Steering issue on 01 suburban - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jerblazer72 · 01-23-2011, 10:49 PM

Fellas,
I hope someone can help me out with this one, it is driving me CRAZY! I have an 01 1500 suburban that I bought used 3 years ago. The steering has been jacked up since I bought the rig. The issue I have with it is when I turn it sharp in reverse or forward, the tire that is on the outside of the turn drags. Instead of following the curve, its as if it turns too much or the angle is not right or something weird and its as if the front end is fighting itself. It will leave a black mark of tread on my driveway every time.

I have had it to the tire shop multiple times and they tell me its normal. I have had alignments done and it all checks out right, but something is definately amiss. I could be on an hill and if I crank the wheels to the right all the way, the rig would not even roll downhill because it binds up so bad. The closest way I can describe it is like trying to drive a 4wd in 4wd on a paved road and making a turn, you know how it catches and jerks while turning. I intially thought maybe my transfer case was stuck in 4wd. I jacked it up, put 4 jack stands under it and then put it into drive. It was not stuck in 4wd.

It is bad enough to prematurely wear out the front tires in under 25k miles, only on the outside where they drag insead of turning properly.

It makes me so frustrated that I have wanted to sell it many times. I dont know the history of the rig prior to my buying it, in fact I have been a bit scared of doing a carfax on it for fear of what I may find out. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas or thoughts on directions I should go to solve the issue I sure would appreciate it.

**truckdude239** · 01-24-2011, 08:18 AM

What size tires are on it?

Jerblazer72 · 01-24-2011, 05:14 PM

the tires are stock. I have made no modifications, still running factory wheels. Thanks.

droppedgmc · 01-24-2011, 10:26 PM

have the front axles been checked? has the inner/ outer tierods been checked? how about ball joints upper/ lower?

Jerblazer72 · 01-24-2011, 11:15 PM

"Theoretically" all of those things checked out when they did the alignment. They said everything looked good but something is definatly amiss.

Jerblazer72 · 02-01-2011, 05:51 PM

TTT Anyone have any ideas?

**truckdude239** · 02-01-2011, 11:39 PM

i'd take it to a diffreent shop maybe even the dealer and have there tech ride with you to show him what you are talking about. if the wheel is draging the front diff could be stuck engaged not eth t-case

gmclowsierra · 02-20-2011, 09:27 PM

is th ride height adjusted to where it should be sounds to me like the alingment needs to be looked at again maybe by a different shop

01-23-2011, 10:49 PM	#1
Jerblazer72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kaysville, Utah Posts: 119	Steering issue on 01 suburban Fellas, I hope someone can help me out with this one, it is driving me CRAZY! I have an 01 1500 suburban that I bought used 3 years ago. The steering has been jacked up since I bought the rig. The issue I have with it is when I turn it sharp in reverse or forward, the tire that is on the outside of the turn drags. Instead of following the curve, its as if it turns too much or the angle is not right or something weird and its as if the front end is fighting itself. It will leave a black mark of tread on my driveway every time. I have had it to the tire shop multiple times and they tell me its normal. I have had alignments done and it all checks out right, but something is definately amiss. I could be on an hill and if I crank the wheels to the right all the way, the rig would not even roll downhill because it binds up so bad. The closest way I can describe it is like trying to drive a 4wd in 4wd on a paved road and making a turn, you know how it catches and jerks while turning. I intially thought maybe my transfer case was stuck in 4wd. I jacked it up, put 4 jack stands under it and then put it into drive. It was not stuck in 4wd. It is bad enough to prematurely wear out the front tires in under 25k miles, only on the outside where they drag insead of turning properly. It makes me so frustrated that I have wanted to sell it many times. I dont know the history of the rig prior to my buying it, in fact I have been a bit scared of doing a carfax on it for fear of what I may find out. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas or thoughts on directions I should go to solve the issue I sure would appreciate it.

01-24-2011, 08:18 AM	#2
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: Steering issue on 01 suburban What size tires are on it? __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

01-24-2011, 05:14 PM	#3
Jerblazer72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kaysville, Utah Posts: 119	Re: Steering issue on 01 suburban the tires are stock. I have made no modifications, still running factory wheels. Thanks.

01-24-2011, 10:26 PM	#4
droppedgmc Truck Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arlington, WA Posts: 1,346	Re: Steering issue on 01 suburban have the front axles been checked? has the inner/ outer tierods been checked? how about ball joints upper/ lower? __________________ '85 swb Last edited by droppedgmc; 01-24-2011 at 10:26 PM.

01-24-2011, 11:15 PM	#5
Jerblazer72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kaysville, Utah Posts: 119	Re: Steering issue on 01 suburban "Theoretically" all of those things checked out when they did the alignment. They said everything looked good but something is definatly amiss.

02-01-2011, 05:51 PM	#6
Jerblazer72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kaysville, Utah Posts: 119	Re: Steering issue on 01 suburban TTT Anyone have any ideas?

02-01-2011, 11:39 PM	#7
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: Steering issue on 01 suburban i'd take it to a diffreent shop maybe even the dealer and have there tech ride with you to show him what you are talking about. if the wheel is draging the front diff could be stuck engaged not eth t-case __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube Last edited by truckdude239; 02-01-2011 at 11:40 PM.

02-20-2011, 09:27 PM	#8
gmclowsierra Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: williamsport,pa Posts: 329	Re: Steering issue on 01 suburban is th ride height adjusted to where it should be sounds to me like the alingment needs to be looked at again maybe by a different shop

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