My 2500hd Handling Sucks

[gnadoc]

Hi, I'm new here finding answers about the 2003 2500HD Silverado extended cab short box I bought last week. 94K and very clean, but I got stuck with a bad transfer case. I guess 10 pages of "transfer case" search results covered everything I should have known about that before I bought.

 

I'm replacing a 1988 GMC 2500 Sierra extended cab long box, and so far I'm not adjusting very well to the newer truck. First, I noticed it hops sideways in bumpy turns. Is there any real hope that new shocks will solve this, or is the truck sprung so stiffly that I just have to accept this?

 

This weekend I noticed on a long radius turn near my home there was no steering position where the truck would corner properly. Either it was turning in too sharply, or it was drifting out. I zig zaged all the way through this turn. It was a very creepy experience on a road I've been driving for 30+ years. I'm hoping this can be solved as easily as installing some polyurethane sway bar bushings?

[98silvz71]

I'm not sure about the steering issue but all my trucks 1500 or 2500HD hopped in bumpy turns or on a straight stretch on dirt roads. I have 136,000 miles on mine and was thinking that new shocks would help, but am not certain.

[2000DV4.8]

Hi, I'm new here finding answers about the 2003 2500HD Silverado extended cab short box I bought last week. 94K and very clean, but I got stuck with a bad transfer case. I guess 10 pages of "transfer case" search results covered everything I should have known about that before I bought.

 

I'm replacing a 1988 GMC 2500 Sierra extended cab long box, and so far I'm not adjusting very well to the newer truck. First, I noticed it hops sideways in bumpy turns. Is there any real hope that new shocks will solve this, or is the truck sprung so stiffly that I just have to accept this?

 

This weekend I noticed on a long radius turn near my home there was no steering position where the truck would corner properly. Either it was turning in too sharply, or it was drifting out. I zig zaged all the way through this turn. It was a very creepy experience on a road I've been driving for 30+ years. I'm hoping this can be solved as easily as installing some polyurethane sway bar bushings?

 

It is a 3/4 ton truck, but something doesn't sound right. I'd check to make all your steering components are in good shape (inner/outer tie rods, pitman/idler arms, etc.).

 

New shocks should help with the bouncing in turns, but you might also be running the tire pressure too high. Where are you at now?

[Kodiak450]

Your shocks most likely are worn out, look at the rear shocks to see if one of them is compressed, also look to see if there is any oil on them. You should not be bouncing that bad on bumpy roads. Other factors why they can bounce is driving around with a 1/2 full tank or less, too much air in the tires too. I would definately get new shocks, you will feel a difference once you get new ones. The truck will tend to feel jerky in the back slightly because of the lack of weight.

[gnadoc]

Thanks for the input. The trucks been in the shop for the transfer case, and I don't know when I'll get it back. I'll check the tire pressures and stat shopping for a new set of Bilsteins. Its due for state inspection by the end of February. My regular mechanic will find anything wrong with the front end. Last May he wouldn't pass my 88 without replacing an upper control arm bushing and the pitman arm.