Wandering 1997 Truck

[woyster_00z71]

My 1997 Chevrolet truck is wandering while driving down the road.  It has been doing it for awhile now.  Anyway, the wife has been driving it lately and is complaining about having to constantly correct the steering wheel to keep the truck going straight.

 

Anyway, what could be causing this?  I have heard about the steering gear (or something else with the steering) causing this but not too long ago I had the dealer look at it and he said it was still "in-spec".  What does that mean?  Is this something I can replace on my own or do I need to take it back to the dealer and tell them to fix it?

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

B.J.

[Shaners]

You should check out your front suspension too...  Ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, shocks and tires.  Any of these could lead to a loose feeling truck.

[SilveradoWV]

You have probably done this, but had to mention it anyway! Have you checked the air in your tires???? Or have you just changed tire sizes! I know on my dads '91 we went from 265's to 245's and it effected the steering quite a bit!

[TheScaryGuy]

Lock your steering colum.  Then go over to your wheel.  Grip it on both sides of the tire.  Then try and wiggle it back and forth.  If you have lots of slop then you need new tierods i believe.  In Spec = all of your alignment is within accepted ranges.  (toe in, ect.)

 

I personally would take it to a good alignment shop (non dealership) they will have a better idea of whats wrong.

[ClipperSkipper]

Lock your steering colum.  Then go over to your wheel.  Grip it on both sides of the tire.  Then try and wiggle it back and forth.  If you have lots of slop then you need new tierods i believe.  In Spec = all of your alignment is within accepted ranges.  (toe in, ect.)

 

I personally would take it to a good alignment shop (non dealership) they will have a better idea of whats wrong.

Absolutely! Most guys are too lazy to do a correct alignment, all they do is set the toe and spit it out the door.

The castor settings )fore and aft) on these trucks varies which throws out the camber (top to bottom) which is why

your truck is "henky"; e.g. needs constant attention. Find a decent shop and we'll all go there.

 

Have a great one!

[Redapple]

First,

There is no replacement for a good front end shop.

That being said, there are things you can do to rule out several possibilities, as noted in earlier posts in this tread.

 

1. Check tire pressure. Low tire pressure can make the sterring feel sloppy and loose. Also make sure that all four tires are within 2lbs of each other, Inflation of different values from side to side can make the vehicle wander in one direction or the other.

 

2. As stated above, lock the steering wheel and move the tires back and forth. This will tell you if there is a mechanical problem. This could be one or more of several things

A. Control Arm Bushings

B. Ball Joints

C. Shocks

D. Tie Rod/ Tie Rod Ends

E. Idler Arm/Pitman Arm

F. Drag Link

G. Steering Box

Once you have determined that you do not have a mechanical problem, then and only then have the alignment done. Not checking these items for mechanical breakage, or normal wear before an alignment is like p***ing in the wind, becuase it won't solve your problem.

 

Good Luck

Bill