Steering issues

[Bigbertha78]

I'm sure this has been beat like a dead horse on this forum but have not been able to find an issue as similar as this. First off, I have a 2004 tahoe Z71, I have changed Pitman arm, Idler arm, inner and outer tie rod ends, all four shocks, stabilizer bar bushings, upper control arm with bushings and ball joint, lower control arm bushings, and lower control arm ball joint. As I am driving down the road it feels as if the truck wanders on the road from inside the lane back and forth. I have tried adjusting the steering gear box but it still has the play, what is the next step to making the steering better? I have also changed the intermediate shaft and had multiple alignments done. I have been leaning towards the steering gear box but not sure which one is best, or even if it will correct the issue. Any help would be much appreciated, Thanks.

 

[massivespl]

Are u sure it's not the road or your tires? I know if I put some wide tires on my truck likes to follow the road.. Or if u have some uneven tread wear your tires could be pulling

 

[clandr1]

Why have you had multiple alignments done?

 

[Bigbertha78]

The tires are the original that came with it over two years ago when I bought the truck. They are Michelin 265/75/R17. I had the alignment done first after changing out all the front end parts then I had gone back two more times becuase I could tell it was off. After the third time of having it done it felt a lot better. Tires have been rotated every oil change, which is about 3500 miles. Truck still has great tread, only around 15000 miles on tires since I bought it. I do live in Phoenix AZ so the roads are really uneven, but have drove to Idaho and back twice and the same effect.

 

[Bigbertha78]

Here is the passenger side tire

 

[Bigbertha78]

Here is the Drivers side tire

 

[clandr1]

The outer edge/corner looks like shit. I can't tell if it's dry rot, or if you have an alignment issue.

How old are the tires, do you know?

It might be the damned tires... If you've already had several shops align it, and they say there aren't any issues with ball joints, control arms, tie rods, etc, then my guess would be the tires are bad due to age.

 

[Bigbertha78]

The tires only have 15000 miles on them and have been on the truck for 2 years 3 months. Once I changed all the parts the steering got a little tighter, but I still have a lot of play in the steering wheel. Feels as if it wanders on the road and needs constant correcting by the steering wheel. When you move the steering wheel you can watch the movement all the way down into the steering box but nothing on the pitman arm until after about a half inch to an inch on steering wheel input. Would a new steering box fix this?

 

[massivespl]

Them tires look beat up for only 15,000 miles. That outta edge looks ate up. You should try some different tires if u can.

 

[clandr1]

The tires only have 15000 miles on them and have been on the truck for 2 years 3 months. Once I changed all the parts the steering got a little tighter, but I still have a lot of play in the steering wheel. Feels as if it wanders on the road and needs constant correcting by the steering wheel. When you move the steering wheel you can watch the movement all the way down into the steering box but nothing on the pitman arm until after about a half inch to an inch on steering wheel input. Would a new steering box fix this?

It sounds like, based on your description, the steering box is bad/worn, and needs replacement. However, that still doesn't explain the reason for the tire wear.

Who does your alignments?