Steering not returning to center?

[GregBunney]

Hello! My 2003 SLT Yukon got stolen a week ago and I luckily got it back without too much damage, just front end out of wack mainly. Ended up changing out the Pitman Arm and Idler Arm, after having a shop take a look, drove straighter but still felt boat-like, steering won’t return to center, and heavier/harder to turn than it had before being stolen. Almost like I’m low on power steering fluid but I’m not after checking. Got it alignment yesterday thinking that had to be it… still does it. The shop did recommend a steering box, but everyone else I talk to says they’ve never seen one go bad or need changing. Opinions? Is my alignment even done right either?

 

[Scottydoggs]

the box would be suspect for sure. were the idler and pitman arm worn out already, or the trash that stole it put a beating on it and broke them?

 

[03yukXL]

How did they steal it? Did they damage something in the column? Did they run it into a curb?

 

[Fless]

I had the steering gear replaced on my '04 around 105k miles along with the pump, due to whining noise. Hydroboost.

 

[GregBunney]

the box would be suspect for sure. were the idler and pitman arm worn out already, or the trash that stole it put a beating on it and broke them?

probably on its way out and I think he probably smoked a handful of curbs and finally did it. I am coming up on 200k miles

 

[GregBunney]

How did they steal it? Did they damage something in the column? Did they run it into a curb?

Definitely hit minimum 4 curbs with how wack it was once received. I had just gotten it aligned maybe 2 weeks before the theft too. He pushed the lock into the door and screwdriver to the ignition. TBH for how ****** he obviously is… did it decently clean and didn’t destroy too much. One shop said I need tie rods, idler/pitman arm, and a steering box. I just didn’t believe them, haven’t found a good shop yet haha

 

[homesick]

Definitely hit minimum 4 curbs with how wack it was once received. I had just gotten it aligned maybe 2 weeks before the theft too. He pushed the lock into the door and screwdriver to the ignition. TBH for how ****** he obviously is… did it decently clean and didn’t destroy too much. One shop said I need tie rods, idler/pitman arm, and a steering box. I just didn’t believe them, haven’t found a good shop yet haha

Ask several shops. Pick one of the ones that're all telling the same lie.

joe

 

[rockola1971]

That gearbox is smoked. Have a look at your driver side front tire and rim and I suspect youll see the evidence of curb splat on them. Jack front end up off the ground just enough to clear the ground and have someone put light pressure on steering wheel to left and right just moving a degree or 2 while you are underneath looking at the gearbox output shaft where the pitman arm is attached. You will see side to side movement of the output shaft. It will be obvious. Alignment shop shouldve checked ball joints but have someone do it again. Bad ball joints and/or bad gearbox will cause no return to center. Verify belts on the driver side front tire are not slipped.