94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

[yourkiddin]

truck has 198,000 miles on it. i have to constantly adjust wheel back and forth about two inches left and right. done some research and it looks like it points to the wheel bearings or front end components. im wondering if i can change just the bearings to see if it fixes problem. or do i have to replace the wheel hub assembly? has anyone replaced the bearings and it fixed this problem? im not wanting to spend a 100 dollars on each side to replace the hub assembly if it dont fix problem.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

Pitman arm. Common problem.

I have a 1995 K2500 with 198K

I really would jack it up and support the front end and check for worn parts.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

I would think work wheel bearings would be giving you a rumble. Sounds like tie rods to me.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

Have you had the front end aligned? Probably toed out a little due to worn components.
Mike

 

[rickryder]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

Could be many things...tie rod ends, pitman arm, ball joints,drag link,steering box worn..... only way to tell is to jack it up and start shaking the wheels to see whats moving around.

I doubt that the hub is bad the bearing has a race it rides on....only time I see a hub go bad is if the bearing fails completely and tears it up.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

I would check the steering box, Chevy's in the past have been famous for steering boxes wearing, but as others have said, jack both front wheels up and start shaking the wheels to see where your getting the movement...

I seriously doubt it is the bearings, when they go, normally you know it....

 

[CR CRUISER]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

By chance are you running Toyo Open Country A/T tires?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

By chance are you running Toyo Open Country A/T tires?

I use these tires, I think I've gone through 8 full sets on my company trucks, about one set per year (50,000 to 60,000 miles) have them on my personal F150 too, never had a driving issue with them.

 

[Guest]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

Sounds like you have have some worn front end parts that cause the problem. I'd take it to a reputable front end shop ASAP and have them check it out. It may be a saftety problem if one of those front end steering parts were to give way when you are going down the interstate and then who know what will happen.Get it checked out right now please as we don't want to be on the same road you are when it does gove out. I don't want to meet you that way in a colision!

 

[mkast]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

if it dont fix problem.

Take the vehicle to ANY two shops for a FREE front end inspection.
When you find out how much is in need of replacement, do the work yourself.

 

[robert graham]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

Probably a warn out steering idler link bar or steering gear box. The link bar is cheap, the gear box is not so cheap. You need to get the vehicle up on a lift to inspect thoroughly. Your 1994 should still have zerk grease fittings on the front end/steering...has it been greased?

 

[korygrandy]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

I just replaced my idler arm, pitman arm and right inner tie-rod end and my steering wheel is cocked now as well. I'm thinking i might have needed to pay closer attention to the steering wheel position when I did all these parts, and not paying attention caused the wheel to get turned left of center quite a bit.

truck has 198,000 miles on it. i have to constantly adjust wheel back and forth about two inches left and right. done some research and it looks like it points to the wheel bearings or front end components. im wondering if i can change just the bearings to see if it fixes problem. or do i have to replace the wheel hub assembly? has anyone replaced the bearings and it fixed this problem? im not wanting to spend a 100 dollars on each side to replace the hub assembly if it dont fix problem.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 94 silverado/ constant stearing wheel adjustment

Could be normal. Back in the 80's, I drove a ford bronco (work rig) all week, few hundred miles. Then I'd get into my Chevy van and drive 60 miles home. Front tires squeeked and chirped for the first mile or so till I learned that the steering was that much tighter than the Ford.