Loose Steering, Maybe yall got some ideas

[LongrangeLauber]

I have an '02 Silverado with 325k+ miles on it, and the steering is a little loose. Now, I have replaced the pitman and idler arms, steering box, ball joints, basically anything you could think of in the front suspension. To keep straight/true, I have to constantly shake the steering wheel left and right. The steering box I replaced the old one with was a reman, so maybe that could still be the problem. But does anyone know if these models were suspectable to loose steering issues, or could something still be wrong? I know someone with a '00 Yukon XL and it does the same thing, but they also have a little over 200k miles. Any suggestions would help. It sucks towing or highway driving, because you cannot relax behind the wheel.

[ruggedlife]

you say everything you can think of in the front suspension but i'll still throw some things out there. upper and lower control arm bushings. (assuming you obviously did inner and outer tie rods) all the sway bar bushings. also if your rear leaf spring bushings are extremely worn it will let the truck walk around. have you replaced the steering shaft?. bearings in the steering column?

[LongrangeLauber]

I've redone control arm bushings, inner and outer tie rods, and leaf spring bushings. Have not tried swapping the steering shaft or steering shaft bearings. Not sure if that would help, and sounds time consuming. I will see what it takes

[telo]

With all you describe, I'd look into the steering box

[LongrangeLauber]

With all you describe, I'd look into the steering box

 

Think it'd be wise to invest in one from the dealership? I'm sure that would cost a pretty penny

[00Silverado4x4]

Think it'd be wise to invest in one from the dealership? I'm sure that would cost a pretty penny

 

Look at Rockauto.com, OEM parts for less than dealer prices.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

I have an '02 Silverado with 325k+ miles on it, and the steering is a little loose. Now, I have replaced the pitman and idler arms, steering box, ball joints, basically anything you could think of in the front suspension. To keep straight/true, I have to constantly shake the steering wheel left and right. The steering box I replaced the old one with was a reman, so maybe that could still be the problem. But does anyone know if these models were suspectable to loose steering issues, or could something still be wrong? I know someone with a '00 Yukon XL and it does the same thing, but they also have a little over 200k miles. Any suggestions would help. It sucks towing or highway driving, because you cannot relax behind the wheel.

 

 

What you are describing sounds like the "rag joint" on the steering shaft is about shot. They all get sloppy like that after a while. Your best bet would be to have that part cut out and have a solid piece welded in....On my 2000 ZR2 I used a section out of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, worked great and tightened it up.

[LongrangeLauber]

What you are describing sounds like the "rag joint" on the steering shaft is about shot. They all get sloppy like that after a while. Your best bet would be to have that part cut out and have a solid piece welded in....On my 2000 ZR2 I used a section out of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, worked great and tightened it up.

 

I looked up the rag joint and grand Cherokee swap for my truck. sounds like a good idea. Did you get a used one from a junkyard or did you buy a new one online? I would like to correct my steering soon, because I actually got pulled over one time for swerving, cop thought I was drinking haha

[LongrangeLauber]

Just went out and looked at my steering shaft. I do not have a rag joint but rather a u-joint. I guess they switched designs when they switched body styles. Could the u-joint possibly be bad? Or is there a rag joint further up the shaft?