Looking for help, 99 gmc 5.3 4x4 issue

Dradonday30 · November 20, 2015

Okay im having an issue with my truck, I'm running 33/12.50 16 Mickey Thompson deegan 38s, 4x4 worked perfect when I put them on about 2 months ago, then when first snow fall came the roads were icy and when I put the truck in 4x4 the steering wheel will jerk left and right rapidly and it gets pretty scary. At first I thought it was the front tires just spinning on ice/snow but I took the truck on dry pavement and it did the same thing. But when I put it back in 2 wheel drive it drives normally. 4 auto and 4x4 is the only time the steering wheel jerks left and right. It's not just a little jerk either. I wanted to see how badly it does it so I went into a dry parking lot and put it in 4x4 gave it some gas and let the truck do its thing, the truck jerked and swerved all over the parking lot. Spilt my coffee, all my homework that was on the dash ended up on the floor. It was crazy. I've recently replaced both wheel bearings, both outer tie rods, took it for a wheel alignment 6 months ago. The only think I've really changed was putting a levelling kit on( shocks, blocks and keys) but the truck did the jerking before the lift so I don't think that has anything to do with the issue. If anybody could help me id really appreciate it. I'll be watching my post as much as I can. Thanks guys. Dradon.

99 gmc 5.3 long box

00Silverado4x4 · November 20, 2015

Have you checked your inner tie rods, pitman arm and/or idler arm. They also tend to wear out and leave you with slack in the steering. Other than that I'm not sure what to check for in your situation.

jon1143592 · November 21, 2015

Yea your not the only one. Just noticed my 02 silverados doing the same exact thing. Hopefully someone can give us some insight or has had previous experience.

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Dradonday30 · November 22, 2015

Figured out my issue, it was my pitman and idler arm, and both inner tie rods. Thought I was going to have to replace the front diff. Thanks guys really appreciate it

00Silverado4x4 · November 23, 2015

No problem, glad you were able to figure it out.

Dradonday30 · November 28, 2015

Would uneven tire wear cause an issue? I know at one point my rear tires were at 8mm and my front were like 13mm. But I rotated them and tried burning some rubber off to try even them out a bit.

Dradonday30 · November 29, 2015

Okay tonight I changed my idler arm, my pitman arm was in good, my tires are all 4mm apart from each other. I have one inner tie rode that needs to be replaced but it's not bad.

The issue is whenever I give my truck throttle in 4x4 my steering wheel will jerk to the right, almost as if the trucks spinning on ice or snow. I don't think an inner tie rod would cause the kind of issue. It's almost as if whenever there's torque the front end starts acting up. I'm stumped on what it could be. Please help me lol

00Silverado4x4 · November 30, 2015

When you are driving, what are the road conditions? Does it does this on paved road? Have you tried in gravel terrain? It may be if you're on paved it could be just the pull from the one tire that is receiving power. If you try it on gravel and it doesn't happen then I'd say it's the nature of the beast.

Treesus · April 14, 2019

My 09 sierra 5.3 Z71 steering wheel is jerking left and right violently while driving on dry pavement, now we do have crap roads here with pot holes from the freeze thaw but it started about a month ago, would do it for a minute and then go away but yesterday it started and didn’t go away. Thought I was going to lose a wheel on the highway. I’ve checked the up and down play on the wheel and it moves about an 1/8, side to side seems tight and in and out seems tight. It is a 4x4 so not sure if this could be a diff issue or what

Edited April 14, 2019 by Treesus
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Treesus · April 14, 2019

Only thing I can see it a torn diff boot

sefiroxx · April 14, 2019

Please start a new thread.

Alignment or looseness in the steering rack/gear

Treesus · April 14, 2019

The alignment “felt” fine, is there any way I can check the steering rack/gear?

sefiroxx · April 15, 2019

Raise the front end, check side to side wobble on both sides.

Treesus · April 29, 2019

So I finally broke down and took the truck into my mechanic, both from axels need to be replaced. Control arms and ball joints are good and the bearings seemed fine as well. Will let you guys know how it drives tomorrow after I pick it up. Thanks again for the input guys