also a steering speed sensor on the steering column that can cause similar "floating" issues. That sound in your steering column sounds like the ISS either needs to be lubed or the bearing needs replacement. These 2 problems may be related since they're in the same area of your steering column. Is the shake you described in the steering column or does the whole truck shake?

 

[Tiffani371]

My wife's truck randomly gets that super soft power steering feel to it. No idea what causes it because it's very random; perhaps the pump or the rack?

It sounds like they've checked out anything related to a shake other than a balancing issue or the steering stabilizer.

Mine constantly has the loose steering problem,still not sure what it is but have read about the pump and rack as well

 

[Tiffani371]

It may be play in the gear box. There’s an adjustment screw that can tighten the play back up but if you try it make adjustments in very minor increments. You should be able to find a video on YouTube.

A steering stabilizer could also cause issues. You can always unbolt it, test drive and see how it handles.

When they replaced the pitman and idler arm do you know if they replaced the idler arm bracket?

We tightened the gearbox up over a year ago but haven't recently. Going to try that again soon. I'll unbolt the stabilizer this weekend. I took the sway bar end links off yesterday and drove it since they are a lot shorter than the ones that were on it. The shop ordered what they say was the correct parts but everything was too short. No one has ever replaced the brackets. Never thought about that honestly. Would that cause the sensitive steering?

 

[Tiffani371]

There's also a steering speed sensor on the steering column that can cause similar "floating" issues. That sound in your steering column sounds like the ISS either needs to be lubed or the bearing needs replacement. These 2 problems may be related since they're in the same area of your steering column. Is the shake you described in the steering column or does the whole truck shake?

I have noticed the clunking in my steering has recently gotten a ton worse since the problem started but it feels more like steering components shifting around since it does it when going around a corner or swerving around on the road trying to see what the problem is ,if it's the front or rear. Its so hard to keep it on our roads. I meet someone and try to do a small maneuver to stay in my lane and it just completely goes that way i turn and sways really bad. Just feel like a drunk person lol. The shake is the entire truck. I had my wheels and tires balanced and rotated and all the steering components replaced on the same day and it started as soon as I left there. I've had the wheels and tires balanced a few times now and still the same. My front tires were a little cupped and they're on the rear now but it didn't shake when they were up front. Would they possibly on the rear?

 

[Chubbs]

@Rocket Man

how knowledgeable are you on this steering wheel position sensor? I found a GM service bulletin that included my 2003 Yukon but the last time I looked under there I didn't see any wiring or connector to the column/bearing area. I think this is where my problem would be since the hard linkage checks out

 

[Rocket Man]

@Rocket Man

how knowledgeable are you on this steering wheel position sensor? I found a GM service bulletin that included my 2003 Yukon but the last time I looked under there I didn't see any wiring or connector to the column/bearing area. I think this is where my problem would be since the hard linkage checks out

I only know enough to be dangerous lol. I've just read about it here and there but I believe I located mine IIRC. You'll have to do a bit of searching. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[Chubbs]

No mention of it in the Haynes paperback. RockAuto has a listing for the steering wheel position sensor. It also lists a steering stabilizer, which my truck doesn't have so I don't accept that as a confirmation. I'm gonna double check Chiltons online and search the forums again. If any members can testify to steering wheel position sensor or lack thereof, on a 2003 4x4 I'm listening. Does everyone else's truck come with a steering stabilizer or what?

 

[Rocket Man]

Haynes and Chilton are worthless for our trucks.

 

[Chubbs]

@Tiffani371

Did you sort out the problem? I don't know if you like to turn wrenches but you can remove the steering stabilizer & test drive. If I understand you correctly, when making steering adjustments it feels like the wheels get stuck in the new direction that you put it to? The steering linkage is too tight somewhere. You need to find somebody to help you & 1 person turns the steering wheel from lock-to- lock while the 2nd person is underneath the front examining the steering linkage. Once underneath, get your hand on the steering gearbox and the pitman arm. It should be easy to see if that or the idler arm has excessive clearance in the tapered bore and the arm doesn't have enough clearance to move freely of the gearbox (pitman) or the idler & frame assembly adjacent to that. Sometimes if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. If the linkage checks out you will have to move under the hood and inspect the intermediate shafts from the gearbox up through the firewall to the bearing at the bottom of the steering column. That's probably what the problem is if you hear knocking down below your knees. The steering shaft & bearing are worn out & both should be replaced.

 

[M1Gunner]

I would also have that alignment double checked. Especially the Caster angles. Caster doesn’t effect tire wear but it most definitely will give you symptoms like your having. Just think of a chopper style motorcycle how it has its front tire stretch out or the front wheels of a shopping cart. If your caster is off, when you start to turn the wheel it will continue to go in that direction, tires kind of ‘fall’ that way. Especially so with over sized heavier tires. Ever notice those shopping cart wheels that flutter back and fourth real bad. That could POSSIBLY be what’s happening with your rig.

 

[M1Gunner]

Any updates???

 

[Tiffani371]

Sorry it's been awhile. I haven't messed with it this entire month but after the 1st of the year I'm going to get back to messing around with it to see if I can't try what you guys have said. Also can anyone answer how much movement if any you're supposed to have when shaking the front tire at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions? Driver side doesn't move but I've got some slop in the passenger side. Don't know if it's something worn for sure or supposed to have some slop.

 

[Chubbs]

Also can anyone answer how much movement if any you're supposed to have when shaking the front tire at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions?

aye yae yae

 

[Duramax05blk]

My 03 Denali had really "Floating steering" as well. I also do not have a stabilizer. There deff is a sensor its higher on the column i believe it was at the first knuckle. I have only driven about 10 miles since i replaced it. It doesn't feel different from what i could tell but, i also think i damaged it on the install. I also have brand new idler box, Idler, Pitman arm, Tie rods with sleeves.
So unfortunately i cant say if it fixed my issue but i can confirm 03 Denalis have the sensor on the steering column.