Desperately seeking better steering

[simonov]

I've needed an SUV for a long time, and put off buying one until now because I have never liked the way they drive. They all (except maybe the Cayenne) drive like boats and the 1998 Yukon I just picked up, which I love in all other respects, is no exception.

 

The most irritating aspect of the drive is the delicate steering. If you so much as look at the steering wheel wrong at speed the car goes swerving across the lanes. On my mid-60s A-body projects we solve this by replacing the steering gears with late model variable rate Camaro gears (it's almost straight swap after 30 years, I love GM). The variable rate gears let you feel the steering better.

 

Is there any such solution for these newer SUVs? My guess (without yet having a Helm manual in front of me) is the gears are already some kind of variable rate design, but maybe there's a pressure valve adjustment or a performance replacement on the market. I can't be the only SUV driver out there who actually wants to feel it when he's steering.

 

I tried searching but all I saw were threads on the intermediate steering shaft.

[Fyrcaptain]

Buy a 2007......the rack and pinion vs the old recirculating ball is day and night! I made the mistake of driving one while my old truck was in for service and I was hooked. Of course they made a lot of other improvements to the 07's suspension and frame that help too!

[simonov]

Buy a 2007......the rack and pinion vs the old recirculating ball is day and night! I made the mistake of driving one while my old truck was in for service and I was hooked. Of course they made a lot of other improvements to the 07's suspension and frame that help too!

 

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Thanks, but I'm pretty sure I can make some improvements for something less than the difference in price I paid for my 1998 vs a 2007.

[asilverblazer]

Maybe a steering stabilizer.

If it is too bad there is a sensor on the column that could be bad, you would know if it was broke.