Steering Issues Continued - Now With Video Goodness!

Ape0r · November 16, 2009

I posted this thread the other day in regard to an intermittent noise/sensation in the steering column of my truck:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=104888

I had a friend help me go over it today, there is absolutely zero evidence of any wear whatsoever on any of the steering linkages (inner/outer tie rods, pitman/idler arms) or the ball joints.

However, the steering box has a whole lot of slop in it, and makes a rather noticeable clicking noise when the shaft is rotated. Please see this video:

With your sound on, you can hear the (gears?) clicking. I wanted to do a sanity check and make sure that that much slop isn't normal before I blow $450 on a steering box. There is no pitman arm movement whatsoever when rotating the shaft like that. Note that I wasn't using the steering wheel to do that, but rather was grabbing it by the joint between the intermediate and lower steering shafts and rotating with one hand, so not a lot of torque.

A blown steering box would also explain the grinding that I have been noticing over the past few months. I am going to replace the pump while I have it apart due to a leaking shaft seal.

Thoughts? Nods on my steering box diagnosis?

Thanks!

gmtech4 · November 16, 2009

I thought you said the tie rod ends were done?

is the truck wondering ?is it the noise? thats bugging you ? I will look at the video at home but I got to say these trucks don't puke steering gears .

did a garage listen to it?,how many miles on it?

Ape0r · November 16, 2009

I thought you said the tie rod ends were done?

is the truck wondering ?is it the noise? thats bugging you ? I will look at the video at home but I got to say these trucks don't puke steering gears .

did a garage listen to it?,how many miles on it?

I thought they were after shaking each wheel yesterday with the control arms supported by my jack, but I didn't have a second person to shake the wheel for me while I looked underneath until today - no movement at all in the tie rod ends or pitman/idler arms after inspecting today. Found what you'll see in the video - what seems like a hell of a lot of play in the steering gear.

The issue is an intermittent awful GRROAAAAAAAAAN accompanied by a sensation in the steering wheel that occurs occasionally when turning the wheel at low speeds. Not sure if it wandering a little or not, may have noticed something, but it may be in my head.

Hasn't been to the garage - 101k on the clock, probably 80-90% highway. No real offroading or abuse to speak of either.

gmtech4 · November 16, 2009

I think you be alittle overzealous and are freaking out abit.

take a breath and replace the pump ,bleed it properly( tires off the ground engine off ,lock to lock several times ) and go from there younge jedi !!

I'll look at the video in a half hr

I saw the video ,omg man,change the pump and drive the truck

Ape0r · November 17, 2009

I think you be alittle overzealous and are freaking out abit.

take a breath and replace the pump ,bleed it properly( tires off the ground engine off ,lock to lock several times ) and go from there younge jedi !!

I'll look at the video in a half hr

I saw the video ,omg man,change the pump and drive the truck

Haha thanks for the guidance, really do appreciate it. My experience is limited to working at a dealer as a mechanic's assistant over the summer after my first year of college about four years ago, so I'm better at changing parts than diagnosing problems . I'll swap out the pump next week.

gmtech4 · November 17, 2009

just bleed it like I said ,you'll need a pulley puller and installer ,make a note where it is on the shaft before removal,

and I'm spent lmao

shithappens · November 17, 2009

I thought you said the tie rod ends were done?

is the truck wondering ?is it the noise? thats bugging you ? I will look at the video at home but I got to say these trucks don't puke steering gears .

did a garage listen to it?,how many miles on it?

I thought they were after shaking each wheel yesterday with the control arms supported by my jack, but I didn't have a second person to shake the wheel for me while I looked underneath until today - no movement at all in the tie rod ends or pitman/idler arms after inspecting today. Found what you'll see in the video - what seems like a hell of a lot of play in the steering gear.

The issue is an intermittent awful GRROAAAAAAAAAN accompanied by a sensation in the steering wheel that occurs occasionally when turning the wheel at low speeds. Not sure if it wandering a little or not, may have noticed something, but it may be in my head.

Hasn't been to the garage - 101k on the clock, probably 80-90% highway. No real offroading or abuse to speak of either.

My 2001 has done the same thing for years. It also has a squeak somewhere in it. If it's not one thing it's another. And a I have another, a rattle somewhere in the exhaust at 1000rpm that only happens when it's cold. Dealer can't figure it out either. Grrrrrrrrr.