Hard Steering when parked

LoweFarmGarage · November 25, 2020

Hey folks, we are working with a 1998 C1500 with gearbox steering, having troubles with steering. when parked, the steering range is greatly reduced. soon as you move an inch, it loosens up. been in a couple shops already with several pumps and gears installed, kinda stumped. ideas?

bcrooms · November 25, 2020

1 hour ago, LoweFarmGarage said:

Hey folks, we are working with a 1998 C1500 with gearbox steering, having troubles with steering. when parked, the steering range is greatly reduced. soon as you move an inch, it loosens up. been in a couple shops already with several pumps and gears installed, kinda stumped. ideas?

I am curious too as my current 97 does this as well.

LoweFarmGarage · November 25, 2020

we are going to try and see if for whatever reason the CV axles are causing the binding tomorrow morning.

bcrooms · November 26, 2020

1 hour ago, LoweFarmGarage said:

we are going to try and see if for whatever reason the CV axles are causing the binding tomorrow morning.

My truck is fine as soon as I press the accelerator

thx1138v2 · November 26, 2020

A 2006 Silverado I had used a "variable assist power steering unit". It makes it easy to steer when the truck isn't moving but then kicks out when you get any speed at all so that minor movements don't make the truck jump all over the highway. It uses an "electronic variable orifice" on the power steering line to accomplish this. There is a sensor you can replace on the steering column under the hood to make it work correctly again.

Search for "PT 20-0031.pdf" or "PT 20 -0024.pdf" for more info. Also "variable assist power steering unit" or "electronic variable orifice".

Brian Lindsey · November 26, 2020

how does it act when front is off the ground?

LoweFarmGarage · December 1, 2020

completely removed the variable assist orfice, in the event it was failing, and no improvement. off the ground there no resistance at all.

Brian Lindsey · December 3, 2020

all your front joints greased up, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc., you dont have cv axles on a c1500 they are on k1500 as the "K" is four wheel drive, and "C" is 2 wheel drive, are you in snow country where even grease freezes

LoweFarmGarage · December 8, 2020

the owner is extremely particular, any issues are addressed immediately, and yes we are in the heart of canada but use synthetic grease designed for cold temperatures. one question i will pose here, will additional backspacing of the tires IE: aftermarket rims with incorrect backspacing, placing the centre of the tire outwards, have that much of an effect on this?

thx1138v2 · December 12, 2020

On 12/1/2020 at 10:14 AM, LoweFarmGarage said:

completely removed the variable assist orfice, in the event it was failing, and no improvement.

That's the same thing you should get when you are moving down the road because you don't need it once the truck is moving. You only need the assist when the truck is NOT moving. Try replacing it. It's fairly cheap if I remember correctly.

The part name is "Steering Wheel Position Sensor: "...monitors your vehicle's wheel position and turning rate" - my bad. The price is higher than I remembered but it's been a while.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-26064468?seid=srese1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoYXjiqXI7QIVDzeGCh2e4wdpEAYYASABEgLoavD_BwE

https://www.autozone.com/electrical-and-lighting/sensor-steering-wheel-speed/dorman-sensor-steering-wheel-speed-905-510/21391_0_0?spps.s=6263&cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:HRD:71700000060526742&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoYXjiqXI7QIVDzeGCh2e4wdpEAYYAyABEgI0dvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Edited December 12, 2020 by thx1138v2
Added part name and links