Do You Think This Will Fix A Loose Steering Wheel?

97SierraGMC · August 20, 2009

K6292 – Moog Upper Ball Joint - $33.41 / Each

K6477 – Moog Lower Ball Joint - $42.71 / Each

K8987 – Moog Sway Bar End Link - $16.37 / Each

K6335 – Moog Pitman Arm - $46.08

K6447 – Moog Idler Arm - $68.93

ES2836RL – Moog Outer Tie Rod End - $41.53 / Each

ES2838RL – Moog Inner Tie Rod End - $41.61 / Each

ES2004S – Moog Tie Rod Sleeve - $13.24 / Each

i want to replace everything at the same time so i am going start collecting this stuff, its really not as expensive as i thought it would be lol.. i might not need a couple things like the tie rod sleeves and the end links but i might get them just cause.

if you want i can take a video of how loose my wheel is, its kinda scary sometimes, if i missed anything that makes it sloppy let me know.

BTW, all of these prices are my prices from work, no shipping or anything this is my cost and all of them are cheaper than summit or anyplace i have found and i dont have to pay any shipping which is pretty nice, i would like to stick to Moog since it has a lifetime warranty and i plan on keeping the truck for a long time. i am also going to replace the rotors, calipers, and pads when i have the front end apart too.

Bish · August 20, 2009

I did the same on my 01 Tahoe PLUS control arm bushings. It definitely tightened up the front end. You may want to have the steering box adjusted. I also used Moog.

C. Charles Hahn · August 20, 2009

You might also need to tighten the adjuster screw on the steering box itself... that can make a huge difference.

I'm not too familiar with the front suspension on the GMT400, but is there a center link for the steering as well? (I'm assuming so) -- that would likely be worn and need replacing as well.... so you might look into that too.

97SierraGMC · August 20, 2009

so there is just a screw that could be adjusted?

tomorrow i am ordering the following:

95166R – Energy Suspension Greaseable Sway Bar Bushings - $16.64

98105R – Energy Suspension End Link Bushings - $8.65

K8987 – Moog Sway Bar End Link - $16.37 / Each

i know that stuff wont fix the steering, but one of the rubber bushings fell out and thats what got me started on all this...after that i will be buying upper ball joints

WaterGuy · August 20, 2009

Don't forget the loose nut behind the steering wheel.

And plenty of adult beverage near by.

Spurshot · August 20, 2009

I think you got it covered. I did all the above to my 99 last yr after over 200,000 miles. Tight as new now. Pleasure to drive.

dlewis1111 · August 20, 2009

You might also need to tighten the adjuster screw on the steering box itself... that can make a huge difference.

I'm not too familiar with the front suspension on the GMT400, but is there a center link for the steering as well? (I'm assuming so) -- that would likely be worn and need replacing as well.... so you might look into that too.

The center link is supposed to be a non wear item.....but who really knows

97SierraGMC · August 20, 2009

You might also need to tighten the adjuster screw on the steering box itself... that can make a huge difference.

I'm not too familiar with the front suspension on the GMT400, but is there a center link for the steering as well? (I'm assuming so) -- that would likely be worn and need replacing as well.... so you might look into that too.

The center link is supposed to be a non wear item.....but who really knows

yea, there really isnt anything to wear on that

Spurshot · August 20, 2009

Center link? Possibly the same as a drag link? The inner tierod ends are threaded into this on my 99. The drag link itself can be re-used. The pitman and idler arms support the drag link and each arm has its own joint that tie into the drag link that wears. The idler has a wear bearing/bushing as well on the frame mounted end.

97SierraGMC · August 21, 2009

Center link? Possibly the same as a drag link? The inner tierod ends are threaded into this on my 99. The drag link itself can be re-used. The pitman and idler arms support the drag link and each arm has its own joint that tie into the drag link that wears. The idler has a wear bearing/bushing as well on the frame mounted end.

its called a center link on summit racing, but yea that is the piece, i dont think that can really wear out

this weekend if i have time i will start at the steering wheel and work my way down the the wheels and find out exactly what is loose, i would still like to replace those things cause at 138,000 they are pretty much wore out by now.

Spurshot · August 21, 2009

Also, the steering box has a bushing in the output shaft that the pitman attaches to. This bushing wears out and has play that can add to steering wheel play.

C. Charles Hahn · August 21, 2009

Center link? Possibly the same as a drag link? The inner tierod ends are threaded into this on my 99. The drag link itself can be re-used. The pitman and idler arms support the drag link and each arm has its own joint that tie into the drag link that wears. The idler has a wear bearing/bushing as well on the frame mounted end.

its called a center link on summit racing, but yea that is the piece, i dont think that can really wear out

this weekend if i have time i will start at the steering wheel and work my way down the the wheels and find out exactly what is loose, i would still like to replace those things cause at 138,000 they are pretty much wore out by now.

I've just been looking into overhauling front suspensions on B-body cars and noticed that they list the center link as a wear item, and sell it as part of the replacement parts (it has grease fittings on the ends). I wasn't sure if the GMT400 setup was similar or not.