GMT800 Loose Steering Fix No One Has Mentioned here or Net - Ten Minutes, NO $$$

[lyncht1967]

Backstory: After two years of loose steering nearly driving me INSANE with my 2003 Tahoe 5.3. I had changed all tie rods,idler arm, shook everything else until I went MAD, even got under dash to change upper int. shaft plastic bearing cup but found that to be tight already, tightened steering gearbox with allen screw and still loose.

Then, one day when returning my tilt steering to my position after my girlfriend drove it, a light bulb came on...hey, there's got to be a link there...so I took off top and bottom column cover to check it out (there is info on net to do this, search, don't ask me as models vary). Well lo and behold, there is a shaft right in front of cluster and if you turn steering wheel approx 90 degrees left and right there are two set screws that take a T25. (I'm gonna attach some pics)

To start tighten these up an 1/8 to 1/4 turn on each side until they feel kind snug, go back and forth side to side so they are even. Don't do super tight because it will cause binding. Mine seemed tight from start cause i guess the factory used loctite, but i guess 20 years have caused it to get loose at the bottom of the set screws, and WTF did I have to lose, so I cranked past that and did the overall 1/4 turn on each side in 1/8 turn increments.

Now, i gotta tell ya..I didnt really think that this small adjustment would take away any real slop, but when I took a test drive my steering was TIGHT again...I was FLABBERGASTED!

So, I am going to leave the covers off, drive a few hundred miles around town over next week or so and snug up again if necessary and maybe add some loctite.

Anyways, just had to share since this site has been so helpful to me on other issues and due to the fact a fix on this problem was so elusive to me after searching net for two years!

So, get er done!

 

[89Suburban]

Awesome info, thanks!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Fantastic info! Thank you for sharing the solution to your issue.

Just another example of why this Forum ROCKS!

 

[OR VietVet]

Holy Horse Crap MudHead! Great info and will be checking, even though mine is tight. Thanks!

 

[RAMurphy]

Holy Horse Crap MudHead! Great info and will be checking, even though mine is tight. Thanks!

Holy Horse Crap Mudhead - that is the first time I have ever heard that phrase. LMAO.....

 

[mattbta]

I've actually seen this before. I found a post or threeve about it when I was tying to find out why my steering sucked after front end work 6-7 years ago. Mine was not loose. I even put in now upper and lower shafts, new steering position sensor, new bearing, new UCAs and lower BJs - talk about a parts cannon. Ended up being an incorrectly installed centerlink.

Good info though.

 

[Rocket Man]

Great info! Thanks for sharing.

 

[B-train]

Good info. I've seen over the years of tilt wheels getting all janky when people use them as a grab bar to get in their vehicle. Maybe that was part of the problem?

 

[lyncht1967]

Could well be, i've only had it two years and am fit and tall enough to just slide onto seat..but judging from the outer driver seat wear, i wouldnt be surprised if some phatazz pulled himself in with the steering wheel for years..

 

[Logan5]

Heyyyooooo!!

I did this today and my steering got better! I got about a half rotation on one and a full rotation on another.

The only time I worry about my steering is on the highway doing 70-80. Sometimes the wind can push me around more than I like.

Took it out today in high winds at 80 and felt better. Definite improvement.

My cousin who had this car before me was short, fat, with bad knees and I just know she yanked on the wheel every time she got in the car.