c5dura
06-30-2004, 11:20
I had my steering box replaced at 13k after the seal went bad a second time. There is a lot more play in this new box that the original.
Also, when turning on rough roads and sometimes also when going strait, there is a definite shutter/rattle. I have read all about the infamous steering rattle on this board and how bearing kit 26099860 will fix it (I'm pretty sure my box has code HD or CB on it).
I was due for new tires (truck got 31k on it) and prior to having this done, I took the service manager for a ride and demonstrated the steering rattle to him as I was able to make it happen at will with the worn out tires and rotors that needed turning. The whole truck would start to rattle, and continue to do so even after I got off the brake.
They put 6 news tires on (BFG 235-85-16 as before) and turned the rotors. I can no longer make the steering rattle occur at will, but I'm still noticing the rattle when going over rought roads and/or turning. It will even happen sometimes going down the Interstate at 74 mph.
However, it is not as severe as before. But what really bugs me is that when I'm riding down the Interstate in the left lane, I have to keep the steering wheel about 1/8 turn to the right in order to stay in the lane. When I'm in the right lane, the steering wheel points straight ahead when I stay in my lane. (yes, they did an alignment as well when they replaced the tires/turned the rotors).
So as far as I'm concerned, the original problem has not been solved. Turning the rotors just eliminated the easy way to induce the rattle.
The manager tells me that these trucks all have some play in the steering and that I should be happy to only have 1/8 of a turn worth of play.
I'm just not buying it, but before I make a scene at the dealer, I was wondering if anyone else are experiencing the same problem and if this is "normal" or not.
I should also mention that they replaced my idler arm under warranty when I first complained about this 4 months ago. It didn't make a bit of a difference.
None of my other vehicles has this much play, so I don't understand why I should accept it in my $48k truck.
Does the service manual mention anything about acceptable steering wheel play?
I'm afraid all my front end components are worn out and the dealer doesn't want to deal with replacing them to fix the sloppiness until I'm out of warrany in 5000 miles.
Also, when turning on rough roads and sometimes also when going strait, there is a definite shutter/rattle. I have read all about the infamous steering rattle on this board and how bearing kit 26099860 will fix it (I'm pretty sure my box has code HD or CB on it).
I was due for new tires (truck got 31k on it) and prior to having this done, I took the service manager for a ride and demonstrated the steering rattle to him as I was able to make it happen at will with the worn out tires and rotors that needed turning. The whole truck would start to rattle, and continue to do so even after I got off the brake.
They put 6 news tires on (BFG 235-85-16 as before) and turned the rotors. I can no longer make the steering rattle occur at will, but I'm still noticing the rattle when going over rought roads and/or turning. It will even happen sometimes going down the Interstate at 74 mph.
However, it is not as severe as before. But what really bugs me is that when I'm riding down the Interstate in the left lane, I have to keep the steering wheel about 1/8 turn to the right in order to stay in the lane. When I'm in the right lane, the steering wheel points straight ahead when I stay in my lane. (yes, they did an alignment as well when they replaced the tires/turned the rotors).
So as far as I'm concerned, the original problem has not been solved. Turning the rotors just eliminated the easy way to induce the rattle.
The manager tells me that these trucks all have some play in the steering and that I should be happy to only have 1/8 of a turn worth of play.
I'm just not buying it, but before I make a scene at the dealer, I was wondering if anyone else are experiencing the same problem and if this is "normal" or not.
I should also mention that they replaced my idler arm under warranty when I first complained about this 4 months ago. It didn't make a bit of a difference.
None of my other vehicles has this much play, so I don't understand why I should accept it in my $48k truck.
Does the service manual mention anything about acceptable steering wheel play?
I'm afraid all my front end components are worn out and the dealer doesn't want to deal with replacing them to fix the sloppiness until I'm out of warrany in 5000 miles.