Light steering

[rkf63k10]

OK, 1997 suburban,(145K miles) when driving slow or highway speed the steering seems really light. I can barley move the wheel and then I have to correct it. It's like it's floating as my wife would say. I've have an alinement, all new front steering components, bushings, shocks all. Original steering pump and gear box. It's done this since I've had it and i've learned to drive it like it is, but I would like to try to fix this problem.

[grampadirt]

You might have what's called ''Electronic Steering'' where a sensor in the power steering pump regulates the effort required to turn the steering wheel(hope I got all that right).Check the pump for a connector,it might not be attached or damaged.Are there any trouble codes present?

 

Wife's '99 Burb has this system,not sure if yours does.

[00Silverado4x4]

^^^ What he said. I don't have any ideas other than have it scanned for codes.

[T0PDOG]

You need to check something called evo sensor at the steering column, you can check it with a scan tool to check if it's working or not .

[ifixedit]

I've got a 98 Yukon, don't know the exact name of the feature but the light steering feel is supposed to activate when going slow navigating in parking lots and so on to make the steering easier. Once in awhile it will momentarily kick in when driving on the highway around curves, it can be a bit unnerving if you're not used to it as it can cause you to swerve slightly if you're not ready for it. I was told if it bugs me enough there's a wire down near the end of the steering column (under the hood) that can be disconnected, never tried it though and have just let it buck so far. The sensor in the column is probably getting a little flaky.

[1997SierraSLT]

In 1997, GM came out with the new VSS (variable speed steering) system which allowed for effortless steering at low speeds and the steering became more firm as speeds increased. It's a horrendous design that consisted of a potentiometer mounted on the steering column to sense steering wheel angle and a power steering pump mounted solenoid valve to increase/decrease line pressure to the steering box based on vehicle speed and steering wheel angle all controlled by the ECM. I've replaced this potentiometer about 5 times over the years as the steering wheel jerks violently out of your hands when cruising down the road at about 40 mpg on a nice sweeping turn. Back in 1999, I filed a complaint with the NHTSA and mine was just one of thousands regarding this issue. I was appalled at GM and NHTSA. Not once did GM issue a TSB or a recall to fix this safety issue. I wonder how many innocent folks have died because of this design flaw?

 

I'm assuming GM paid off NHTSA handsomely to keep their mouths shut and bury the complaints as this design flaw affected over a million 1997 to 1999 GM vehicles including full size trucks, SUV's, and vans. But like any corporation, the bean counters determine how much out of pocket expense there would be as a result of lawsuits vs. the expense of recalling a million plus vehicles. Guess we know which was more economical now.....don't we?

 

BTW, if you disconnect the wire harness at the back of the power steering pump, you'll have full power assist at all times and it's pretty unsettling to drive at highway speeds.