[SOLVED] 2012 Yukon Denali, between 10 to 15 mph the front end sways

[testdepth]

I can see the front end move while driving.

Front end makes no noises while this happens. I have done no recent work to the suspension or tires. This happens while driving straight at 10mph to 15mph and is very noticeable like the front tire might come off. Once at higher speeds it does not do this. Only noticeable at the low speed.

What might cause this or where can I begin to look?

 

[Doubeleive]

Front end makes no noises while this happens. I have done no recent work to the suspension or tires. This happens while driving straight at 10mph to 15mph and is very noticeable like the front tire might come off. Once at higher speeds it does not do this. Only noticeable at the low speed.

What might cause this or where can I begin to look?

for starters jack it up and inspect the hubs and steering linkages, that is not normal at all. A problem that severe should be pretty easy to find

 

[Joseph Garcia]

The first thing to do is to take the truck to a local trusted shop and get it on a lift. There are many potential items that 'could' cause a low speed drift, so a thorough inspection of the entire front end will either identify the source of your issue, or remove many items from the potential cause category.

 

[testdepth]

I put it in the air and found nothing obvious. This is a rear wheel 2wd truck so no front CV axles. All ball joints look fine. There is a little play in the bearing when I move the tires side to side but it's very small. Here is a video of what is happening around 12mph and the truck starts this subtle rocking motion. Nothing is felt at higher speeds. Steering wheel does not move while this is happening.

 

[Fless]

I put it in the air and found nothing obvious. This is a rear wheel 2wd truck so no front CV axles. All ball joints look fine. There is a little play in the bearing when I move the tires side to side but it's very small. Here is a video of what is happening around 12mph and the truck starts this subtle rocking motion. Nothing is felt at higher speeds. Steering wheel does not move while this is happening.

Set your video so it's not PRIVATE, so we can view it.

 

[testdepth]

Set your video so it's not PRIVATE, so we can view it.

Says it's PUBLIC

 

[Doubeleive]

Says it's PUBLIC

take it and have the alignment checked

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I put it in the air and found nothing obvious. This is a rear wheel 2wd truck so no front CV axles. All ball joints look fine. There is a little play in the bearing when I move the tires side to side but it's very small. Here is a video of what is happening around 12mph and the truck starts this subtle rocking motion. Nothing is felt at higher speeds. Steering wheel does not move while this is happening.

You used the word 'look' a lot in your reply. Did you actually perform physical tests, like for example putting a crowbar under the tires and actually flexing the suspension to determine ball joint condition?

I'm not questioning your knowledge, I'm just asking if you performed the standard 'physical' checks that a Mechanic goes through when assessing the condition of every part of the suspension.

 

[dkad260]

Have you hit any potholes or similar recently? With the front tires off the ground, does the tire wobble when turning it? Could be a separation of a belt inside the tire.

Could also be a rear tire separation.


Lift each front tire off the ground about an inch by the lower control arm, not the frame. Place a prybar under the tire and lift up, see if the lower ball joint moves up and down.

Grab each tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock position and try to tilt or rock the tire, if you feel it loose, then I would suspect a hub and bearing...it should not move. Another telltale sign of a bad bearing is a mud tire sound when driving, more pronounced when turning slightly.

With the vehicle on the ground, wheels turned to full lock, have someone slightly wiggle the steering wheel back and forth, very slightly...and look for movement on the tie rod ends.

The video looks like a pretty strong wobble, I would absolutely have it looked at if you can't find anything.

 

[dkad260]

I watched the video again and I did not see the steering wheel wiggle, just the keys, is the wheel steady or does it shake? I'm not fully convinced the issue is in the front, I would check the rear control arms and the track bar or somewhat of a panhard bar that goes diagonal behind the diff cover,.make sure it's tight.

Have you done any rear axle work recently, brakes, fluid change? What about the rear tires, has any of them been replaced with one being worn and one being new, also, same make and model of rear tires? That is important.

Where I'm going with this is if the rear is secure, nothing loose, no warped rotors, then maybe, and this is a stretch, if you have a LSD (limited slip) and not the G80, you could be getting clutch engagement in the diff then releasing if one tire is larger in circumference. This could shimmy the rear making the front wander since it's a rigid frame.

Just trying to toss out as many possibilities as I can without seeing it. Also if you have recently hit something like a curb, the front tires could be toed out causing a wander.

What work has been done to it in the last few months?

 

[j91z28d1]

I gotta say that looks like a rear tire separating.

 

[petethepug]

2nd on taking it in to a good shop or dealer for a no cost “safety inspection”. Let them know you’re not willing to spend more than $2400 if they find anything.

Take the inspection info and run!

 

[testdepth]

Front end left and right shimmy at low speed remains. At anytime while slowing down or accelerating between 10 to 15 mph the front end wiggles side ways left and right noticeably. While this happens the steering wheel never moves and there is no noises. Tires are newer with plenty of tread and have 35 to 36 psi in each. I have had this truck on the HWY with no issues. 20 mph to 90 mph it drives fine without this problem. It only happens at low speed. This truck is rear 2 wheel drive. It definitely feels like the front end passenger side.

 

[Marky Dissod]

It definitely feels like the front end passenger side.

If it FEELS like the front rider side, switch that tire to the left rear.
If the sensation follows, you narrowed it down to that tire and wheel.

 

[dkad260]

If it FEELS like the front rider side, switch that tire to the left rear.
If the sensation follows, you narrowed it down to that tire and wheel.

Or, put the spare tire on and see if replacing one wheel/tire eliminates the shake.

@testdepth what about the rear axle?? Any work done as previously asked?

 

[j91z28d1]

if it happens that slow can you get someone to stand outside and you drive by at 5mph and they look at the wheels and see what's wobbling?

 

[Fless]

if it happens that slow can you get someone to stand outside and you drive by at 5mph and they look at the wheels and see what's wobbling?

Or put a GoPro on the ground and straddle it slowly to see if the video tells anything.

 

[testdepth]

if it happens that slow can you get someone to stand outside and you drive by at 5mph and they look at the wheels and see what's wobbling?

I tried this but could see nothing obvious

 

[testdepth]

Or, put the spare tire on and see if replacing one wheel/tire eliminates the shake.

@testdepth what about the rear axle?? Any work done as previously asked?

swapping tires is a good idea and I will try that.

No work has been done to the rear axle area.

 

[Doubeleive]

@testdepth you do not mention anything about alignment, when was it last aligned? it could be something as simple as that although usually the wobble happens at higher speed rather than lower.