Lots of steering slop 1999 k2500 suburban

[Lawrence Bouchelle]

It’s probably already posted but I have a 1999 k2500 suburban it’s a gmt400 not 800 and I can’t find a part that says it’s for my trunk they all say 92-98 none say for 99. I don’t wat the Jeep one the truck already has enough problems. I would rather do a basic/oem repair for now

 

[Crookedaxle]

It’s probably already posted but I have a 1999 k2500 suburban it’s a gmt400 not 800 and I can’t find a part that says it’s for my trunk they all say 92-98 none say for 99. I don’t wat the Jeep one the truck already has enough problems. I would rather do a basic/oem repair for now

???

 

[454cid]

It’s probably already posted but I have a 1999 k2500 suburban it’s a gmt400 not 800

All 99 Suburbans are 400s.

and I can’t find a part that says it’s for my trunk they all say 92-98 none say for 99. I don’t wat the Jeep one the truck already has enough problems. I would rather do a basic/oem repair for now

I rarely have issues with finding parts for my 99 truck. OEM type parts listings tend to be pretty good. It's the high performance stuff that often don't have great fitment listings.... Prothane bushings is one that comes to mind. Sometimes companies assum anything 99 is an 800, and sometimes they list both so then you have to figure out which is which on your own.

Sometimes website selling OEM type parts just have crappy catalogs, but the big names are pretty good. In fact Rockauto is probably the best of the best.

You didn't really say what you're after, but I assume you want a new steering shaft. OEM (I think is discontinued, but you might find one on ebay) or Dorman.... I think Dorman is the only OEM type aftermaket I've seen. Other than that you would need to go high performance like Flaming River or Borgeson.

 

[Lawrence Bouchelle]

All 99 Suburbans are 400s.



I rarely have issues with finding parts for my 99 truck. OEM type parts listings tend to be pretty good. It's the high performance stuff that often don't have great fitment listings.... Prothane bushings is one that comes to mind. Sometimes companies assum anything 99 is an 800, and sometimes they list both so then you have to figure out which is which on your own.

Sometimes website selling OEM type parts just have crappy catalogs, but the big names are pretty good. In fact Rockauto is probably the best of the best.

You didn't really say what you're after, but I assume you want a new steering shaft. OEM (I think is discontinued, but you might find one on ebay) or Dorman.... I think Dorman is the only OEM type aftermaket I've seen. Other than that you would need to go high performance like Flaming River or Borgeson.

Most parts I have need so far are engine related so haven’t had much of a problem with those Because the 800 never had the 6.5

i think I need the rag joint that’s what fixed it for other users. the shaft from the steering wheel to the box is loose so I think it’s that connection. if I search by 1998 it will be same part because no website has any results for a 1999 truck rag joint. I know the 6.5 was updated in 1999 (internally but still) so other parts might be too

 

[randomguy]

It appears the Lares 205 rag joint will work. Lares doesn’t list it for Chevy but they do list it for GMC K2500 Suburbans though 1999. Odd.

https://www.larescorp.com/product-categories/kits-filters-fittings-couplers/coupler-part-no-205/

You also should check your pitman and idler arms. Those are probably toast too.

 

[454cid]

It appears the Lares 205 rag joint will work. Lares doesn’t list it for Chevy but they do list it for GMC K2500 Suburbans though 1999. Odd.

https://www.larescorp.com/product-categories/kits-filters-fittings-couplers/coupler-part-no-205/

You also should check your pitman and idler arms. Those are probably toast too.

It's listed for my Chevy... I have a truck and not a Suburban, Though. Maybe Suburban listings aren't as good as truck listings.

I have the Lares rag-joint on my truck, and I'm not entirely happy with it, for two reasons. First, there torque specs really deform the rubber with the bolts. Second, my steering wheel is now off about 30 degrees, and I don't know if there is enough wiggle room in the mounting of that new rag joint to fix it. The shaft only goes in one way, so it's not off a tooth or two on the splines... it's keyed. My box has slop in it, but I don't think that's why the wheel is that far off. Dorman makes a rag joint, too. I have no idea if it would be any better, but I kind of doubt it. They also make a whole new steering shaft, which is a lot more expensive.

 

[Lawrence Bouchelle]

It appears the Lares 205 rag joint will work. Lares doesn’t list it for Chevy but they do list it for GMC K2500 Suburbans though 1999. Odd.

https://www.larescorp.com/product-categories/kits-filters-fittings-couplers/coupler-part-no-205/

You also should check your pitman and idler arms. Those are probably toast too.

Oh ya the hole font suspension is worn but should be fine for now. the rag joint if that’s what my model has is worn or it’s the box because the box dosent move with the sharing wheel

 

[randomguy]

It's listed for my Chevy... I have a truck and not a Suburban, Though. Maybe Suburban listings aren't as good as truck listings.

I have the Lares rag-joint on my truck, and I'm not entirely happy with it, for two reasons. First, there torque specs really deform the rubber with the bolts. Second, my steering wheel is now off about 30 degrees, and I don't know if there is enough wiggle room in the mounting of that new rag joint to fix it. The shaft only goes in one way, so it's not off a tooth or two on the splines... it's keyed. My box has slop in it, but I don't think that's why the wheel is that far off. Dorman makes a rag joint, too. I have no idea if it would be any better, but I kind of doubt it. They also make a whole new steering shaft, which is a lot more expensive.

It’s not uncommon to have the steering wheel uncentered with a new tight part. I would suspect it’s probably your alignment that’s out now. A Jeep shaft won’t be any better.

You only tighten the rag joint bolts to 11ft lb. Too low for my torque wrench to be accurate. I just got them tight with a 1/4” drive socket and an open ended wrench. No deformation on my rag joint.

Dorman would be Chinese. The Lares is made in the USA still.

 

[454cid]

It’s not uncommon to have the steering wheel uncentered with a new tight part.

It wasn't super sloppy before hand. I don't believe it's an alignment issue....not for as far off as it is. I said 30 degrees, but it may be more than that. It's a lot. It went from being straight to way off.

You only tighten the rag joint bolts to 11ft lb. Too low for my torque wrench to be accurate. I just got them tight with a 1/4” drive socket and an open ended wrench. No deformation on my rag joint.

I considered that. I don't recall which one I used. It may have been my inch-pound wrench, of which 11 ft-lbs would be at the top of it's range. It would be at the bottom of my ft-lb torque wrench. When I do it again, I'll use my beam torque wrench.

Dorman would be Chinese. The Lares is made in the USA still.

Yes, that's why I went with the Lares.... that and it's a whole rag joint. The Dorman is just the rubber and some of the stamped steel. It doesn't include the splined piece. Dorman makes the only OEM type steering shaft, that I'm aware of. The GM part is discontinued.

 

[tinfoil_hat]

OP, remember to bungee cord your steering wheel in place before doing any steering shaft work. If you spin the wheel with the shaft disconnected you will disable your airbag.

I used the Lares 205 and my wheel is now off about 30° as well. This seems to be a common complaint. Pitman to steering gear, steering gear to input shaft, they all have keyed splines so it is impossible to install them incorrectly.