98 Z-71 5.7 Vortec; Having Front end Problems.
Question:
Does it feel like your power steering briefly looses pressure all of the sudden as you are turning a corner and then grabs? Is your heater, defroster or air conditioner running when it happens? I have experienced this with my 97′ and was told it was caused when the AC etc.. kicks on and off their is a brief loss of pressure that transfers to the power steering because it is all connected by the one belt under the hood. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have a 98 GMC Z71 K1500 with a Vortec 5700 under the hood. My problem is >this, I have something happening in the front end. Most times but not all >when I turn the wheel to the left or the right I reach a point where the >steering gets tough and then lets loose. The "hump" is occuring when I turn >the wheel approximately 15- 20 degrees to the left or the right. I have >replaced the idler and pitman arms ( because I was told to do so). I am >finding out its like playing a guessing game when it comes to diagnosing >front end problems. >Someone else told me it may be my steering box slipping. I was hoping it >was going to be something a little less costly. >The feel is when the steering reaches its almost as if the front end shifts >to the opposite side of the turn I am negotiating. >I am at a loss; I cant seem to get a straight answer at all out of anyone. >Do Ball Joints act this way if they get worn out? The truck has 63,000 >miles on it. never been off road or abused in any way. >If there is anyone out there who may be able to shed some light Please help. >Thanks >Steve >– >Steve >Northeast Traffic Counts
Response:
I have spoken with many different people including GM. I guess thay have been having problems with this sensor. EVO Sensor. A few people have had the same problem. I havent had the time to bring it to the shop yet but I plan to next week. Thanks for all the help.
> Please post if this is the case. If SSPS sensors go out and this is the > result, I would like to know about it. It sounds dangerous as hell and they > are put in many vehicles of all makes. > Ken.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Just a guess here, but, that truck has what is called speed sensitive > steering. There is a sensor that monitors speed, the faster you go, the > stiffer the steering gets, keeps you from losing control and > oversteering at high speed. Sounds to me like the sensor may have > gone bad. I have a 97 Chevy Z-71, it happened to me when i was using > circular entry ramps on the highway. the kind where make a big circle > to access another major street, my speed was usually anywhere from 20- > 35 mph. the steering would be taught, like something was holding it > firm and then would let go. Not a very comfortable situation when you > oversteer on a ramp like that,but given the release my radius would go > from 30-35 degrees. I looked drunk driving up the access ramps. HEHE. > Anyway, LSS, have the sensor checked. > Before you buy.
Response:
That sounds like a load of crap. I have had the truck since it 98 when it had 9 miles on it. It just started happening. About 6000 miles ago. Who ever told you that was giving some lame excuse. Have your EVO sensor checked on the steering box. It has to do with your speed sensitive steering.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Does it feel like your power steering briefly looses pressure all of the > sudden as you are turning a corner and then grabs? Is your heater, > defroster or air conditioner running when it happens? I have experienced > this with my 97′ and was told it was caused when the AC etc.. kicks on and > off their is a brief loss of pressure that transfers to the power steering > because it is all connected by the one belt under the hood. >I have a 98 GMC Z71 K1500 with a Vortec 5700 under the hood. My problem is >this, I have something happening in the front end. Most times but not all >when I turn the wheel to the left or the right I reach a point where the >steering gets tough and then lets loose. The "hump" is occuring when I > turn >the wheel approximately 15- 20 degrees to the left or the right. I have >replaced the idler and pitman arms ( because I was told to do so). I am >finding out its like playing a guessing game when it comes to diagnosing >front end problems. >Someone else told me it may be my steering box slipping. I was hoping it >was going to be something a little less costly. >The feel is when the steering reaches its almost as if the front end shifts >to the opposite side of the turn I am negotiating. >I am at a loss; I cant seem to get a straight answer at all out of anyone. >Do Ball Joints act this way if they get worn out? The truck has 63,000 >miles on it. never been off road or abused in any way. >If there is anyone out there who may be able to shed some light Please > help. >Thanks >Steve >– >Steve >Northeast Traffic Counts
Response:
>I have a 98 GMC Z71 K1500 with a Vortec 5700 under the hood. My problem is >this, I have something happening in the front end. Most times but not all >when I turn the wheel to the left or the right I reach a point where the >steering gets tough and then lets loose. The "hump" is occuring when I turn >the wheel approximately 15- 20 degrees to the left or the right. I have >replaced the idler and pitman arms ( because I was told to do so). I am >finding out its like playing a guessing game when it comes to diagnosing >front end problems.
Does it compare to driving on ice? That is the description most given for this problem. Change the steering wheel position sensor in the base of the steering column. Big Daddy ICQ#6342575 ASE Master Auto Technition Chevrolet Certified Master Tech.
