I have a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD diesel crew cab with 120,000 highway miles. No offroad. Owned since new. steering developed typical rattle and clunk. shop replaced intermediate steering column. Rattle and clunk remained BUT new problem developed of drift or play in steering wheel. Return to shop 2 weeks later, replaced I shaft again and tightened gear box. Drift and play remain. Rattle better but still there. Took to dealer who replaced pitman and idler arms, alignment and tighten further on gear box. Picked up and drove. NO change. Play in wheel still there and rattle. with truck turned off, I can grab column under dash and recreate rattle and wheel play. I want to replace lower steering column bearing and possibly upper bearing but shops say not problem. Need help. Can't drive truck safely with the play in steering wheel, about half inch or better.
SOURCE: Need pitman arm replaced and idler arm replaced
The idler isn't bad, Remove cotter pin going through the nut, take off nut, you need a seperator tool to pull apart the arm from the center link, once that is done, remove the two bolts holding it to the frame, remove arm, installation is just reverse.
The pitman arm is a little more to it. Do the same, remove cotter pin, take off nut, and seperate it from the rod, now there is big nut holding it on to the bottom of the steering box, take that nut off (some are a real pain), you will need a pitman arm puller to get it off. Note the position of the arm, need to put new one in same place, pull it off slow, sometimes seals will come with it, put seals back in same way, if they come out. Put some grease on splined shaft, tap new arm on until you can get nut on, tighten up with nut. Hopefully you have any problems. Good luck.
SOURCE: how do you remove the pitman arm from a chevrolet
you have too have a pitman arm puller you can borrow one from auto zone!!!!
with a small deposit!!!
SOURCE: I have a lot of play in the steering wheel
Provided as to wether or not your model has a steering damper (if smo, may likely need replacing) and the ball joints check good, it may be likely that you have a worn steering gear. Many types are adjustable or rebuildable.
SOURCE: I think that it is
Reading your symptoms seems like it's a cv joint, aka front axle, and not your steering stop. If it's a cv joint it will lock front tire up while turning and almost learch one end of the truck up as it turns. Does this sound like your problem? if so I bet that's your problem. Steering stops, normally there is an edge on the knuckle that hits the control arm to stop from turning to far. With turck on ground, turn wheel all the way and visualy check to see if tire is hitting frame or something else. If so, I don't know how to tell you to fix. Sorry.
SOURCE: Excessive play after steering gear box and intermdt shaft replace
It is very important to take this back and have it looked at by the shop that did the repair. The steering box would come pre-adjusted. I'm afraid they may have left something loose...it happens. Try phoning them, they may even want to tow it or send someone out to check it. Driving with the steering box coming unbolted from the frame would be tricky.
Testimonial: "thanks for the quick response!"
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