Question about my front end

stealthpot · February 10, 2002

Well, ok, a question about my truck's front end.

I have a 95 Z71. I can feel and hear a thud in the steering wheel when i'm turning very slowly while backing up. The only things I can think of are either ball joints, the front end bushings, or something in the steering assembly. It feels like something is loose and maybe catching hold (causing the thud) while the wheel is turning.

If anyone has any ideas, please speak up!

Thanks, John

bassdog · February 11, 2002

Welcome to the board stealthpot.

I have a 94 with 122,000 on it and before I bought it I made the dealer align the front. In the alignment shop the discovered that the truck needed an idler arm, pitman arm and other work.

You may want to consider having a shop look at your as well.

stealthpot · February 11, 2002

Thanks for the welcome, Its good to feel loved.

Well, I think i'm gonna go to the shop tommorow and ask them to just check my front end for problems since i don't really know whats up. Maybe tell them i suspect the idler arm, pitman arm etc, or maybe the ball joints.

That should be a nice fee for an estimate. :lookaround:

Thanks, John

95 Silverado · February 11, 2002

If it happens while turning at slow speeds that is often an indication of a bad CV joint in one of the front axles, check to see if any of the rubber boots are torn, if one is, it could have damaged the cv joint, or one could have just worn out.

stealthpot · February 11, 2002

Thanks for all the replys,

I do know that the cv boots are not torn, but i would not know if one has worn out. Unfortunatley, I think the problem I am experiencing could be the result of a number of different things going wrong.

These things now include:

Ball Joints

Bushings

Idler arm, Pitman arm (steering assembly)

Worn front cv joint or shaft

anything else I should consider?

I think its going into the shop tommorow for diagnosis

If the ball joints are bad, I'll order some energy suspension bushings and have them replaced as well as the mogul ball joints. If its either the steering assembly or cv joint, I'll just have those components replaiced/repaired, etc.

Thanks, John.

P.S. anyone here have experience with the goodyear gemini or firestone chain of auto service shops. I'll take the truck to one or the other.

Shaners · February 11, 2002

P.S. anyone here have experience with the goodyear gemini or firestone chain of auto service shops. I'll take the truck to one or the other.

I've never heard anyone badmouthing Firestone Service... Just their tires!!!

stealthpot · February 12, 2002

Well, i took the truck to firestone today. And what they found.....Absolutley nothing!

Ball joints, cv joints, pitman arm, idler arm, all in prefect working order, good to know and cost me only $20. The mechanic stated that it might be the trucks equivalent to the worm in the steering gear box being loose. I'm not sure how, but he stated that I could adjust it.

Any Idears?

Thanks, John

95Yukon · February 12, 2002

On top of the steering box theres a nut (I think it's 3/4 inch) with an allen screw in the center of it. The center screw is the adjuster, and the nut locks it in place. If you loosen the outer nut about 1/4 turn, you can turn the inner screw in clockwise, then re-tighten the nut. This is the pre-load adjuster for the steering box and can take some of the play out of it.

Be careful you don't go too much or it can bind or wear the steering box. I usually do it just so there's almost no play in the wheel when you jiggle it back and forth when the engine isn't running, while looking at your front tires for movement.

You'd be surprised how much newer the steering feels if it needs the adjustment. Don't know if that is causing the noise or not, but it probably wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Those can be adjusted to accomodate for wear in the box until the top of the center screw is flush with the top of the nut, then its time for a new box. I've seen a lot that have needed adjusting but never heard one make a noise like that, but anythings possible.