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2wd Rack & Pinion Steering Wandering

TFuzz58

By TFuzz58
in Ask A GM Technician

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TFuzz58 New Member

TFuzz58

Posted
Posted

Gentlemen - I came across your fantastic website about 3 weeks ago, have been looking through all the threads to see if I can find my problem, haven't been able to, so thought it was time to join and ask.

 

I own a 2006 Sierra SLE, Ext Cab, Std Box (6 ft), 2wd, 5.3, with rack and pinion steering. Milage is 58,000 KM (about 50,000 miles) since I bought it new. My last truck (92 Sierra Ext Cab Short Box, 2wd, 275,000 KM) always tracked straight and was easy to drive long distances (recirc ball steering). This one has always had bump steer, let the wind blow it around and wanders back and forth between the ruts. It has been in number of times, GM tells me it's fine, eveything is tight. It still has the original tires & shocks that will need to be replaced this spring.

 

Anyone else have this issue and do any of the Tech's know what would help reduce or cure this?

jro909 Senior Enthusiast

jro909

Posted
Posted

my 04 does the same thing(almost the same truck) and with new shocks it helped some but it still ain't perfect

TFuzz58 New Member

TFuzz58

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the reply.

 

About the only thing I can do is tires and shocks, so hopefully that helps enough that I can live with it. I know what I am going to put on for tires, just need to research what to do as far as shocks.

 

Cheers

ChevyTech77 Senior Enthusiast

ChevyTech77

Posted
Posted

Current alignment settings?

 

What pressures are the tires run at?

 

The rack and pinion steering trucks have a very sensitive steering feel. Very on center. Not much that

can be done about that, unfortunantly. The steering feel isn't as forgiving as the older style recirculating

ball style steering, is probably the best way that I can describe it. Think of it as the same difference as

between a older rear drive car and newer front drive car. Very similar.

TFuzz58 New Member

TFuzz58

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Not sure about alignment settings, GM say is good. I am running tires at 35 PSI (which is what the door says to) and I check them regularly. I know what you mean about sensitive steering feel, I don't mind that. My issue is even if you hold the steering wheel firm, the truck will soon wander off of center to either the left or right. Sometimes it is a bump that will send it off center, sometimes it is rut wander. It seems that if there is a good breeze from either side, it masks the problem and makes the truck easier to keep centered in the lane. The best way I can describe it is that you have to constantly play the wheel like you were driving something from the 60s.

ChevyTech77 Senior Enthusiast

ChevyTech77

Posted
Posted

"Good" alignment settings, to me, equals in spec. You can be "in spec" and the vehicle

may still have some driving ailments. Any alignment tech worth their salt will tell you that.

If you had the current alignment settings I'd be interested to see what they call "good".

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