Truck steering wheel moves on its own. Could this

Sure, I can help you with that. Here are a few things you can check to see why the steering column on your Grasshopper Junior golf buggy is not staying vertical: Make sure that the locating bolt at the base of the column is tightened all the way. Check for any loose or damaged components in the steering column assembly. Make sure that the steering wheel is properly aligned. If you have checked all of these things and the steering column is still not staying vertical, you may need to take the buggy to a qualified mechanic for further diagnosis and repair. Here are the steps on how to tighten the locating bolt at the base of the steering column on a Grasshopper Junior golf buggy: Locate the locating bolt at the base of the steering column. Use a wrench to tighten the locating bolt clockwise until it is snug. Do not overtighten the locating bolt, as you may strip the threads. Test the steering column to make sure that it is staying vertical. If you have tightened the locating bolt all the way and the steering column is still not staying vertical, you may need to check for any loose or damaged components in the steering column assembly. Here are some of the components you can check: Steering column shaft Steering column bearing Steering column joint Steering wheel If you find any loose or damaged components, you will need to replace them before the steering column will stay vertical. If you have checked all of the components in the steering column assembly and they are not loose or damaged, you may need to make sure that the steering wheel is properly aligned. Here are the steps on how to align the steering wheel on a Grasshopper Junior golf buggy: Locate the steering wheel adjustment screws. Turn the steering wheel adjustment screws clockwise or counterclockwise until the steering wheel is centered. Tighten the steering wheel adjustment screws to secure the steering wheel in place. If you have aligned the steering wheel and the steering column is still not staying vertical, you may need to take the buggy to a qualified mechanic for further diagnosis and repair.

Open the hood and have someone turn the steering wheel. Look to see if the steering shaft is moving at the firewall, If not, then the steering wheel shaft in the column is bad. If it moves, then the connection to the steering box could be bad. Look to see if the steering box pitman arm, the part that comes out of the lower part of the steering box moves. You may have broken steering linkage.

Which power steering system does your vehicle have ? EPS - electric power steering or hydraulic power steering . Do you have a EPS light lit on the instrument cluster ?

Power Steering System Description and Operation (EPS)
The power steering system reduces the amount of effort needed to steer the vehicle. The system uses the powertrain control module (PCM), body control module (BCM), power steering control module (PSCM), discrete battery voltage supply circuit, steering shaft torque sensor, steering wheel position sensor, power steering motor, driver information center (DIC), and the serial data circuit to perform the system functions. The PSCM and the power steering motor are serviced as an assembly and are serviced separately from the steering column assembly. The steering shaft torque sensor and the steering wheel position sensor are not serviced separately from each other or from the steering column assembly. The steering column assembly does not include the power steering motor and module assembly.

Power Steering System Description and Operation (HPS)
The hydraulic power steering pump is a constant displacement vane-type pump that provides hydraulic pressure and flow for the power steering gear. The hydraulic power steering pumps are either belt-driven or direct-drive, cam-driven.
The power steering fluid reservoir holds the power steering fluid and may be integral with the power steering pump or remotely located. The following locations are typical locations for the remote reservoir:
• Mounted to the front of the dash panel
• Mounted to the inner fender
• Mounted to a bracket on the engine
The 2 basic types of power steering gears are listed below:
• A recirculating ball system
• A rack and pinion system
In the recirculating ball system, a worm gear converts steering wheel movement to movement of a sector shaft. A pitman arm attached to the bottom of the sector shaft actually moves one tie rod and an intermediate rod move the other tie rod.
In the rack and pinion system, the rack and the pinion are the 2 components that convert steering wheel rotation to lateral movement. The steering shaft is attached to the pinion in the steering gear. The pinion rotates with the steering wheel. Gear teeth on the pinion mesh with the gear teeth on the rack. The rotating pinion moves the rack from side to side. The lateral action of the rack pushes and pulls the tie rods in order to change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.
The power steering pressure hose connects the power steering pump union fitting to the power steering gear and allows pressurized power steering fluid to flow from the pump to the gear.
The power steering return hose returns fluid from the power steering gear back to the power steering fluid reservoir. The power steering return line may contain an integral fin-type or line-type power steering fluid cooler.
In a typical power steering system, a pump generates hydraulic pressure, causing fluid to flow, via the pressure hose, to the steering gear valve assembly. The steering gear valve assembly regulates the incoming fluid to the right and left chambers in order to assist in right and left turns.
Turning the steering wheel activates the valve assembly, which applies greater fluid pressure and flow to one side of the steering gear piston, and lower pressure and flow to the other side of the piston. The pressure assists the movement of the gear piston. Tie rods transfer this force to the front wheels, which turn the vehicle right or left.
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Manual Steering Column with JL4) or
Steering Wheel Position Sensor Replacement (Power Steering Column with JL4) ?
Preliminary Procedure Remove the intermediate steering shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .
1
Steering Angle Sensor Adapter
2
Steering Wheel Position Sensor
Procedure Disconnect any electrical connectors as needed.
Tip
If reusing, secure the old steering wheel position sensor before removing it for proper alignment upon reinstallation. Refer to Steering Wheel Position Sensor Centering .

