HELP: wandering / tracking problems

[jimveta]

Hi folks, I've looked all around and posted to a couple different places about this, and of course have gone to the dealer with no luck (as almost is always the case in situations like these) so perhaps I may get lucky posting here. My problem:

 

- 2003 Suburban 1500 4wd cannot track straight worth a d**n unless the road is mirror smooth (i.e. fresh asphalt); steering feels sloppy, has a lot of slack; easily pushed around by wind or turbulence from passing vehicles.

 

In fact, one nerveracking experience I've had is being forced onto the shoulder and literally driving there for a few seconds despite steering in the opposite direction!!

 

Now, I've come across a couple of complaints exactly like this on the NHTSA website and these two posts here, possibly describing the same problem:

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=29865

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...993&hl=tracking

(post #6 by "az'03Silverado")

 

.. and a few other folks have suggested it's due to the stock Firestone tires.. well, I'm sure the firestones probably contribute to the problem, but I don't want to waste money if that doesn't solve it.

 

It goes without saying that dealers, alignment, balancing, etc show no problem. Most people probably won't experience the problem on the street or at slow speeds especially if they hold the steering wheel loosely (but I don't--I lock it into position like the club no matter how much the truck moves or shakes, so that's why it's also so stressful for me), which is why the dealers always end up saying "normal operation" and there are no freeways close by that really shows the worst of this or no bigrigs to pass or no winds when you need it

 

So I would appreciate any info at all!

 

thanks

-Jimmy

[mcreyaufmiller]

Have they checked the Tie Rod and all related parts? Ball Joints, pitman arm, Idler arm, etc.?

[jimveta]

Have they checked the Tie Rod and all related parts?  Ball Joints, pitman arm, Idler arm, etc.?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, I specificially asked the dealer to the first time and while they said they did.. I'm not sure how thorough it was. Well, in addition I just took it over to a local mech and he couldn't reproduce it in the freeways he drove.. it seems as if the only recourse is to go waaay out of my way to a dealer in Las Vegas (I'm in Los Angeles) because the 15 into and out of L.V. is the only road that is bad enough for this truck to guarantee a very obvious reproduction of the problem.

[d-dog]

IMHO tracking problems are generally caused by alignment problems. Any chance there's a lift kit on there? Camber OK? Are the tires toed in or out? Hit any bad burbs or potholes? How does the tread look? Any pattern developing?

[lahook]

maybe this will help you

my truck's steering always felt sloppy and wouldn't drive straight. I had it alligned a couple times and was told it was within spec. I had other steering problems as well, for example power steering going away while doing parking lot manuvers. Anyway my dealer replaced the steering box and the truck drives a lot better, no more wandering. As far as the power steering loss I'm unsure on that because that was an intermittent problem. (it did it right after it was replaced, but it hasn't been as frequent as it was before)

[millerwd]

Don't forget the SHOCKS.

I've heard of one bad shock absorber causing such problems.