I recently picked up a 1 family owned 03 suburban z71. Threw tires on it and drove it home 1000 miles (Texas to the rust belt!) I’ve started to do some maintenance/upgrades: leveled with torsion keys & new bilstein 5100s. Now that the front end isn’t on the bump stops the steering is very light. I ordered a Wolff engineering bearing for the steering column because there is a slight noise in that area. The ball joints, tie rods seems to be in good shape, with the front end in the air all play from the wheels matches the movement in the steering column if that makes sense. Any suggestions on what to try next? I planned on getting an alignment after installing the keys but I want to get this steering situation figured out first.
Loose steering
- Thread starter TomO
- Start date
First, welcome to the forum.
When you say "loose" is it that it's really easy to steer, or that there's a lot of movement in the center of the steering box?
There's a bunch of videos on youtube for removing some of the slack from a worn steering box. You might give that a shot.
When you say "loose" is it that it's really easy to steer, or that there's a lot of movement in the center of the steering box?
There's a bunch of videos on youtube for removing some of the slack from a worn steering box. You might give that a shot.
stutaeng
Well-Known Member
Welcome from Texas! What part of the state did you buy that Suburban from?
Got any photos?
Got any photos?
Extremely easy to steer. Think adjusting the steering box will help or should it be replaced?
Last edited:
99Sierra2500
Well-Known Member
Welcome fellow Hoosier, nice 'burb
Marky Dissod
Well-Known Member
When you go for the alignment (unless the alignment tech is a dooftard), you'll find out if the steering box is loose.
If on the other hand you're sure that the only steering play is in the box itself
(I know you tested it up in the air, but my knees and back work fine up in the air)
shop around for a Lee Power Steering Box, or one from a remanufacturer with a similarly revered reputation.
I agree just wanting to do most of the work myself!
99Sierra2500
Well-Known Member
What does the camber look like on the wheels? Changing the keys will change the alignment, which could account for a floating feeling.
Got it the best I could after the lift. Had the floating feel before the lift too.
99Sierra2500
Well-Known Member
ORVietVet posted a discount here
Yea, that 5% parts savings would save $53.52.ORVietVet posted a discount here
stutaeng
Well-Known Member
You bought a white Suburban Z71 identical to one @FW_Z71Burb bought a recently. Or did he sell you his? [thinking emoji]
A complete front-end rebuild seems like a really good idea. If you want to save a bit of coin, consider ordering the ball joints and the bushings for LCA. Those are the forged type LCA and definitely can be swapped, but you need a shop press. A transmission or suspension shop can get those swapped and probably wouldn't charge you that much. Or buy a cheap used shop press and resell it after doing the job yourself. Just a thought.
A complete front-end rebuild seems like a really good idea. If you want to save a bit of coin, consider ordering the ball joints and the bushings for LCA. Those are the forged type LCA and definitely can be swapped, but you need a shop press. A transmission or suspension shop can get those swapped and probably wouldn't charge you that much. Or buy a cheap used shop press and resell it after doing the job yourself. Just a thought.
All the parts should be here by the end of the day - hope to get this project done by the end of the long weekend and have it aligned next week. Are there any good resources for the torque specs for these front end components?
99Sierra2500
Well-Known Member
The shop manuals at charm.li have everything.
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