96 Suburban K1500 wandering

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chevchev

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Just replaced the steering gearbox, outer tie rods and pitman arm on my Burb, but its still wandering and still have about 1/2-1 inch of play in the steering wheel. Could a leaking power steering pump cause this?

There is no sensor on the ps pump, that means i do not have the EVO sensor, right?

Also replaced the rag joint.
 

1998_K1500_Sub

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At least a couple of the posts in this thread could be relevant to your situation. The thread's about steering, but read through it for comments about the steering shaft and ball joints.


The idler arm assembly can get loose, don't forget that one.

Slop in the control arm bushings may be a factor, as would "play" in the hub bearings.

Finally, "Yes", it sounds like you don't have the EVO since you (as reported) don't have the EV orifice on the back of your PS pump.
 

chevchev

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Thanks a lot for your replies. I will give the idler another look. One of the control arms is also replaced, the other one is okay. I forgot to mention that the Burb got a lot better after i replaced all those parts and got it aligned. The wheel bearings also seems to be fine, but it is still wandering a bit. The only thing i know needs to be replaced is the ps pump.

Yes the steering gearbox is a rebuild i believe.
 

Curt

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My burb started doing the cupid shuffle after the passenger side lower ball joint crapped out. If you point the truck straight on the highway, it'd be fine then all of a sudden turn slightly left or right depending on how it felt, then took it would take a more than usual amount of tiny steering inputs to get the truck going straight again just to repeat the process within 5 minutes (aka the truck was wandering). I agree with everyone else to check everything, but I'd keep a close eye on those lower ball joints.
 

thebigcar

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Power Steering is hydraulic assist so when you turn the wheel, you don't have to use man strength (it's the reason why women are able to drive tractor trailers today and steering wheels don't have to be 17"+ diameter any more) - if your power steering pump is failing, you're going to have a hard time turning the wheels at low to no speed. Some play is expected in recircular ball steering gears because of gear backlash and in my opinion, 1/2" at the steering wheel would be on the far limit of acceptable. Get under your truck with a long screwdriver or pry bar and slip joint pliers and check your tie rods, idler arms and ball joints for slop. In 2022 just because a part is new doesn't mean it's not bad ...
 

1998_K1500_Sub

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Power Steering is hydraulic assist so when you turn the wheel, you don't have to use man strength

You reminded me of something…

Power steering ”assist” occurs when the torsion bar in the spool valve is displaced… “twisted”. So there is always some (minor?) lost motion in the steering shaft if one is to have power assist.

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doc2500

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Just replaced the steering gearbox, outer tie rods and pitman arm on my Burb, but its still wandering and still have about 1/2-1 inch of play in the steering wheel. Could a leaking power steering pump cause this?

There is no sensor on the ps pump, that means i do not have the EVO sensor, right?

Also replaced the rag joint.
Everything already said, and to top it off, look at Cognito support kit and SuperSteer bracket. And, also basic, but rotate your tires, sometimes it’s hiding there too.
 
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