Wanders while driving

[Campi3ell]

So I've searched and haven't really found much on the matter.
While driving, the truck wanders slightly. Small corrections have to be constantly made to keep it in a straight line. Initially I was told an alignment would help (also the steering wheel had to be turned left to keep it going straight), so I got an alignment. Steering wheel placement fixed, but it still wandered. I saw I needed tires, so purchased a set. Still the slight wander.

I don't hear any grinding, clicking, weird noises while turning the wheel stationary or while driving.

Is this common?
Should I have someone check out steering/ suspension system?

It's not an IMMEDIATE concern, but just something I have been thinking about.
Any thoughts? advice?

 

[Splatmaster527]

An alignment should make it so your truck goes straight down the road if you take your hands off the wheel with the wheel pointed straight...
If that is not the case then the alignment was either not done correctly or not done completely
Take it back to the alignment shop and ask them why it is still wandering
is it always in the same direction like does it pull one way or the other or does it just kinda move around?

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

It is VERY common to need Idler and Pitman arms, in rarer cases the stearing gear box can be bad causing this as well. I just replaced a gear box that had about four inches of play in the wheel.

Have a buddy, girlfriend or otherwise sit behind the wheel with the vehicle running and turn the wheel while you are under the truck with a clear view of where the idler and pitman arms attach to the center link, when the wheel is turned back and forth if there is any play up and down etc then the arms are bad and need replaced. If this is the case then the shop that did the alignment messed up because you cannot properly align one with these being bad. The gear box is harder to diagnose really, if the other parts are good, the fluid in the hydroboost has been flushed, etc and there is still play then the gear box either needs adjusting or replaced. You can adjust it with the "Bolt" type adjuster on top of the gear box.

 

[Campi3ell]

@ Splat: the alignment fixed the pull to one side. It still moves around. Similar to driving in a strong wind. Again, not terrible but noticeable to me.

@clkelly: Ill look into the idler and pittman arms

Thanks guys

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

ive always been told a vehicle will naturally wander to the right for two reasons (dont know if this is true so plz correct me if im wrong) but most newer roads are banked a few degrees to the right for better water run off an 2. manufactures have the steering wheel slightly to the right to avoid a head on collision if you were to fall asleep at the wheel thus killing only one instead of two. it all makes perfect sense to me but i could be wrong just thought id share my .02

 

[Campi3ell]

ive always been told a vehicle will naturally wander to the right for two reasons (dont know if this is true so plz correct me if im wrong) but most newer roads are banked a few degrees to the right for better water run off an 2. manufactures have the steering wheel slightly to the right to avoid a head on collision if you were to fall asleep at the wheel thus killing only one instead of two. it all makes perfect sense to me but i could be wrong just thought id share my .02

lol, I'm not sure how true that is about the steering wheel issue, but the road banking does make sense. Or have it banked to either side with the middle lane being higher ground. We have drains on either side of roads so water goes both ways... ?

 

[PUGLIA]

Actually it could be caused by a bunch of things. Instead of just spending money on a new pitman and idler arm, get your hoe checked out. It could very well be that or it could be ball joints or a hub or upper and lower tie rods or all the above. You need to either lift your front end and see if there is any play in your wheel by pushing back and forth top to bottom then side to side. If you have play top to bottom probably going to be a hub. Most likely your in for a few fixes or all of it. Doubt it will just be one thing. It's a steering system if one part goes bad it's because another isn't working properly. Either way go with moog lifetime parts and you will only have to worry bout paying for them once. Plus they are stronger, built better and will last longer.

 

[UBILLN]

Actually the specs for alignment are based on several factors... one of which is gas mileage, another is tire wear. GM is going to have the specs a bit more toed out so that it creates less rolling resistance therefore increasing gas mileage and less tire wear. This adds the repeated corrections feel that is being described. If you very slightly(1/8-1/4 turn) toe-in the wheels a bit you will get better centering feel, less wandering... but more effort can be felt when turning. This may also slightly compensate for some of the wear the front end parts have, although if your parts are worn too much it may actually cause additional vibrations or unusual ride characteristics.

 

[msbailey]

I just upgraded to a 20" BBS wheel and I'm having the same problem. Feels like the truck wants to wander in any direction at any given moment. I also have a vibration around 65 mph that I can't seem to get rid of. I think the bigger, wider wheels have put more stress on the steering system thus causing my problems.

 

[UBILLN]

I just upgraded to a 20" BBS wheel and I'm having the same problem. Feels like the truck wants to wander in any direction at any given moment. I also have a vibration around 65 mph that I can't seem to get rid of. I think the bigger, wider wheels have put more stress on the steering system thus causing my problems.

Most likely you are right. Depending on your miles, so far from the experience I have with my Tahoe and the 2005 ESV that I had before it plus countless GM trucks I have driven, the steering gear boxes on these get loose after 85,000 miles or so, the idler and pitman arms start exhibiting noticable play and/or slack and I know at least here in the DFW area, the roads can be really bad just making everything that much worse.

Also check your tire pressures, most people air their tires up to what it says on their tires which isnt always what it says on your door sticker and even sometimes that isnt spec'd on the best ride quality. And whats stranger yet how my past Escalade's tire sticker said for the tires to be inflated at 30psi whereas the Tahoe says 36(I think) but yet they share an almost identical tire size and load range. So when I transfered over the set of 2010 Caddy 18's I had last on the Escalade to the Tahoe I left the tire pressures set at 30 PSI and let me tell you they ride way smoother set there than at 36psi. If it was good for the Esclade, then it should be fine for my Tahoe is how I look at it. IMO.