Front End Pulling Question

[Jaysin]

Ok, so I'm new here and wasnt sure as to where to post this question. I have an 02 Tahoe 2wd and ever since I purchased it, the steering seems to have a mind of its own. Sometimes it will pull to the left, sometimes to the right, and sometimes it will pull to one side then the other causing it to be very difficult to control. I purchased it less than a year ago (no warrenty) and it came with 20" rims. I go through tires like most people go through underware. I took it to the shop and was told it was the pitman arm and trailing arm but the guys seemed undecided in their own diagnosis. Not able to shell out countless dollars in what the repair guys "thinks" the problem is I thought someone here may have had similar issues that were resolved or good insite to where the issue may be. BTW, thanks for all the great info in the forums! This site ROCKS!

 

[southboundchicken]

what kind of mileage on it? definitely could be a bad pitman and maybe more

 

[fire730]

Find another shop. Either there is play in the idler and pitman arm or there isn't. They are basically a reciprocating ball in a socket. It's not rocket science. If someone competent says they are fine then we can work from there.

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

Here is what you need to do. First, have a buddy sit in the truck with it running and while he/she turns the steering wheel to full lock out both ways, you lay under the front of the truck and see if there is ANY up and down play in the idler and pitman arms, if there is go ahead and replace both at the same time.

Then, whether there is play or not in those, lift the front of the truck and before removing the wheels, grab them at 12 and 6 o'clock and see if there is any up and down play there, if there is then you need to replace the hub bearings, again, do both at the same time.

If your truck is already equipped with a hydroboost unit behind the brake master cylinder then go ahead and fully flush the power steering fluid as well to ensure that you are pushing fresh fluid through everything.

Then if all of that checks out, attempt to adjust the little alan head adjustment "bolt" on the top of the steering gear box. If you are looking down through the hood/engine bay at the gear box you should see it to the left side of the power steering lines right on top of the gear box. For adjustment, righty tighty, lefty loosie until you find the right sweet spot. If you get through the checks on everything else first and then the adjustment on the gear box doesn't help then you more than likely need to replace the gear box itself.

After that, remove the wheels and check the mounting and adjustment bolts on the upper control arms, if they are loose then you need an alignment, but if any of the above issues prove to need fixing, you will need an alignment anyway.

Also, I agree with the above, if your shop doesn't know how to diagnose steering issues on your truck, find a new shop.

Hope this helps...

 

[mmeachem]

Here is what you need to do. First, have a buddy sit in the truck with it running and while he/she turns the steering wheel to full lock out both ways, you lay under the front of the truck and see if there is ANY up and down play in the idler and pitman arms, if there is go ahead and replace both at the same time.

Then, whether there is play or not in those, lift the front of the truck and before removing the wheels, grab them at 12 and 6 o'clock and see if there is any up and down play there, if there is then you need to replace the hub bearings, again, do both at the same time.

If your truck is already equipped with a hydroboost unit behind the brake master cylinder then go ahead and fully flush the power steering fluid as well to ensure that you are pushing fresh fluid through everything.

Then if all of that checks out, attempt to adjust the little alan head adjustment "bolt" on the top of the steering gear box. If you are looking down through the hood/engine bay at the gear box you should see it to the left side of the power steering lines right on top of the gear box. For adjustment, righty tighty, lefty loosie until you find the right sweet spot. If you get through the checks on everything else first and then the adjustment on the gear box doesn't help then you more than likely need to replace the gear box itself.

After that, remove the wheels and check the mounting and adjustment bolts on the upper control arms, if they are loose then you need an alignment, but if any of the above issues prove to need fixing, you will need an alignment anyway.

Also, I agree with the above, if your shop doesn't know how to diagnose steering issues on your truck, find a new shop.

Hope this helps...

Great info man

It's people like you that make this forum awesome

 

[Jaysin]

Great info thanx a bunch! Will do the testing and let you all know how it turns out. If it is the pitman and idler is there a how to replace floating around?