my steering wanders

[Oldyukon95]

I have a 95 yukon with a 6 inch lift. It has about 2 inches of play from left to right in the steering wheel. I recently replaced the ball joints on the passanher side, the idler and Pittman arm and a outer tie rod end. Then I got it aligned. The problem is that at high speeds the steering will break away from where I'm steering. It happens at lower speeds but isn't hazardous like it is at 65+. I am narrowing down the problem. So far I have jacked up the front end and tested the play in steering. The tires don't move up down left or right without the steering wheel moving as well. The tie rod ends, pittman, and idler arm don't seem to have any play either. I didn't take of the steering dampener though. From the top it seems like the play is from the steering column to the gear box. I an turn the wheel and when I've gone that inch or two of play the Pittman arm and tires etc start moving. I have also adjusted that bolt on top of the gear box 1/8 the of a turn with not much difference. The play is still there but it seems a tiny bit harder to turn. What should I do next?

 

[SunlitComet]

Put Dion on the radio and go with the flow.

But seriously, how is the road crowing where you are at?

 

[Oldyukon95]

I'm in surprise az and I noticed it on my way up 5o flagg on the i17. It happens mainly on the older road. The new flater stuff isn't too bad. And it happens when I turn on a curve.

---------- Post added at 07:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:07 PM ----------

Sorry posting from my phone sucks. My grammar isn't that bad. Really

 

[SunlitComet]

And the tires are uniform with no uneven wear? When ever testing for wear in the system or aligning it make sure you remove any steering stabilizers or dampers first.

 

[Oldyukon95]

No my tires suck one is almost bald and the other one is about halfway there. I planned on getting tire and hopefully shocks with my tax return. I will retest the front end without the stabilizer on Sunday. Anything else I should look at while I'm at it?

 

[OR VietVet]

I doubt you will have any luck until you replace the tires with good even tread.

 

[Gzes]

Tires play a big factor. Been buying new tires half way there but it's a difference. After I get my other 2 I'll get it alighned and my steering wandering should be gone

 

[OR VietVet]

Alignment readings will be important so post the final results here when you do get aligned. The steering play is not so good but not as bad as I have seen. If the steering seemed to feel harder after adjusting the gear box then don't go any further. The steering shaft above the gear box may need replacing to correct the play. Biggest concern is with a lifted vehicle and then how far out of alignment. Also am wandering why you only did ball joints on one side. The other side may have a ball joint or 2 that are binding and causing the uneasy feel in a curve. Lots of uncertainties.

 

[Oldyukon95]

I know I should have done all 4 but the mechanic said only 1 was bad. I replaced the pittman, idler, ball joints and tie rod end all in one day and when I got to the other ball joints I didn't have the right size socket to take then off. I was tired and it made me lazy. My plan is to replace them and fix any other steering/suspension parts then get new tires and an alignment. What makes you think it's the steering shaft and not the gear box? Am u missing something? Thanks for the help

 

[OR VietVet]

I said the steering shaft may be a factor and therefore need replaced. Has to be checked and either eliminated or kept. 2" of play is not a lot in the scheme of things. I still say you have new parts on one side plus a new idler and pitman, working with old parts on the other side. Unless you are planning on selling the vehicle I would always replace the entire front end components because they work with each other and I still say the biggest concern is the tires. If you had it aligned after the new front components were put on then post the readout of that alignment. I just hope that you don't say they didn't give you a printout of the alignment. The shop would be suspect anyways with them aligning a front end with 1 bald tire. Did they do a thrust alignment?