Steering binding

clark1042 · December 6, 2006

I know this isn't new, but the last post that had the same problem I have was in 2002.

I have a 99 Silverado with a EZ-ride 4", 315/75/16 tires. I bought this truck with the lift on it (last time I do that). The reciept says that it has about 40,000 miles on the lift. anyways, the truck drives fine till I have to turn into a parking lot or somewhere tight, and then all heck breaks loose. The truck pulls the wheel out of my hands and goes straight to lock, and it pushes through the corner as if the hubs are locked. I've had it aligned twice since buying it and they can find nothing wrong with it. I've also replaced the pitman and idler arm. If anyone has any ideas it would be most benefical. I'm getting desparate. I'm starting to think the bushings are shot or the brackets are flexing.

dhansell22 · December 9, 2006

Having somewhat of the same problem on my '05. Doesn't pull the wheel as bad but I can't turn it at all if I'm not moving. I was told when I got it aligned that they couldn't adjust the caster and someone else said that this was my problem. Check the spec sheets on your alignment if you have one.

Cravin · December 18, 2006

I have had what sounds like the same problem,when going through sharp turns(dhansell i'm talking Anderson dr. in San Rafael)when bringing the wheel from a left turn to straight it locks up and needs to be force back to straight. Had to the dealer 3 times and they cannot find anything wrong.

citydriver · December 18, 2006

OK let me throw my $.02 in and let me share my experience with you, which may or may not relate to your issues but it's something to look at. I had just installed a 2.5-3" lift on my '95. I did this to correct the CV joint angles after cranking my bars a little to far and it was causing binding issues while turning w/4wd engaged, I was also having alignment issues (camber and caster angles all screwed up) w/over 186,000 mi. on the truck it also needed some care in the front end. While I was in there I re-built the steering (ball joints, tie rods etc..) Anyhow, while installing the lowering brackets for the differential, I had a heck of a time getting them to line up After I had finally got it all back together I still had a "binding" problem while rotating the front wheels while the front end was raised with the wheels off of the ground. I had also replaced the front C/V joint/shaft assemblies while I was in there so I was a little peeved to say the least. Turned out that the differential/axle assy. was off center by a 1/4" after I installed one of the carrier lowering brackets wrong, causing the inner joint on the right shaft to bind while the suspension was extended. After correcting my mistake, all was well again in my corner of the universe The new upper control arms that came w/the kit remedied my alignment issues. The C/V angles were improved, easing the stress on the joints.

You may want to have the lift kit inspected again for proper installation, also make sure that the front axles are dis-engaging properly while in 2wd mode. May not be a bad idea to have the C/V joints checked also.

And for those of you who have cranked the torsion bars a little to far, be aware of the possible issues that may arise (alignment, needing longer shocks, C/V angles, etc.)

Tons of discussions on this topic in this Forum with good information.

Maine Silverado · April 6, 2007

Alright, I want to bring this topic back up because I still haven't seen any solutions to it anywhere.

I have a stock 01 Sierra z71 Extrab cab with autotrac 4wd and no lift. My truck does the same thing. Gets to a certain point and pulls the wheel to full lock and the tires bind thorugh the turn. The steering components all seem fine and we just aligned it. We even check factory ride height and adjusted it to where it should be and I still have the problem. Has anyone ever figured out what it is?

Freyguy · April 6, 2007

It sounds to me like the steering pump is bad. I would replace it first if it was mine. Bleeding the system may help, but I'd just start replacing. You don't want your steering to mess up going down the road.

Maine Silverado · April 6, 2007

It sounds to me like the steering pump is bad. I would replace it first if it was mine. Bleeding the system may help, but I'd just start replacing. You don't want your steering to mess up going down the road.

I guess, I'm wondering why you would think it was the pump? It not an issue of the pump pushing to hard as far as I know, that should be pretty well limited by the mechanics of the front end, and when it hits the bump stops, any excess pressure should bleed off.......