Steering wheel lock up

BSME1115 · January 19, 2017

You must have ballz of steel. If that POS did that to me once I would drive it no more.

^ What that guy said.

It doesn't matter where it is. Your truck should never just randomly cause a loss of control like that and especially never shut off the engine. I can't believe you've let it hit 4 times. If i lost the ability to steer for 3 seconds while driving, I would have parked it and called a tow truck. That's dangerous.

GMCustomerService · January 19, 2017

Hi! My 2014 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ runs great and drive great. Love it. One problem though... my steering wheel locks up and I will get 3-4 quick messages saying Intellik, stabillik, and park assist off. (Spelling is off for sure because I can't read them in time) it happens when my foot is off the acceleration and turning. It ONLY occurs in my friends neighborhood entrances!! Weird!! Never happens anywhere else. Usually the steering wheel locks up for 2-3 sec but today it lock up and I went up on the curb and the engine shut off. I drove home fine though. Any thoughts??

Hello ChevySilveradoLTZ,

We apologize for the unexpected concern with your Silverado. Have you brought this to the dealership's attention? They will be in the best position to look into this further for you. If you would like us to reach out to your dealership, let us know in a private message. Be sure to include your VIN, current mileage, contact information and preferred dealership. Thank you for being a valued customer!

Regards,

Anthony

GM Customer Care

Graphic · January 19, 2017

The 14 Silverado LTZ I had kind of did this, but it was only when it was really cold, below freezing. Usually it was just a slight pull to the right. When it was really cold I would have wrestle it back to drive straight. If I let go of the wheel it would go back to quarter turn left. Eventually the steering gear was replaced, which seemed to fix the problem. I don't know how long term the fix was. Word of note though, the steering gear was redesigned sometime late 14 or early 15. The mechanic mentioned that to me after they changed it out. After the new steering gear, the pull was gone and the binding, but the truck was all over the place.

No idea on the truck dying. The system is electric. Maybe a short dropping the entire system to zero voltage? Figure it would blow a fuse or something first, depends on the fuse type.

Can you duplicate the speed, angle and pitch somewhere else to see if it will do it again?

It's not blue is it?

Edited January 19, 2017 by Graphic

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 19, 2017

Thanks customer care. I'll do it myself.

Graphic, I did it today when dropping him off. I took a real slow turn at the SAME turn turning the steering wheel far but not all the way and it did it again.

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 19, 2017

I am aware of the situation. I tested it on the same turn today, same speed (below 5mph) and it happened. I'm worried but at the same time I'm relieved because it only happens at the same spot while going slow.

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 19, 2017

I tested it multiple time in my neighborhood with the same angle. Speed, etc. nothing happened. I think it's some time of electronic interference

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 19, 2017

Oh and it's silver. I tested it in my neighborhood (same speed and angle,, etc) nothing happened.

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 20, 2017

I spoke with my neighbor, who is a mechanic, on the phone about the problem. He specializes in BMW, jaguar, etc. Not in chevy. He told me what might be happing is that since it's a sharp and narrow turn, one of my wheels might be slipping causing all the sensors to go off. He said there might also be something with the steering, forgot what he said. He did tell me to bring it to another mechanic.

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 20, 2017

I spoke with my neighbor, who is a mechanic, on the phone about the problem. He specializes in BMW, jaguar, etc. Not in chevy. He told me what might be happing is that since it's a sharp and narrow turn, one of my wheels might be slipping causing all the sensors to go off. He said there might also be something with the steering, forgot what he said. He did tell me to bring it to another mechanic.

Dnt · January 20, 2017

How many miles do we have on this truck? A bad wheel bearing assembly is possible.....it will set off the wheel speed sensor when going out plus if bad enough can lock up completely.... Not sure why the truck would shut off except for maybe an over excited operator hit the key switch or something?

Edited January 20, 2017 by MyFavTruck

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 20, 2017

I bought it in October with about 64,000 and I hit 66,000 the other day

Edited January 20, 2017 by ChevySilveradoLTZ

Dnt · January 20, 2017

Only takes a minute to jack the front wheel up and spin it by hand. You usually can hear the roughness in the bearing and the wheel will have some play. Check both sides and report back in about an hour when done.... if the previous owner had driven it through high water they may have contaminated the wheel bearings and caused them to prematurely fail. Did you see the mess out in houston the last several days.........

Edited January 20, 2017 by MyFavTruck

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 20, 2017

*testing*

ChevySilveradoLTZ · January 20, 2017

Ok I'll try that tomorrow thanks for the info

Bmz72 · January 20, 2017

How many miles do we have on this truck? A bad wheel bearing assembly is possible.....it will set off the wheel speed sensor when going out plus if bad enough can lock up completely.... Not sure why the truck would shut off except for maybe an over excited operator hit the key switch or something?

I agree, if its not the actual hub bearing,it couldbe the speed sensor gear on the hub, could have a crack causing a mis reading ... was common on the older trucks causing low speed unwarranted ABS activation.