Callout

Component Name
Notice: Secure the steering wheel utilizing a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:
?€¢
The steering column
?€¢
The intermediate shaft
?€¢
The steering gear

After disconnecting these components, do not move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow these procedures may cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in possible damage to the SIR coil.
Preliminary Procedure Remove the steering column. Refer to Steering Column Replacement .
1
Intermediate Steering Shaft Bolt
Procedure Remove the steering column boot seal in order to access the intermediate steering shaft bolt.
2
Intermediate Steering Shaft Nut
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
Tighten
47 N?·m (35 lb ft)
3
Intermediate Steering Shaft
Tip
?€¢
If necessary, scribe location marks between the intermediate steering shaft and the steering column and the intermediate steering shaft and the steering gear to mark their alignment before removing.
?€¢
If replacing the intermediate steering shaft, transfer any scribe marks from the old one to the new one.

Callout

Component Name
Notice: Secure the steering wheel utilizing a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:
?€¢
The steering column
?€¢
The intermediate shaft
?€¢
The steering gear

After disconnecting these components, do not move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow these procedures may cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in possible damage to the SIR coil.
Preliminary Procedures

1. Remove the left side instrument panel insulator panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side .
2. Remove the driver knee bolster. Refer to Driver Knee Bolster Replacement .
3. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

1
Steering Column Nut (Qty: 4)
Notice: Refer to Title not found in the Preface section.
Tighten
25 N?·m (18 lb ft)
2
Steering Column
Procedure

Disconnect any electrical connectors as needed.

If equipped with AN3, disconnect the automatic transmission range selector cable. Refer to Automatic Transmission Range Selector Cable Replacement - Column .

Transfer any parts as needed.

Some GM cars have a switch/lock in the steering column that moves a rod that goes down the column to the actual electrical switch at the bottom of the column on its top. This part is adjustable.

yes - the column will come out separate to the steering box but remember that the column has to come all the way up to get it of the steering shaft which is part of the box. That means if you do not have the room in the cab for the length of the column to come past the steering wheel then you will have to remove the box . Really it is quicker to pull the pitman arm of the box --undo the column brackets --remove the steering wheel ---undo the box off the chassis and pull the lot out past the springs.

Removal
1. Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle's wheels are pointing straight ahead.
2. Turn the ignition switch to "LOCK".
3. Disconnect the battery "- " terminal cable, and wait at least 5 minutes.
4. Disconnect the yellow 2-way SRS connector located under the steering column.

Caution: The wheels of the vehicle must be straight ahead and the steering column in the "LOCK" position before disconnecting the steering wheel. Failure to do so will cause the coil assembly to become uncentered which will cause damage to the coil assembly.

5. Remove the engine hood opening lever and steering lower cover.
6. Remove driver knee bolster (reinforcement).
7. Loosen the inflator module fixing bolt from behind the steering wheel assembly using a TORX 0 driver or equivalent until the inflator module can be released from steering assembly.

8. Disconnect the yellow 2-way SRS connector and horn lead located behind the inflator module.

9. Apply a setting mark (1) across the steering wheel and shaft so parts can be reassembled in their original position.
10. Move the front wheels to the straight ahead position, then use steering wheel remover J-29752 to remove the steering wheel.

Caution: Never apply force to the steering wheel in direction of the shaft by using a hammer or other impact tools in an attempt to remove the steering wheel. The steering shaft is designed as an energy absorbing unit.
11. Remove steering column cover.
12. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors located under the steering column.
13. Remove the combination switch assembly with SRS coil.
14. Remove snap ring.
15. Remove cushion rubber.
16. Remove shift lock cable (for A/T).
17. Disconnect the starter switch harness connector located under the steering column then remove lock cylinder assembly.

A common problem for these trucks is the upper bearing in the steering column comes apart, hold the steering wheel and try to move it up and down, if the wheel has play in it as if the tilt was being used then its the upper bearing in the steering column.

Your truck is built with electronic power steering assist, meaning there is an electric solenoid on the power steering pump and a steering wheel position sensor on the bottom of the steering column. Have it checked for codes first.

The position sensor causes weird problems.

The steering gear can also bypass fluid to the wrong side of the valve. When the yank happens is the steering wheel in about the same place?

Be careful when driving the truck until you get it fixed.

remove steering column covers and check connections at ignition switch..had a truck recently at dealership with similar problem and connector at back of ignition switch was melted..wires were for blower motor and battery feed to switch..had to replace switch and connector/pigtail