99 Sierra with serious steering problem

huntinstud · 05-07-2008, 06:42 PM

I own a 99 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 that has developed a serious steering problem. I have replaced the Idler Arm, both front axles, both inner Tie Rods, the driver side Hub and Splindle Bearing. The truck has been lined up and drives a straight line perfectly. Problem is turning. When you fully turn either way the tires have a 2" (?? degrees) toe in instead of the proper 2 degree toe out. The tires are so toed in that they scrub badly. I'm thinking Rack and Pinion...... ideas?

75K30 · 05-08-2008, 12:19 AM

Welcome to the site;

Is there any relationship between this and any wheel spacers, or heavy offset wheels?
Is there a caster problem? Do you have specs for your most recent alignment?
Sounds like the scrub radius is off, and either aftermarket wheels, or spacers are changing the spindle axis at the hub during turns.
Is this problem the same for both directions?

gmctrucks · 05-08-2008, 03:21 AM

I'm confused again. Hey huntinstud welcome to the club I wish I could help you but I don't know beans about whats going on.

huntinstud · 05-08-2008, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the welcome guys.
I don't have any of the data for the allignment but have known the guy for years. beleive me he is good. He tells me everything is dead on except the toe out on turns. It has original wheels and spec sized tires. Nothing has been changed or altered except for the new parts we have installed.
I don't know anything about the new "Rack" style steering and that's why I wonder if it could be the problem. Is it possible for it to pull one side in further than it is pushing the other?

87c10slammer · 05-08-2008, 08:35 AM

i know that with my rc trucks if i make the tierods to long or short it throws that out of wack. i would try lengthining them a little so you have some clearance. it it jsut one side or both/ any accidents? sometimes a large pothole or ditch will tweak a control arm enough that it will be out of wack. what was the reason you replaced all this. did it come about all the suddon? or did you hit a curb/tree/anything else imobile? a little more info on when the broblem started would help

75K30 · 05-08-2008, 09:36 AM

That truck does not use a "rack" system, it does have a conventional box, and center link.
The next problem that I can think of is the amount of lift that the truck has???
Have you applied more tension to the torsion bars in an attempt to gain a little extra lift? The length of the tie rods will be the culprit at full lock if this is the case, and the wheels will not be able to turn far enough.
Any way you can snap a pic of the front of the control arms, so the angles can be seen?

huntinstud · 05-08-2008, 10:13 AM

No accidents just average driving. No off road abuse. Has a toe in at full turn either way.
The parts changed out were bad/loose etc.
Nothing has been changed on the torsion.
Drove bad befor e work but noticed this problem right after the shop worked it over.

I will try to post a pic of the control arms etc this PM

huntinstud · 05-14-2008, 12:49 PM

Sorry I never have had a chance to get the pics on this. I have been out of town too much. Anyway, I have it in the local GM Dealers shop. I will see if they find anything that is causing the problem.

05-07-2008, 06:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
huntinstud Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 4	99 Sierra with serious steering problem I own a 99 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 that has developed a serious steering problem. I have replaced the Idler Arm, both front axles, both inner Tie Rods, the driver side Hub and Splindle Bearing. The truck has been lined up and drives a straight line perfectly. Problem is turning. When you fully turn either way the tires have a 2" (?? degrees) toe in instead of the proper 2 degree toe out. The tires are so toed in that they scrub badly. I'm thinking Rack and Pinion...... ideas?

05-08-2008, 08:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
87c10slammer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: levittown pa Posts: 658	i know that with my rc trucks if i make the tierods to long or short it throws that out of wack. i would try lengthining them a little so you have some clearance. it it jsut one side or both/ any accidents? sometimes a large pothole or ditch will tweak a control arm enough that it will be out of wack. what was the reason you replaced all this. did it come about all the suddon? or did you hit a curb/tree/anything else imobile? a little more info on when the broblem started would help __________________ HONDAS ARE LIKE ******! EVERY ONE HAS ONE 87 C10 SLAMMEd 400+hp 383 almost done. 00 GMC JIMMY wifes truck but my other toy**

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05-08-2008, 12:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,284	Welcome to the site; Is there any relationship between this and any wheel spacers, or heavy offset wheels? Is there a caster problem? Do you have specs for your most recent alignment? Sounds like the scrub radius is off, and either aftermarket wheels, or spacers are changing the spindle axis at the hub during turns. Is this problem the same for both directions?

05-08-2008, 03:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 1,057	I'm confused again. Hey huntinstud welcome to the club I wish I could help you but I don't know beans about whats going on.

05-08-2008, 06:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
huntinstud Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 4	Thanks for the welcome guys. I don't have any of the data for the allignment but have known the guy for years. beleive me he is good. He tells me everything is dead on except the toe out on turns. It has original wheels and spec sized tires. Nothing has been changed or altered except for the new parts we have installed. I don't know anything about the new "Rack" style steering and that's why I wonder if it could be the problem. Is it possible for it to pull one side in further than it is pushing the other?

05-08-2008, 09:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,284	That truck does not use a "rack" system, it does have a conventional box, and center link. The next problem that I can think of is the amount of lift that the truck has??? Have you applied more tension to the torsion bars in an attempt to gain a little extra lift? The length of the tie rods will be the culprit at full lock if this is the case, and the wheels will not be able to turn far enough. Any way you can snap a pic of the front of the control arms, so the angles can be seen?

05-08-2008, 10:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
huntinstud Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 4	No accidents just average driving. No off road abuse. Has a toe in at full turn either way. The parts changed out were bad/loose etc. Nothing has been changed on the torsion. Drove bad befor e work but noticed this problem right after the shop worked it over. I will try to post a pic of the control arms etc this PM

05-14-2008, 12:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
huntinstud Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 4	Sorry I never have had a chance to get the pics on this. I have been out of town too much. Anyway, I have it in the local GM Dealers shop. I will see if they find anything that is causing the problem.