Wobbly truck

Skooterdrag · August 28, 2013

I just got a chevy not to long ago while I was on the highway I noticed it started wobbling really bad I thought maybe a tire was flat or coming loose. I stopped and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I got it home to take a closer look and it was leaking power steering fluid and I took this picture. If I'm not mistaken this is the steering gear box? I'm scared to drive it just down the street because it shakes and wobbles so bad. Can anyone help? I plan to drag the truck in the future. So I need to make sure this is fixed thank you for your help

8.1HD/ALLISON · August 29, 2013

I think i would start by checking all steering and suspension components for anything loose. Might be the pic but that pitman arm looks like its cocked on the gearbox?

Sent from my LGL86C using Tapatalk 4

Doug_Scott · August 29, 2013

The leak looks like sector shaft seal. When you say "wobble", do you mean like a vibration, or is it more violent? If the truck is not stock height, you may have a bump steer type issue. Is this a 4wd?

If you are getting the wobble from steering geometry it can be a violent shake, with the steering wheel moving about 2 to 4 inches side to side. If you have play in the pitman arm, idler arm, centre link and or tie rod ends, and the truck raised, you have the recipe for bad "head shake". Sometimes you can make the wobble stop by braking hard when it starts. I have had cars with very high castor settings and loose steering gear parts do that, car about jumps off the road and you can actually see the front tires shaking side to side when following the car.

Skooterdrag · August 29, 2013

It's violent and no the truck is all stock the steering wheel moves about 2-3 inches and can loose control of it if I don't have a tight grip and no it's 2wd everything else seems fine but where that gang is and leaks power steering when I turn the wheel I can't go over 15-20 mph without it shaking real bad and if I get about 60 it stops briefly...

Doug_Scott · August 29, 2013

It's violent and no the truck is all stock the steering wheel moves about 2-3 inches and can loose control of it if I don't have a tight grip and no it's 2wd everything else seems fine but where that gang is and leaks power steering when I turn the wheel I can't go over 15-20 mph without it shaking real bad and if I get about 60 it stops briefly...

You will need to get the front end checked out. This sounds like you have worn out components. You will want to see if the front end alignment is close to specs. Most shops will not do an alignment with worn parts, but, explain that you want to ensure there is no frame damage that is causing the alignment to be way out. High castor setting with worn parts can set up that wobble. It will sometimes be driving pretty good at 30mph, then one wheel hits a small pot hole and that sets off the wobble.

When you got the truck did it have an inspection done? No idea what Texas does in regards to vehicle registration and sales, but, in Ontario a vehicle must have a safety inspection done before being able to put plates on the vehicle. That inspection will catch worn parts right away(assuming it was done legit). How many miles since you bought the truck?