2016 Silverado 2500HD Steering woes

meanchevy1 · November 29, 2016

Heading to dealer, service man says they've seen two of these before, they just replace steering box

Marytuky · November 30, 2016

Been there done that!

I had all the same steering slop in my GMC SLT 2500HD, F! 6000ish miles

I took it to my local GM dealer along with PIT 5501C.

They read that 5501C and started to laugh, literally.

They confirmed the problem/fluid leak and ordered a complete new steering gear box( which was on national back order and took a week to arrive), they didn't even try to follow protocol in PIT5501C.

Today I took the new PIT5501D into the dealer and talked to the mechanic that worked on my truck, I guy I trust.

He told me, he would never try PIT5501C or D. . He told me it is a very complicated system and setting it to OEM is difficult and that I would never be happy with the steering if they attempted to follow the PIT5501 C&D. That's why they just ordered a complete new steering gear box to begin with.

Fingers crossed all good now.

meanchevy1 · November 30, 2016

Been there done that!

I had all the same steering slop in my GMC SLT 2500HD, F! 6000ish miles

I took it to my local GM dealer along with PIT 5501C.

They read that 5501C and started to laugh, literally.

They confirmed the problem/fluid leak and ordered a complete new steering gear box( which was on national back order and took a week to arrive), they didn't even try to follow protocol in PIT5501C.

Today I took the new PIT5501D into the dealer and talked to the mechanic that worked on my truck, I guy I trust.

He told me, he would never try PIT5501C or D. . He told me it is a very complicated system and setting it to OEM is difficult and that I would never be happy with the steering if they attempted to follow the PIT5501 C&D. That's why they just ordered a complete new steering gear box to begin with.

Fingers crossed all good now.

Yeah, I brought in the bulletin numbers and the service guy told me that its better if they don't include them on the work order as it makes it look the owner is fishing for problems.

Agriont · November 30, 2016

Been there done that!

I had all the same steering slop in my GMC SLT 2500HD, F! 6000ish miles

I took it to my local GM dealer along with PIT 5501C.

They read that 5501C and started to laugh, literally.

They confirmed the problem/fluid leak and ordered a complete new steering gear box( which was on national back order and took a week to arrive), they didn't even try to follow protocol in PIT5501C.

Today I took the new PIT5501D into the dealer and talked to the mechanic that worked on my truck, I guy I trust.

He told me, he would never try PIT5501C or D. . He told me it is a very complicated system and setting it to OEM is difficult and that I would never be happy with the steering if they attempted to follow the PIT5501 C&D. That's why they just ordered a complete new steering gear box to begin with.

Fingers crossed all good now.

Oh man, I hope that mine makes it through the repair/replacement (D) without issue.

Aviatrr · November 30, 2016

Been there done that!

I had all the same steering slop in my GMC SLT 2500HD, F! 6000ish miles

I took it to my local GM dealer along with PIT 5501C.

They read that 5501C and started to laugh, literally.

They confirmed the problem/fluid leak and ordered a complete new steering gear box( which was on national back order and took a week to arrive), they didn't even try to follow protocol in PIT5501C.

Today I took the new PIT5501D into the dealer and talked to the mechanic that worked on my truck, I guy I trust.

He told me, he would never try PIT5501C or D. . He told me it is a very complicated system and setting it to OEM is difficult and that I would never be happy with the steering if they attempted to follow the PIT5501 C&D. That's why they just ordered a complete new steering gear box to begin with.

Fingers crossed all good now.

Well, it sounds like it's a good thing that my local dealership went straight to "replace the steering box" rather than try to follow the TSB if it's that difficult to get right. The part finally arrived, and I take the truck in on Monday morning for the work. They said that's the first opening their HD specialists have. I didn't know there were specialists for certain vehicles at a dealership. Engine specialists I get, but guys specifically for HD trucks was a surprise.

In the past couple weeks the slop has not gotten worse, but I've noticed that often when I make a slow, sharp right turn there's a thunk under my feet during the turn. It's hard to tell where it's coming from exactly.

Mike

jvbronco · November 30, 2016

...but I've noticed that often when I make a slow, sharp right turn there's a thunk under my feet during the turn. It's hard to tell where it's coming from exactly.

