Weird noises from steering and transmission slow

[Jalpoz]

Hello everyone I recently just installed a 3.5inch lift on my truck and ever since than my steering rack has been making some funny noises. Maybe it’s just me being paranoid but when I turn left and right it makes noises such as like I can hear the rack moving. It’s hard to explain the noise exactly. It’s not a strain or clunk or pop or anything it’s just like the rack sounds like it’s working harder than it was before. I can’t remember if before the lift and wheel it made this noise or if it makes it for anyone else. Also with the new wheels (22x14 on 305) my transmissions seems to kick a lot more and has more trouble finding the gears when I’m slowing down and also when speed up. Any help would be great thanks 

[BO TIE 1]

After the wheel and tire change did you adjust the sizes in the computer? A hand held tuner can allow you to make the adjustments.

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[Jalpoz]

5 hours ago, BO TIE 1 said:

After the wheel and tire change did you adjust the sizes in the computer? A hand held tuner can allow you to make the adjustments.

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Hi thanks for the reply. I don’t know what you mean about changing it in the computer? How can I go about doing that? And what issue would that help me fix? Thank you 

[BO TIE 1]

So if you had 18 or even 20 inch wheels before you would need to reset the computer to the new size. This will reset the speedo settings and should help with your shift points.

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[Jalpoz]

38 minutes ago, BO TIE 1 said:

So if you had 18 or even 20 inch wheels before you would need to reset the computer to the new size. This will reset the speedo settings and should help with your shift points.

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Thanks what handheld tuner do you think I should buy and use? 

[BO TIE 1]

I use Diablo. But there are plenty others to choose from. Also did you get your front end aligned after the lift install?

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[Jalpoz]

1 hour ago, BO TIE 1 said:

I use Diablo. But there are plenty others to choose from. Also did you get your front end aligned after the lift install?

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I have not gotten an alignment yet. Would that help and be a significant difference? I know I need one but I have this weird pop noise when I turn so I was waiting to replace my tie rods to see if they are the ones making that noise and aligning them and replacing after would be a waste of money so I just wanted to wait for now. Would something get ruined if I didn’t get an alignment right away? 

[BO TIE 1]

Actually they check for worn parts before doing an alignment. So I would take it to a good shop and let them check it out. I wouldn't wait to long.

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[JimCost2014]

2 hours ago, Jalpoz said:

I have not gotten an alignment yet. Would that help and be a significant difference? I know I need one but I have this weird pop noise when I turn so I was waiting to replace my tie rods to see if they are the ones making that noise and aligning them and replacing after would be a waste of money so I just wanted to wait for now. Would something get ruined if I didn’t get an alignment right away? 

Can you post some pictures of the front suspension as it sits now with the lift?

 

3.5 is a good size lift, so maybe you have some parts that have exceeded their limits, and are not working as they were designed.

 

Yes, parts will wear quicker if not aligned properly.

[Jalpoz]

On 1/1/2021 at 6:25 PM, JimCost2014 said:

Can you post some pictures of the front suspension as it sits now with the lift?

 

3.5 is a good size lift, so maybe you have some parts that have exceeded their limits, and are not working as they were designed.

 

Yes, parts will wear quicker if not aligned properly.

This is what my current tie rods angles are. They aren’t too bad imo. I have upper control arms for this 3.5lift so those angles are good I would think. 

[JimCost2014]

On 1/3/2021 at 9:47 AM, Jalpoz said:

This is what my current tie rods angles are. They aren’t too bad imo. I have upper control arms for this 3.5lift so those angles are good I would think. 

Yea, have seen a lot worse pictures on the site with angles way to extreme. That looks fine.

 

The steering racks do wear out on these trucks, had to replace the one on our 2016 Tahoe. Have you looked to make sure they reinstalled all of the bolts that hold the rack to the truck?

There was a member here that had her truck lifted and the shop forgot one of the bolts that hold the rack in place.

Edited January 5, 2021 by JimCost2014

[Jalpoz]

2 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

Yea, have seen a lot worse pictures on the site with angles way to extreme. That looks fine.

 

The steering racks do wear out on these trucks, had to replace the one on our 2016 Tahoe. Have you looked to make sure they reinstalled all of the bolts that hold the rack to the truck?

There was a member here that had her truck lifted and the shop forgot one of the bolts that hold the rack in place.

How much did that cost if you don’t mind me asking? To replace the rack. Yeah I’ve seen some bad angles but as to the rack I don’t think they touched it. My truck is 2wd so I don’t have a front diff hence I didn’t need the diff drops. All that’s as installed were the struts and upper control arms to my knowledge. 

[JimCost2014]

2 hours ago, Jalpoz said:

How much did that cost if you don’t mind me asking? To replace the rack. Yeah I’ve seen some bad angles but as to the rack I don’t think they touched it. My truck is 2wd so I don’t have a front diff hence I didn’t need the diff drops. All that’s as installed were the struts and upper control arms to my knowledge. 

It was close to $2000.00.

 

The problem with the racks (had to replace one on my 99, and 04), is there are not many internal parts that can be replaced. Soft metal compound, so some areas just wear at an accelerated rate.