Steering Won't Return to Center

[Schimpfy]

Hey, everyone...my first thread. Huh.

Anyway, I've got a steering problem that I've noticed over the last week or so. My steering doesn't automatically try to center itself anymore when coming out of a turn. There was a mild creak in the front end that began a few days before this happened and I haven't had a chance to grease up the front end due to weather. I'm hoping, in a best case scenario, that grease may help (from other sources I've seen) because the ball joints might be gunked up. What's the worst case scenario...power steering pump, ball joint replacement?

 

[dagen_1]

need more info... is the truck 2wd or 4wd?

lifted/lowered/stock?

 

[Schimpfy]

Sorry, I thought I put truck info in my sig. It's a '99 GMC K1500 all stock running 285/75R16s.

Edit - Oh...NOW is shows up in my sig. smh

 

[jmc1997ck]

How's the pitman arm look? I tweaked mine a few years ago and it caused some steering bind up.

 

[dagen_1]

Sorry, I thought I put truck info in my sig. It's a '99 GMC K1500 all stock running 285/75R16s.

Edit - Oh...NOW is shows up in my sig. smh

haha it happens...

if it has high mileage as most of ours do, probably a number of things.

 

[Schimpfy]

That narrows it down.

 

[dagen_1]

That narrows it down.

well, it could be:

steering box
idler arm
pitman arm
center link
tie rod ends
ball joints

or enough wear and tear on all the above

 

[ChrisAU]

It could be time for new tie rod ends, idler arm & bracket, pitman arm. Those things can cause binding when they wear out or are not greased.

 

[Schimpfy]

I finally got a chance to look under the truck and it looks like the summer was hell on the steering. Looks like every boot is shot from ball joints to tie rods. I think I'm going to save up and just replace everything in one shot. Quick question, though: Is there any reason to replace the center link if it's not wallowed out or bent? It looks okay, but I've never pulled steering components apart before and I don't want to be needing something in the middle of the process when it would've been better to get in the first place.