2011 6" Tahoe

[brentlab]

See if anybody can tell me whats wrong. I brought my tahoe in for a oil change to the dealer and also told them that is was raddling in the steering column when i hit bumps. They told me that my steering wheel bushings are shot and the tie lines are too. The truck only has 14,000 miles. It started at about 10,000miles. Do you think this is a factory defect or not. Please help.

I quess it wan't meant to be to lift the tahoe.

 

[Zed 71]

Seems like you are the 2nd Tahoe with a 6" lift to have issues. What is the brand of suspension lift, do you take it offroad, what size/type of tires are you running, how many miles with the lift?

Are the tie rods bent? Does the kit extend the steering? If those parts are truly shot, they are cheap and you can replace them on your driveway. But it did not take long for those parts to wear out...

 

[brentlab]

Seems like you are the 2nd Tahoe with a 6" lift to have issues. What is the brand of suspension lift, do you take it offroad, what size/type of tires are you running, how many miles with the lift?

Are the tie rods bent? Does the kit extend the steering? If those parts are truly shot, they are cheap and you can replace them on your driveway. But it did not take long for those parts to wear out...

BDS LIFT
Have never taking it offroad
325/65/18 nittos
12,000.00miles

I dont think it is bent, i would think that a BDS kit would be a very good kit.

The dealer is still debating on replacing them under the warranty or not.
The lift install says that they should. The bushing should never wear out that quickly.

 

[InTruckDesign]

May want to try disconnecting the steering shaft under the hood and cycling it back and forth a couple times...helps spread the grease inside around. I can't see the rack and pinion being shot this soon, lots of guys running bigger lifts on the 1/2 ton trucks with no issues so far and they share the same steering.

 

[Zed 71]

Doesn't BDS have a replace no matter what policy? I recall the other guy that was having problems also had the BDS (need to search to confirm).

If the tie rod is not bent, what is the issue? Is the tie rod OEM or BDS?

Are the steering components stock or in a different position (geometry)?

 

[brentlab]

Doesn't BDS have a replace no matter what policy? I recall the other guy that was having problems also had the BDS (need to search to confirm).

If the tie rod is not bent, what is the issue? Is the tie rod OEM or BDS?

Are the steering components stock or in a different position (geometry)?

The BDS lift is fine and is not causing the problem. The dealer called me today and told me they are replacing the steering box kit. He told me that they are going to change it out this time under warranty. He told me that the tires are causing the problem. The lift company that put the lift on lifted the truck and moved the tires to see if it was the tie rods and they said there is nothing wrong with the tie rods and even showed me. I'm a little confused. All it feeling like is when you hit bumps you can feel the steering shaft jerk around. You can't here but you can fill it in your arm. When i owned a 2002 Chevy Z71 back then they had to lube the shaft with some special lube because of a factory issue. It feels just like that 10years ago. Also, wierd that the dealer has two steering wheel kits in stock and he want to change it out tomorrow.

 

[InTruckDesign]

I still think it may be the steering shaft just like your '02, but if the dealer wants to replace the steering box(?) under warranty then let them at it.

 

[brentlab]

I still think it may be the steering shaft just like your '02, but if the dealer wants to replace the steering box(?) under warranty then let them at it.

The dealer change out the steering kit and new alignment and had to cut fit the tie rods to the lift. So far everything feels good and the service manager said that everything went great and that they are use to installing suspension lifts.

 

[Zed 71]

The dealer change out the steering kit and new alignment and had to cut fit the tie rods to the lift. So far everything feels good and the service manager said that everything went great and that they are use to installing suspension lifts.

Cut tie rods to fit?!? Please explain...