Need help with weird loose steering

[Jackson]

Just bought a 2008 z71 Suburban 4X4 with only 55,000 miles. While test driving it, I noticed a weird feeling in the steering. While driving straight, there is play in the steering that allows the steering wheel to move side to side without wheel movement. Even with vehicle off, you can move steering wheel left to right a good bit. I looked and noticed that the steering shaft moves with steering wheel, so I'm assuming it is something in the steering box, which actually looks more like rack and pinion. The dealership is telling me that their mechanics checked it out and that it is completely normal. Well, I call BS! It is not normal and I have driven many chevy trucks and work vans the same model and it feels nothing close to the suburban. Sometimes depending on the situation, it feels a little sketchy and could possibly be dangerous. Anybody have any ideas on what would cause this play? I'm going to take it to another dealership and get their opinion since they have no reason to lie about it. Lesson learned at this point, I never should have signed the papers until it was resolved.

 

[nick2440]

Does it do it while the truck is off but in neutral? So basically not allowing the power assist

 

[Jackson]

Does it do it while the truck is off but in neutral? So basically not allowing the power assist

It does it all of the time. Even with the truck off and key out of ignition.

 

[Passin Thru]

I don't know if this is going to be helpful

The TBSS has "sloppy" steering (according to some)

Well, someone found that by removing the plastic pieces around the steering column, it allowed access to two Allen screws (one 12 o'clock position one 6 o'clock position iirc). These had to be tightened as of someone on the assembly line didn't do a good job of it.

Once these screws are tightened, the steering became very tight and responsive.

Possibly something to this effect?

 

[Jackson]

I don't know if this is going to be helpful

The TBSS has "sloppy" steering (according to some)

Well, someone found that by removing the plastic pieces around the steering column, it allowed access to two Allen screws (one 12 o'clock position one 6 o'clock position iirc). These had to be tightened as of someone on the assembly line didn't do a good job of it.

Once these screws are tightened, the steering became very tight and responsive.

Possibly something to this effect?

I'll look into it. I've taken it to two different dealerships and they both said that nothing was wrong. The second dealership said that they could replace the rack and pinion assembly and it may or may not fix the issue.I know for a fact that it is not normal. I've driven quite a few GM products from trucks to vans and SUV's, none have had the weird play in the steering. It's almost like a dead spot in the center of the steering cycle. I've got a 2000 Dodge 3500 that has the worst steering design ever made and steers better than the Suburban.

 

[Passin Thru]

That's the thing. They won't find the problem on the TBSS either. They diagnose it as "normal".

Let me see if I can find the thread and you can read it.


Here's the thread, with pictures:

http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1256385

 

[nick2440]

So i assume you had someone looking under the hood at the steering shaft while you moved the steering wheel back and forth? And it all moves together?

 

[Passin Thru]

Not my thread. I haven't messed with mine.

I find my steering is tight (to me), but I'm sure there is some slack. I'm just not as critical as some of those guys.

 

[Jackson]

The shaft moves with the steering wheel, but does not move the wheels. Almost like there is slop in the rack and pinion assembly. There is no resistance when there is play.

 

[nick2440]

It got me curious. I would think to follow it down to the rack and pinion and if there is nothing visible the only thought would be the rack and pinion itself. It might be one of those things that you have to live with even though its not normal. I would not consider that normal by any means