2016 Silverado 2500HD Steering woes

Dirtbiker · June 7, 2017

I do believe that the 6.0 gas truck did not come with the assisted steering. Only the diesels. Does anyone on here have a gas truck with this problem? Thank.s

Lots of the trucks in this thread are gas.

TRKLGND · June 7, 2017

Just took my 2016 2500 with 9,500 miles to the dealership today with the same issue, as soon as I told them what the problem was they already knew what was causing it. They had to order a whole new gear box so at least they are replacing and not just fixing. They said they have done 3 or 4 of these already.

Mine was the first my dealer had seen. They would not replace the steering gear because the bulletin specifically tells them not to. If the lock-tite fix doesn't hold we will have that conversation again.

Pgarrett7512 · June 7, 2017

The service advisor told me they tried to tighten the nut on one that came in and it didn't work, not sure why it didn't work but he said they just replace the gearbox.

revrnd · June 7, 2017

The service advisor told me they tried to tighten the nut on one that came in and it didn't work, not sure why it didn't work but he said they just replace the gearbox.

Probably makes more sense to swap out the whole box. From what I've read reading the symptoms, it would appear that the pittman shafts were either machined and/or heat-treated improperly. Sure the lash can be taken up, but the wear will continue.

JMO

Pgarrett7512 · June 7, 2017

So I'm just going to start with,

we all seem to be having the same issue but nothing seems to fix it.

Let me give you a little back ground.

I have a 2016 2500HD Denali that I purchased new with 12 miles on it. I'm not a fan of the rake in the rear so I wanted to get it leveled. That said I had the dealer write up tires and leveling kit in the deal. They said it would take about a week to get the tires and leveling kit. I was fine with that so I took the truck and waited for the call. During the first 2 days, I had it back to the dealership twice for alignment and wheel balance. Not knowing that the shakes have been a problem in the past, and this is my first GM truck. About 11 days went by and I got a call to bring it in for the install. Install was done, everything looked great but from that point forward I noticed that my steering would get extremely loose feeling between the speeds of +45 to 75 Mph. If I go below 45 Mph the steering gets tight and if I go above 75 Mph the steering is tight. I brought it back to the dealer and they said everything was in spec and it seems normal. So I left and noticed it was still doing it. Took it back to the dealer the next day. I was a little upset about it and told them I need it fixed and to talk to a manager. The manager came out and said " I have spoken to the owner and we have decided that we don't want your business and will not work on you truck". My level of pissed went up a few notches. I called GM Corp and explained that I have an issue and the dealer refused to help. I never received a call back from them after they said we will speak to the dealer.

I was able to find a dealer that was 2 minutes from work. So I told them of the issue and they said no problem we will fit it. Great no problem I thought, well I was wrong. I have had the truck in 7 times for this steering issue and when I get it back they say its fixed every time. So this last time I saw that GM had a TSB out on the steering box. I printed it out and gave them the TSB, since somehow they had no idea that the TSB even existed. I Got a call to pick up the truck 2 days later saying it was fixed and they followed the TSB. Great so its DONE again. Well I drive about a mile down the road and its still doing it. At this point I was so pissed off that I called GM Corp. and said this is unacceptable I want this fixed NOW. So GM called the dealer and asked what was going on, and to my surprise the GM Rep called the dealer that sold me the truck and installed the leveling kit and tires. So to surprise me again the dealer and GM said its not a warranty issue since I voided my warranty when I had the leveling kit and tires installed. No one at the dealer said the warranty would be voided it I had the leveling kit installed. I mean come on, why would I have it written up in my contract for these parts and install on a 60K+ truck if I knew I was trashing my warranty.

So I have no idea what I'm going to do at this point.

What they told you about the warranty is not correct. I had a level kit installed by the dealership when I bought mine in September, the reason I paid more to have it installed at the dealership is so I knew it would not void the warranty. My salesman told me that lift kits void the warranty but level kits do not. Not sure if your issue is resolved but they are wrong about your warranty. Btw as soon as the part arrives at the dealership (steering gear box) I am taking mine in for repair for the same issue.