Response:
I have a 98 GMC Z71 K1500 with a Vortec 5700 under the hood. My problem is this, I have something happening in the front end. Most times but not all when I turn the wheel to the left or the right I reach a point where the steering gets tough and then lets loose. The "hump" is occuring when I turn the wheel approximately 15- 20 degrees to the left or the right. I have replaced the idler and pitman arms ( because I was told to do so). I am finding out its like playing a guessing game when it comes to diagnosing front end problems. Someone else told me it may be my steering box slipping. I was hoping it was going to be something a little less costly. The feel is when the steering reaches its almost as if the front end shifts to the opposite side of the turn I am negotiating. I am at a loss; I cant seem to get a straight answer at all out of anyone. Do Ball Joints act this way if they get worn out? The truck has 63,000 miles on it. never been off road or abused in any way. If there is anyone out there who may be able to shed some light Please help. Thanks Steve — Steve Northeast Traffic Counts
Response:
Sounds like something to do with your variable effort steering. Could be either the sensor or the valve.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a 98 GMC Z71 K1500 with a Vortec 5700 under the hood. My problem is > this, I have something happening in the front end. Most times but not all > when I turn the wheel to the left or the right I reach a point where the > steering gets tough and then lets loose. The "hump" is occuring when I turn > the wheel approximately 15- 20 degrees to the left or the right. I have > replaced the idler and pitman arms ( because I was told to do so). I am > finding out its like playing a guessing game when it comes to diagnosing > front end problems. > Someone else told me it may be my steering box slipping. I was hoping it > was going to be something a little less costly. > The feel is when the steering reaches its almost as if the front end shifts > to the opposite side of the turn I am negotiating. > I am at a loss; I cant seem to get a straight answer at all out of anyone. > Do Ball Joints act this way if they get worn out? The truck has 63,000 > miles on it. never been off road or abused in any way. > If there is anyone out there who may be able to shed some light Please help. > Thanks > Steve > — > Steve > Northeast Traffic Counts
Response:
It might be your power steering belt. something similar was happening to my truck, but i am not sure.
Response:
Just a guess here, but, that truck has what is called speed sensitive steering. There is a sensor that monitors speed, the faster you go, the stiffer the steering gets, keeps you from losing control and oversteering at high speed. Sounds to me like the sensor may have gone bad. I have a 97 Chevy Z-71, it happened to me when i was using circular entry ramps on the highway. the kind where make a big circle to access another major street, my speed was usually anywhere from 20- 35 mph. the steering would be taught, like something was holding it firm and then would let go. Not a very comfortable situation when you oversteer on a ramp like that,but given the release my radius would go from 30-35 degrees. I looked drunk driving up the access ramps. HEHE. Anyway, LSS, have the sensor checked. Before you buy.
Response:
Please post if this is the case. If SSPS sensors go out and this is the result, I would like to know about it. It sounds dangerous as hell and they are put in many vehicles of all makes. Ken. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Just a guess here, but, that truck has what is called speed sensitive > steering. There is a sensor that monitors speed, the faster you go, the > stiffer the steering gets, keeps you from losing control and > oversteering at high speed. Sounds to me like the sensor may have > gone bad. I have a 97 Chevy Z-71, it happened to me when i was using > circular entry ramps on the highway. the kind where make a big circle > to access another major street, my speed was usually anywhere from 20- > 35 mph. the steering would be taught, like something was holding it > firm and then would let go. Not a very comfortable situation when you > oversteer on a ramp like that,but given the release my radius would go > from 30-35 degrees. I looked drunk driving up the access ramps. HEHE. > Anyway, LSS, have the sensor checked. > Before you buy.
Response:
I don’t think full size -99 chevy’s had speed sensitive steering….they had rec. ball steering until 99 (2wd) swithced to rack and pinion.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Please post if this is the case. If SSPS sensors go out and this is the >result, I would like to know about it. It sounds dangerous as hell and they >are put in many vehicles of all makes. >Ken. > Just a guess here, but, that truck has what is called speed sensitive > steering. There is a sensor that monitors speed, the faster you go, the > stiffer the steering gets, keeps you from losing control and > oversteering at high speed. Sounds to me like the sensor may have > gone bad. I have a 97 Chevy Z-71, it happened to me when i was using > circular entry ramps on the highway. the kind where make a big circle > to access another major street, my speed was usually anywhere from 20- > 35 mph. the steering would be taught, like something was holding it > firm and then would let go. Not a very comfortable situation when you > oversteer on a ramp like that,but given the release my radius would go > from 30-35 degrees. I looked drunk driving up the access ramps. HEHE. > Anyway, LSS, have the sensor checked. > Before you buy.
