Difficult Steering

Beer Belly · April 8, 2007

I have an '06 Silverado Z71, E/C, 5.3L....17,000 on the clock. When at a stop, if I turn the steering wheel, I get about a 1/4 turn on the wheel and it gets real hard to turn....I really gotta muscle it, loosens up as soon as the truck is in motion....this can't be normal, should be able to go lock to lock...no?...any input welcomed, can't have this when trying to manuever a trailer

Beer Belly · April 10, 2007

Sooooooo....I take it that this is normal ?

dhansell22 · April 14, 2007

Been having this problem for about six months now. i've checked all the threads and can't find a solution. I've replaced the pressure control valve with the supposed updated one and that didn't do anything. I've changed fluid and checked for kinks in the lines and inspected the suspension. GM says it's normal to have difficulty turning the wheel if your foot is on the brake but I can't turn either way unless I'm moving.

Sandhopper · April 15, 2007

I sent out the same question in Feb 07... I ended up going to two differant dealers to get the problem resolved... Here is a blurb from my thread "power steering issues". I was having the same problem while towing and attempting to back up. Litteraly is was like the power steering would just go away. Hope this helps or at least gives you some ammo...

Looks like the second dealer was the charm... When I took the truck in I was very upfront and let them know how the previous dealer responded to my steering issue. The most fortunate part was that they felt the condition right off the bat. When they looked up bulletins on my truck, they found TSB #05-02-32-008A which advises of replacing my 670 gearbox with a 680 gear box which "may increase customer satisfaction". It has been about five days and I have not been able to reproduce the condition at all. By the way the new steering box looks to be much more substantial then the old box. I guess time will tell if this was a permanent fix, I have my fingers crossed. The second dealer also took care of a pass. side front axle seal leak while they were under there... I think the second dealer has earned my future business.

TBLAZER · April 17, 2007

I have an '06 Silverado Z71, E/C, 5.3L....17,000 on the clock. When at a stop, if I turn the steering wheel, I get about a 1/4 turn on the wheel and it gets real hard to turn....I really gotta muscle it, loosens up as soon as the truck is in motion....this can't be normal, should be able to go lock to lock...no?...any input welcomed, can't have this when trying to manuever a trailer

Is your trucks suspenssion all stock not lifted from it's original settings?Cranking the torsion bars up will change the angles and will increase steering effort.

As the steering components beging to wear out there will be increase steering effort,lifting or modifying the suspenssion settings will accelerate the wear on the suspenssion and steering components,it will also change the camber and caster settings and the amount of effort it takes to turn the wheels.

dhansell22 · April 21, 2007

How can I find out what series my gearbox is and how would I find a new one without going through a dealer?

chacon85 · May 23, 2007

How can I find out what series my gearbox is and how would I find a new one without going through a dealer?

I have a similar problem. My truck will only turn to the left with power assist, but refuses to turn right. All this in low speeds or idleling. I NEED HELP