GMC4Zee · June 7, 2017

Mine is a 6.0 gasser without the digital assist. All they did was tighten the jam nut and re-align . I told the service advisor that that is a temporary fix and i will be back. As most have stated, the real problem is tolerances in the gearbox which will wear more and create a loose feeling again. Wife will not be happy to have to drop truck off again as its her daily driver.Funny how on the invoice it first stated they will replace the gearbox then decided it was just a loose jam nut. Well how does that get loose in just 4k miles???

4x4Pete · June 8, 2017

Well it seems that the digital assist isn't the sole culprit. My '16 crew LTZ has the assist. Currently at 14000kms still no play- touch wood. I wonder if ungreased ball joints and tie rods are causing increased wear in the boxes. They were found untouched on my truck from new and the dealer didn't grease as part of the "free" oil changes. I found mine untouched at 5000kms and did them myself and again after the dealer missed them at the oil change. Anybody who is having this issue should have a look at the grease boots and see if they have ever been greased. A shot in the dark but no grease has to cause more friction and possibly excessive wear. Add in the improper heat treatment and you could easily see severe wear in a short time. Just food for thought. Good luck to those that are fighting for a repair.

TRKLGND · June 8, 2017

The digital assist isn't the problem at all. It is the steering box itself.

DEMAX3254 · June 8, 2017

My 2016 with 8000 miles had the steering box replaced with new pit-man arm with alignment. I do have a great dealership to work with thankfully stated this should do the trick. Just got back from a 5000 mile camping trip towing 8000 pounds through the Colorado Rockies without any issues. Steering was tight and straight the whole way. Really do like the truck and hopefully the new box is just that a new box with tighter tolerances not the same defective ones being replaced. We will see I guess fingers crossed.

peanutavalon · June 21, 2017

I noticed my loose steering two weeks ago. My truck is a 16 with 13k. Wanders and has to be corrected. Pickued it up from the shop today after the TSB 5501c was done. It did nothing. Still feels the same...What should I ask for next? New box? Thanks...

Also...do the 17's have this same problem?

Edited June 21, 2017 by peanutavalon

revrnd · June 21, 2017

Make sure to hand them PIT5501E and ask if there is an PIT5501F.

I noticed my loose steering two weeks ago. My truck is a 16 with 13k. Wanders and has to be corrected. Picked it up from the shop today after the TSB 5501c was done. It did nothing. Still feels the same...What should I ask for next? New box? Thanks...

Also...do the 17's have this same problem?

See the 1st quote. Looks like the service dep't isn't up to speed on the TSBs.

My brother had the pittman shaft replaced in Dec' & so far no issues.

Dale L · June 21, 2017

TSB? 5501c? PIT5501E? Are these service bulletins? Where do I find them please?

peanutavalon · June 21, 2017

See the 1st quote. Looks like the service dep't isn't up to speed on the TSBs.

My brother had the pittman shaft replaced in Dec' & so far no issues.

Yes I made a mistake...They did perform TSB F...I'll ask them about the pitman shaft..

Anybody else get it permanently fixed and how? thanks

jvbronco · June 23, 2017

My 2016 with 8000 miles had the steering box replaced with new pit-man arm with alignment. I do have a great dealership to work with thankfully stated this should do the trick. Just got back from a 5000 mile camping trip towing 8000 pounds through the Colorado Rockies without any issues. Steering was tight and straight the whole way. Really do like the truck and hopefully the new box is just that a new box with tighter tolerances not the same defective ones being replaced. We will see I guess fingers crossed.

Almost word for word - this was me last year. Same work done on my truck after loose steering. Similar mileage (~9000 miles), same vacation/ location (rockies), similar trip length (~3500), towing trailer, working with great dealer.

I'm now about to cross 30,000 miles without any additional issues. Fingers crossed it stays tight and I don't have to go back to the dealer