Steering Backlash

[jro909]

what causes steering backlash? and is it harmful?

[ChevyTech77]

Steering backlash? Never heard the term. Explain.....

[jro909]

say you hit a bump, the steering wheel will lash in the direction the wheel(s) is being forced in

[ChevyTech77]

What build of truck?

 

What size wheel and tire package?

 

How many miles?

 

Any repairs done?

[jro909]

uh 04 z85 1500 uh all the repairs were for driveline related stuff nothen with the suspension..tires are stock size 255/r16

 

120k miles, almost every gm truck i've driven does it, something about independent front suspensions don't have a steering stabilzer or somthen

[ChevyTech77]

Maybe a little shake, nothing that I've ever felt as normal that was violent though, in 14 years of working on them.

 

Check the front shocks. That's what causes most, what I call "head shake", issues.

[jro909]

brand new shocks man, when i say lash i me the steering wheel turns itself slightley in the direction the tires are forced to go because of a bump or pothole

[sceptre]

brand new shocks man, when i say lash i me the steering wheel turns itself slightley in the direction the tires are forced to go because of a bump or pothole

 

 

That sounds pretty normal, in my experience. The problem I've come across mostly is where there is "deadband" in your steering wheel....thats about the best way I can describe it. You can turn your wheel an inch or so in each direction before it makes any difference to your direction of travel.

[gmtech4]

lustworm.......WTF are you talking about ..... if you hit something the force is gonna move something and if its your tire ....the steering wheel will move ,,,normal