Front End Squirrelly?

brainpause · October 10, 2007

I have a 2006 Silverado CC 4x4, with 22K miles. I love my truck.

However, it feels squirrelly at highway speeds. I have to constantly "drive", meaning that I have to work to keep it between the lines. It wants to go both ways (left and right). It is just as bad when I have a 5K trailer hooked up with weight transferred to front end with weight distribution hitch. I figured that adding weight to the front end would help. I can turn the steering wheel back and forth quite a bit before it actually starts steering the wheels, it seems.

Any known problems with this model truck, or what do I need to do?

Larry

Draenor · October 10, 2007

Does it make a difference if you rotate the tires? How do the ball joints and tie rod ends look? You could have some worn out steering components and also need an alignment. With your truck being faily new, I would let the dealer take a look at it under warranty.

brainpause · October 10, 2007

Does it make a difference if you rotate the tires? How do the ball joints and tie rod ends look? You could have some worn out steering components and also need an alignment. With your truck being faily new, I would let the dealer take a look at it under warranty.

I have not rotated the tires; I never have on any of my vehicles and got many miles and even wear out of the tires, as long as I keep the front end aligned, so that's why I haven't.

I have not inspected the ball joints/tie rods. I'm not sure I'd know what to look for, although I did replace them on my ATV. I'll take a look at them.

Also, I just wondered if I should get immediate steering response when moving the steering wheel, or is it normal that I don't?

Larry

brainpause · October 14, 2007

Have not had time to inspect the truck, nor take it to a dealer. We are in the middle of moving and getting our house ready for market.

I assume from the lack of response here that there is not a known/common problem with the front ends of our trucks. Am I correct?

Larry

hoorders · October 14, 2007

Does it make a difference if you rotate the tires? How do the ball joints and tie rod ends look? You could have some worn out steering components and also need an alignment. With your truck being faily new, I would let the dealer take a look at it under warranty.

I have not rotated the tires; I never have on any of my vehicles and got many miles and even wear out of the tires, as long as I keep the front end aligned, so that's why I haven't.

I have not inspected the ball joints/tie rods. I'm not sure I'd know what to look for, although I did replace them on my ATV. I'll take a look at them.

Also, I just wondered if I should get immediate steering response when moving the steering wheel, or is it normal that I don't?

Larry

It should be fairly immediate steering response........I have about an inch or inch and a half that I can move my wheel back and forth before my steering responds...........I dont beleive there is any known common problem with the front ends on our trucks........if your steering wheel has lots of play then there has to be a worn tie rod end or maybe pitman arm.

Draenor · October 14, 2007

I have not rotated the tires; I never have on any of my vehicles and got many miles and even wear out of the tires, as long as I keep the front end aligned, so that's why I haven't.

Rotate the tires, see if the problem persist. Tires should be rotates every 5K mi.