2001 Suburban- Vehicle Wanders

bluecougee · July 21, 2009

I have a 2001 Suburban (1/2 Ton) with Autoride. The vehicle has taken to wandering when I drive down the road. I took it to the dealer and they claimed a tie-rod end was the problem and replaced it. Didn't really fix the problem. I have had the alignment checked and the wheels re-balanced but this hasn't solved the problem either. Recently the power steering pump went out and I hoped that might solve the problem. No such luck! Any other ideas?

I have wondered if the suspension might be a problem. The vehicle has 150k miles and I believe it still has the original shocks. However, the dealer wants $2,000 plus for the new shocks all around because of the autoride. Must be pretty darn special.

I also have some question about the transfer case. Had the fluid changed at a Jiffy Lube and they went round and round about the fluid. In the end they claimed to have put the correct fluid in but now that I have this problem I have my doubts. Could the wrong fluid in the transfer case cause pulling in the front end?

Thanks in advance! I am at my wits end and I don't want to start shotgunning it!

bossier62guy · July 22, 2009

I have a 2001 Suburban (1/2 Ton) with Autoride. The vehicle has taken to wandering when I drive down the road. I took it to the dealer and they claimed a tie-rod end was the problem and replaced it. Didn't really fix the problem. I have had the alignment checked and the wheels re-balanced but this hasn't solved the problem either. Recently the power steering pump went out and I hoped that might solve the problem. No such luck! Any other ideas?

I have wondered if the suspension might be a problem. The vehicle has 150k miles and I believe it still has the original shocks. However, the dealer wants $2,000 plus for the new shocks all around because of the autoride. Must be pretty darn special.

I also have some question about the transfer case. Had the fluid changed at a Jiffy Lube and they went round and round about the fluid. In the end they claimed to have put the correct fluid in but now that I have this problem I have my doubts. Could the wrong fluid in the transfer case cause pulling in the front end?

Thanks in advance! I am at my wits end and I don't want to start shotgunning it!

What about the condition of the tires? Try rotating them to see if anything changes. As far as the transfer case fluid I doubt Jiffy lube had the correct stuff just lying around. If it's the same as the 02 Silverado I drive it uses a special GM autotrac fluid.

bill190 · July 22, 2009

OK, the thing to do is "isolate" the problem...

Autoride controls the shocks...

That is, the "suspension control module" controls the shocks...

And the "RTD Module fuse" (Real Time Damping) provides power to the suspension control module!

So remove the RTD fuse, this will kill power to the suspension control module, which will then stop messing with your shocks, and you can then see if your vehicle stops wandering.

Removal of this fuse may cause a check engine light. And I would recommend that you test drive in an area where no other vehicles are on the road and do this only as a test.

bluecougee · July 23, 2009

I have a 2001 Suburban (1/2 Ton) with Autoride. The vehicle has taken to wandering when I drive down the road. I took it to the dealer and they claimed a tie-rod end was the problem and replaced it. Didn't really fix the problem. I have had the alignment checked and the wheels re-balanced but this hasn't solved the problem either. Recently the power steering pump went out and I hoped that might solve the problem. No such luck! Any other ideas?

I have wondered if the suspension might be a problem. The vehicle has 150k miles and I believe it still has the original shocks. However, the dealer wants $2,000 plus for the new shocks all around because of the autoride. Must be pretty darn special.

I also have some question about the transfer case. Had the fluid changed at a Jiffy Lube and they went round and round about the fluid. In the end they claimed to have put the correct fluid in but now that I have this problem I have my doubts. Could the wrong fluid in the transfer case cause pulling in the front end?

Thanks in advance! I am at my wits end and I don't want to start shotgunning it!

What about the condition of the tires? Try rotating them to see if anything changes. As far as the transfer case fluid I doubt Jiffy lube had the correct stuff just lying around. If it's the same as the 02 Silverado I drive it uses a special GM autotrac fluid.

The tires are in very good condition. I had them rotated when they re-balanced them. I should probably just have the fluid replaced as I am sure you are right. Thanks for responding.

bluecougee · July 23, 2009

OK, the thing to do is "isolate" the problem...

Autoride controls the shocks...

That is, the "suspension control module" controls the shocks...

And the "RTD Module fuse" (Real Time Damping) provides power to the suspension control module!

So remove the RTD fuse, this will kill power to the suspension control module, which will then stop messing with your shocks, and you can then see if your vehicle stops wandering.

Removal of this fuse may cause a check engine light. And I would recommend that you test drive in an area where no other vehicles are on the road and do this only as a test.