******* GMC '05 front shimmy????? seat motor problems....HELP

Duffy · 01-23-2009, 12:59 PM

Just got my GMC 2005 Sierra SLT 2500HD 4x4 diesel a month ago.
I've noticed a nice shake or shimmy in the steering wheel/column, front end when I go over a bump, develop within the month I've had it. Only 22,000 miles, truck seems to have been driven lightly. Not abused or beat. Any ideas? Should I have this taken care of before my lift is done? Since they'll be working on the front end when doing the lift could it be done then? I hate to take it to the dealer for them to hunt for the problem...

Also, the drivers seat electric motor that raises the front of the leather seat is stuck in the up position. When I hit the switch on the side of the seat the motor knocks or kicks a tiny bit like it's stuck, so it is getting electric. Could it be stuck?????? Or is the motor shot? Where can I purchase the deep socket to remove the front star/torks nut that holds down the seat rail? No one locally has it that I can find? Not enough room under the seats framework work. Thanks again, Duffy

bradrhale · 01-23-2009, 02:06 PM

the knocking sound you are hearing is more than likely a gear jumping teeth. cant really help you on finding a tool as i dont really know what you are looking at. might hve to formulate something to work.

batty1214 · 01-23-2009, 06:30 PM

the tool you are looking for can be ordered for you by the nearest gm dealership..... but they will try and talk you into letting them do it, and then charge you an enourmous bill for the tool. I had to get a tool to release the cooling hoses on the new GMC's at work...... ouch...... my super didnt like me using the visgrips

ukrkoz · 01-24-2009, 04:17 PM

oy! sounds like begining of the infamous "death wobble".
If you have standard paralellogram steering configuration, here's the culprits to check, before it gets REAL BAD:
pitman, steering gear, and idler arm. I had to replace idler arm.
If you have racknpinion, then check hub bearings.
After I replaced idler arm, it got better some, but not completely, until I replaced the driver side hub bearing.

Duffy · 01-26-2009, 01:32 PM

I took my truck to the 4x4 shop this morning to get started on the lift and mentioned the shimmy to them They knew exactly what it was, right after the test drive of about 2 minutes. it turns out that there is a faulty, cheap piece of $hit steering rod/shaft of some sort that GM is well aware of that goes bad in the steering column. Usually covered under warranty cause it goes bad before 3 years. So off to the dealer I went and their going to still cover it for me. It turns out that the previous owner took it in in 2007 for the same thing and they did the "quick fix" " slide the shafts in and out and some other magic and called it fixed since there was no replacement parts/fix back then. That's what the service guy told me today. I also mentioned the front seat motor was not working, stuck in the up position, and their going to cover that also under warranty. Holly ****! did I get lucky or what? He stated since I had only 22,000 miles on my truck they will cover it. I told them to do the 30,000 mile service while it was there. They'll make some profit from that. Hopefully it will be done late tomorrow so I can get it back up to get my lift and tires. Thanks for all help and info, Duffy

leolkfrm · 01-26-2009, 01:37 PM

Thanks for posting back results! Glad you saved the $$$$. post some pics when the lift is done

bradrhale · 01-26-2009, 02:52 PM

we hear more problems out of steering shafts and GMs than anything else. think the final decision was not to go with the OEM parts but with aftermarket. they lasts longer.

01-23-2009, 12:59 PM	#1
Duffy Full Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	******* GMC '05 front shimmy????? seat motor problems....HELP Just got my GMC 2005 Sierra SLT 2500HD 4x4 diesel a month ago. I've noticed a nice shake or shimmy in the steering wheel/column, front end when I go over a bump, develop within the month I've had it. Only 22,000 miles, truck seems to have been driven lightly. Not abused or beat. Any ideas? Should I have this taken care of before my lift is done? Since they'll be working on the front end when doing the lift could it be done then? I hate to take it to the dealer for them to hunt for the problem... Also, the drivers seat electric motor that raises the front of the leather seat is stuck in the up position. When I hit the switch on the side of the seat the motor knocks or kicks a tiny bit like it's stuck, so it is getting electric. Could it be stuck?????? Or is the motor shot? Where can I purchase the deep socket to remove the front star/torks nut that holds down the seat rail? No one locally has it that I can find? Not enough room under the seats framework work. Thanks again, Duffy

01-26-2009, 01:37 PM	#6
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,904	Thanks for posting back results! Glad you saved the $$$$. post some pics when the lift is done __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

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01-23-2009, 02:06 PM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,511	the knocking sound you are hearing is more than likely a gear jumping teeth. cant really help you on finding a tool as i dont really know what you are looking at. might hve to formulate something to work.

01-23-2009, 06:30 PM	#3
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,276	the tool you are looking for can be ordered for you by the nearest gm dealership..... but they will try and talk you into letting them do it, and then charge you an enourmous bill for the tool. I had to get a tool to release the cooling hoses on the new GMC's at work...... ouch...... my super didnt like me using the visgrips

01-24-2009, 04:17 PM	#4
ukrkoz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 173	oy! sounds like begining of the infamous "death wobble". If you have standard paralellogram steering configuration, here's the culprits to check, before it gets REAL BAD: pitman, steering gear, and idler arm. I had to replace idler arm. If you have racknpinion, then check hub bearings. After I replaced idler arm, it got better some, but not completely, until I replaced the driver side hub bearing.

01-26-2009, 01:32 PM	#5
Duffy Full Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 11	I took my truck to the 4x4 shop this morning to get started on the lift and mentioned the shimmy to them They knew exactly what it was, right after the test drive of about 2 minutes. it turns out that there is a faulty, cheap piece of $hit steering rod/shaft of some sort that GM is well aware of that goes bad in the steering column. Usually covered under warranty cause it goes bad before 3 years. So off to the dealer I went and their going to still cover it for me. It turns out that the previous owner took it in in 2007 for the same thing and they did the "quick fix" " slide the shafts in and out and some other magic and called it fixed since there was no replacement parts/fix back then. That's what the service guy told me today. I also mentioned the front seat motor was not working, stuck in the up position, and their going to cover that also under warranty. Holly ****! did I get lucky or what? He stated since I had only 22,000 miles on my truck they will cover it. I told them to do the 30,000 mile service while it was there. They'll make some profit from that. Hopefully it will be done late tomorrow so I can get it back up to get my lift and tires. Thanks for all help and info, Duffy

01-26-2009, 02:52 PM	#7
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,511	we hear more problems out of steering shafts and GMs than anything else. think the final decision was not to go with the OEM parts but with aftermarket. they lasts longer.