Loose steering / wandering '04 Suburban

[Saabguy]

HI all, newbie here looking for some help to wit:

 

I have a 2004 Suburban LT 1500, 130,000 miles, no accidents, I've owned it since new. Recently the truck has stated to wand down the highway, I have to hold it in position, left lane wanders left, right land wanders right. Steering requires the truck to take a "set" and then I can hold it straight but this is getting old. Took it to the dealer and asked for new suspension bushings all around, new inner and outer tie rod ends and adjust the steering free play.. I'm guessing here as every other vehicle I have had has an adjustment. I mean the truck has been rock steady for the last decade so why not. Dealer calls back to say that it's all in spec and that the truck only needs an alignment and that "..this ain't no Corvette where there's adjustments to the steering.." . Granted I prefer them saying that all is fine and not having to pay a big bill but I find it hard to believe that NOTHING has worn in 130k miles. However, I don't know what usually wears out either so any input appreciated.

 

Car has factory 16" (I think) wheels, Michelin tires for the last 15k miles, most of the miles are highway, 50% towing, I did install an Alpine radio with Nav and Camera but I don't think that will affect steering.

 

 

[06pirate]

You could have some kind of issue with a tire. Before putting money into it, I think I'd just swap tires front/rear and see if it changes.

[gmtech4]

did they align it ?

 

lol,ya no adjustments anymore ,,,

 

if a veh is greased and not ratbagged ,it can last ,,,,,if ya dont think so ,,,,ya can take it for a second looksee somewhere else

[txab]

Agreed. Get a second opinion from a shop that is qualified in front-end work

[Saabguy]

Ok, I'll take it to another shop and have everything greased and alignment checked and report back..

[efritz]

Have you tried replacing the intermediate steering shaft? Common issue on these, and can cause issues with wandering. Easy 40 dollar fix, and improves steering feel as the new one is of a better design.

[Saabguy]

Have you tried replacing the intermediate steering shaft? Common issue on these, and can cause issues with wandering. Easy 40 dollar fix, and improves steering feel as the new one is of a better design.

Hmm.. it was replaced 3 times under warranty but I haven't messed with it in years I didn't even think about it causing wandering problems.. and it doesn't hurt to replace it anyway..

[txab]

Have it looked over for another opinion, prior to dropping $$ on an ISS. ISS manifest itself by clunking sound and I don't recall symptoms of wandering being associated with it.

 

So just to be clear all the parts listed in you op, were they replaced or not? Was the alignment done or not? Several things in power steering assembly might contribute to your problems. I know GM did have some units that supplied to much assist at speed allowing small movements of the wheel to be magnified

[ttopcamaro86]

Seems like your caster angle is off. You need a little for self centering and stability. Too much makes it hatd to drive. (Wiki has a decent explanation of it.) Just a shot trying too help.

[Saabguy]

Ok, so I have taken the truck to two different dealers trying to get them to grease all of the suspension points. Every time it comes back with, "Do you want us to do an alignment?" . And I ask, "Did you grease it?".. they reply no and I leave. You guys just don't understand how backward this state still is.

 

I did replace the ISS which made a noticeable difference.. next I think that I'll see what it takes to replace wheel bearings.

[gmtech4]

Ok, so I have taken the truck to two different dealers trying to get them to grease all of the suspension points. Every time it comes back with, "Do you want us to do an alignment?" . And I ask, "Did you grease it?".. they reply no and I leave. You guys just don't understand how backward this state still is.

 

I did replace the ISS which made a noticeable difference.. next I think that I'll see what it takes to replace wheel bearings.

get them inspected first before rushing into replacing

[Justinlw]

One thing that's overlooked and helped my truck is the rear track/panhard bar. If the rear has any left/right travel it will cause wandering symptoms. Hub bearings are another good place to look at that mileage.

[sahls01gmc]

Seems like your caster angle is off. You need a little for self centering and stability. Too much makes it hatd to drive. (Wiki has a decent explanation of it.) Just a shot trying too help.

I know it's old, but at least I searched before starting a new topic!

 

I just replaced my entire front end and then had a shop align it. It wanders really bad now. They did say that the caster angle on each side was slightly off, but the combined caster angle was ok. I'll post the alignment results later. They were saying that if they made the caster angle perfect, it would affect the camber and toe. Any truth to that? The only parts not replaced were the lower control arm bushings.

 

- New UCA's with bushings and ball joints

- Lower ball joints

- Inner and Outer tie rod ends

- Pitman arm and gear box

- Idler arm and bracket

 

All MOOG parts and ACDELCO reman gearbox.

[00Silverado4x4]

Jack it up again and double check that everything is nice and tight is my only suggestion.

[sahls01gmc]

That's kinda what I was thinking as well. I've only driven about 25 miles so far. I'll check it all again and make sure everything is tight, and also check grease on every location.

 

I will say, it rides like a Cadillac going over bumps now! No more weird sounds, which is nice. But I think my shocks are next to be replaced. I have the Rancho RS5000's that I purchased about 5 years and 75,000 miles ago. Any input on what shocks I should get next? No lift, and primarily use the truck for "Truck Stuff", it's not my daily driver anymore.