2015 Sierra rack & pinion bushings/ normal amout of play

[AndrewD]

What is the normal amout of play (side to side) for the rack on a 2015 sierra? My 2015 z71 is having steering issues. I'm getting the service steering message and periodic loss of power steering. A diagnostic scan at GM said that their was an issue w/the steering torque sensor. While looking into that I noticed that there is about an inch of play side to side in the rack when you move the steering wheel back and forth. I do not have any noise/clunk indicative of broken bushings, just wondering what others with this year model truck have noticed w/normal rack play/movement.

[richard wysong]

Check to see if the whole rack is moving when you turn the steering wheel. If the play is internal then the bearing for the pinion is more than likely gone and it's time for a replacement rack assembly, Taking for granted you have already checked the tie rods , ball joints etc

[AndrewD]

It is the whole rack. You can see it visibly move side to side w/ steering wheel movement. That was my question, does this (under normal operation) have movement? Or are my bushings just so worn that they are about to be all gone? Ball joints are new, inner tie rods about a year old. Truck has a 3.5 in lift w/35's (35's are only about 2 yrs old) but I only have 80k on it too. It's a 2015 and had 285/75's most of those miles untill the 35's. Like I mentioned there is no noise I just noticed the movement while looking into the EPS issue I am having.

[richard wysong]

It shouldn't move. Are the bolts tight?

[AndrewD]

Yup everything is tight. I guess the bushing are just worn out.. It does have over sized tires with a Ranch Hand Grille Guard, and a RC hidden 12k winch. Maby the extra weight w/the tires has helped wear out the bushings early. 

 

 

 

[AndrewD]

UPDATE: I have Found after A LOT more research, and upon inspection of my own 2020 suburban and a couple trucks like my own that these racks are supposed to move. By design GM made them a (floating) type system to lessen the burden on the internals of the piston/cylinder itself. Contrary to my previous experience if it does not move then it is binding (most likely from frame or mount damage) which will cause undue wear and premature failure of the rack.

 

Worst part of all this is that my original issue, my PS intermittently going out (steering wheel torque sensor) has no repair option. You are forced to buy a new R&P to replace the integrated (faulty) sensor. 

[TylerC]

@AndrewD is it really supposed to have movement? Took my 2015 Sierra to a shop today and they tried to tell me that it needed new bushings and refused to give me an alignment due to the rack moving side to side.

[AndrewD]

Yes i found an article that explains why it is designed that way. It is almost semi-floating to keep;it from binding. I have looked at about 8 different models now from chevy to GMC, truckas and suv's. they all have a small amount of movement when parked and your steer side to side. You may in fact need new bushings but it would be more of a metal on metal if one has gone bad. Also there would be a slight misalignmentof the rack after a while i would think. I have changed My steering rack for a different reason and it's only the 4 bolts/bushings that hold it in place.Yes i found an article that explains why it;is designed that way. It is almost semi-floating to keep;it from binding. I have looked at about 8 different models now from chevy to GMC, truckas and suv's. they all have a small amount of movement when parked and your steer side to side. You may in fact need new bushings but it would be more of a metal on metal if one has gone bad. Also there would be a slight misalignmentof the rack after a while i would think. I have changed My steering rack for a different reason and it's only the 4 bolts/bushings that hold it in place. ( Maby find a new alignment shop)

Edited August 13, 2024 by AndrewD