Mike

This sounds similar to what I noticed when mine went out of wack. Was making a sharp turn down a corkscrew parking ramp exit, heard the pop (thunk - felt like traction control kicked in or something). When I got on the highway after that, I had the 2-3 inches of slop. Had to get a new steering box installed. They pulled on off another truck on the lot because it was on backorder and I needed the truck ready to go for a long trip a few days later. Dealer took care of me pretty well to get it fixed quickly

revrnd · November 30, 2016

Well, it sounds like it's a good thing that my local dealership went straight to "replace the steering box" rather than try to follow the TSB if it's that difficult to get right. The part finally arrived, and I take the truck in on Monday morning for the work. They said that's the first opening their HD specialists have. I didn't know there were specialists for certain vehicles at a dealership. Engine specialists I get, but guys specifically for HD trucks was a surprise.

In the past couple weeks the slop has not gotten worse, but I've noticed that often when I make a slow, sharp right turn there's a thunk under my feet during the turn. It's hard to tell where it's coming from exactly.

Mike

This sounds similar to what I noticed when mine went out of wack. Was making a sharp turn down a corkscrew parking ramp exit, heard the pop (thunk - felt like traction control kicked in or something). When I got on the highway after that, I had the 2-3 inches of slop. Had to get a new steering box installed. They pulled on off another truck on the lot because it was on backorder and I needed the truck ready to go for a long trip a few days later. Dealer took care of me pretty well to get it fixed quickly

Guys did either of the service dep'ts say what the actual "defect" is? Some of the early posts mentioned retorquing the nut that holds the pitman arm to the sector shaft. Then sector shaft replacement & adjustment.

Pitman arm slipping on the sector shaft perhaps?

gmcslt · November 30, 2016

Got mine back from the dealer, slop is gone but the steering wheel feeling changes with every turn. It now feels worse because there is no consistency with the feeling of the wheel....hard to explain but this is the worst driving truck I have ever owned at this point. What really frustrates me is the service guys make it seem like your bothering them with these issues. I just want my 60k truck to work like it did when I bought it.

jvbronco · November 30, 2016

Guys did either of the service dep'ts say what the actual "defect" is? Some of the early posts mentioned retorquing the nut that holds the pitman arm to the sector shaft. Then sector shaft replacement & adjustment.

Pitman arm slipping on the sector shaft perhaps?

They noted that a bolt had either worked is way out or was not tightened correctly at the factory. They didn't seen to reference a TSB or any prior experience with this issue. Just that they noticed the loose bolt causing the issue. It's a small dealership so it's likely that hadn't cube across this yet.

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2016GMCSierraDenali2500 · November 30, 2016

I had steering slop in September. I took it in. They replaced the steering box. All was great for a short time. Now I am having the same issues again. I am taking it back to the dealership again today.

Webhair · November 30, 2016

I had steering slop in September. I took it in. They replaced the steering box. All was great for a short time. Now I am having the same issues again. I am taking it back to the dealership again today.

That is not good - they replaced mine 2 weeks ago. It better last... How many miles between?

2016GMCSierraDenali2500 · November 30, 2016

The first issue as around 8K miles. I have about 15K miles now. So, looks like an issue every 8K miles or so

2500denali · November 30, 2016

Got a call back from GM resource team. Internal resources have declined ANY assistance including Buy Back,Replace trade assist or even to reimburse me for the month i have not had the truck. Dealership is saying truck is fixed again and is ready guess it will be okay for another few days then act up again. 7 visits now and 30 days out of service. I contacted the GMC customer support line furious and said i want to speak to corporate NOW! I have had a new case generated (Number 5) and am supposed to receive a call from a lead tomorrow morning she claimed that if i have a case they will endorse it and send it to corporate GM. I have also contacted a attorney for a consultation and they said GM is being foolish, he claimed your truck has been a lemon under MD lemon law since the first visit. I am giving GM another attempt to do the right thing or I will peruse action against em. Very sad if you ask me 5 bulletins yet they still wont take responsibility for these trucks. I have purchased 3 new GM vehicles and have been GM loyal but at this point i am ready to cancel the 17 2500 i ordered to replace this 16 POS and go Ford or Dodge HD.

Edited November 30, 2016 by 2500denali