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Truck jerks to left while driving.

TimoSLT

By TimoSLT
in Ask A GM Technician

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TimoSLT Enthusiast

TimoSLT

Posted
Posted

Hello Guys.

 

I have a 2008 Sierra Z71 4x4 Crew Cab with a 5.3L.

 

Occasionally when I am driving, the steering wheel jerks strongly to the left. It feels like someone has grabbed the wheel and turned it to the left.

 

I have checked all the front end mechanical parts for play and wear, everything is tight.

 

It only seems to happen when it is wet out. Leads me to believe a sensor of some sort.

 

Any ideas of what would cause this??

 

Thanks

 

Tim

scooby5121 Enthusiast

scooby5121

Posted
Posted

Bring it in and get the front end checked by a mechanic.

No sensors would tell you that your truck is jerking like that..

TimoSLT Enthusiast

TimoSLT

Posted
  • Author
Posted

alignment is good. tires not feathering or nothing, front end it tight. have it in for alignment twice a year, winter tire and mud tire change out.

gmtech4 Senior Enthusiast

gmtech4

Posted
Posted

let me look for abit

 

there is nothing in service info for your concern ,,,,,what i do know is that you can drive it with this happening

 

maybe some other guy can chime in ,i got nothing except guesses

grampadirt Senior Enthusiast

grampadirt

Posted
Posted

Being that it only happens when it's wet out,what if the wheel speed sensor gets too wet and sends a signal to the ABS module to apply the brake to that wheel causing it to pull.Maybe a wrong signal?

 

Just a wild guess.

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

To me it sounds more like a stabilitrac error. Assuming the truck has stabilitrac. If it does, try turning it off and see if the issue stops.

 

Does the pulling happen at any speed? If you let go of the steering wheel does the wheel actually turn to the left, and if left alone, the steering wheel will continue rotating to the left?

A pull caused by alignment will rarely actually turn the steering wheel. Did you have a 4 wheel alignment done? This would show if you have some issues with bent rear axle housing, or some issues with combination of front and rear alignment.

 

When caused by a bad tire, it is not sudden, and almost always displays the same symptoms. The vehicle will drive normally, except for wanting to go right or left on its own. The driver will turn the steering wheel in opposite direction, and vehicle will go straight. At this point steering wheel is turned off centre to counteract the pull. If you let go of the wheel, it will return to the centred position, and the vehicle will go off in the direction of the pull.

scooby5121 Enthusiast

scooby5121

Posted
Posted

All said, what you describe it sound like a brake issue....

Grabbing suddenly pulling the truck, while not on the Brake.

 

GUESSING....

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

All said, what you describe it sound like a brake issue....

Grabbing suddenly pulling the truck, while not on the Brake.

 

GUESSING....

 

If it was brakes, the vehicle would start to slow down, and eventually stop the vehicle regardless of position of gas pedal.

 

Another option is a sticking valve in the rack and pinion. If the valve sticks, it will apply high hydraulic pressure to the rack pushing/pulling one wheel. May be able to test this by raising from of truck and start the truck. Did the wheel turn slightly to the left on start-up?

TimoSLT Enthusiast

TimoSLT

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Being that it only happens when it's wet out,what if the wheel speed sensor gets too wet and sends a signal to the ABS module to apply the brake to that wheel causing it to pull.Maybe a wrong signal?

 

Just a wild guess.

i have thought this since i have replaced a drivers front wheel hub assembly just over a year ago

 

To me it sounds more like a stabilitrac error. Assuming the truck has stabilitrac. If it does, try turning it off and see if the issue stops.

 

Does the pulling happen at any speed? If you let go of the steering wheel does the wheel actually turn to the left, and if left alone, the steering wheel will continue rotating to the left?

A pull caused by alignment will rarely actually turn the steering wheel. Did you have a 4 wheel alignment done? This would show if you have some issues with bent rear axle housing, or some issues with combination of front and rear alignment.

 

When caused by a bad tire, it is not sudden, and almost always displays the same symptoms. The vehicle will drive normally, except for wanting to go right or left on its own. The driver will turn the steering wheel in opposite direction, and vehicle will go straight. At this point steering wheel is turned off centre to counteract the pull. If you let go of the wheel, it will return to the centred position, and the vehicle will go off in the direction of the pull.

i do have stabiltrac on this truck, shutting this feature "OFF" the jerking still happens. i fight with the steering wheel when it happens, the first time it happened i was doing about 60 mph and darted into the oncoming lane. it has done it driving through town at slower speeds aswell. truck runs true and striaght. i run a set of MTZ's and have no irregular wear, and no pulll left or right while driving down the road.

 

If it was brakes, the vehicle would start to slow down, and eventually stop the vehicle regardless of position of gas pedal.

 

Another option is a sticking valve in the rack and pinion. If the valve sticks, it will apply high hydraulic pressure to the rack pushing/pulling one wheel. May be able to test this by raising from of truck and start the truck. Did the wheel turn slightly to the left on start-up?

i have not noticed the wheel trying to turn at start up.

 

is there any pressure ports i can tee in some guages and test to see if proper pressures are in the right places??

 

 

 

thanks for all the thoughts and opinions

 

Tim

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

Can't see it being a seized caliper pin. This only occurs sometimes, and happens at speed. A seized pin is seized. It won't suddenly apply the brake on the one wheel.

 

If you pull the belt off the power steering pump what else would stop working? That would be the absolute easiest way to test for a valve sticking in the rack. Be prepared for a workout at slow speeds. Steering will also feel loose when at hwy speeds.

TimoSLT Enthusiast

TimoSLT

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Can't see it being a seized caliper pin. This only occurs sometimes, and happens at speed. A seized pin is seized. It won't suddenly apply the brake on the one wheel.

 

If you pull the belt off the power steering pump what else would stop working? That would be the absolute easiest way to test for a valve sticking in the rack. Be prepared for a workout at slow speeds. Steering will also feel loose when at hwy speeds.

 

 

i will have to look and see what else the belt drives before i go and try that test.

 

 

 

Thanks for the help, any more info or thoughts is greatly appreciated.

 

I'll let y'all know when and what fixes my problem!!

 

 

Cheers

 

Tim

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