Heavy steering, man - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HOB · 03-02-2019, 08:33 AM

My '88 has always had a heavy feel to the steering wheel. I'd like to know if it's the pump or the steering sector making it hard to steer and if anyone else has experienced this.

**hatzie** · 03-02-2019, 12:43 PM

Have you checked the basics?

Your truck is 31 or 32 years old. Have you changed the power steering fluid? If you have hydroboost it'll get really nasty but 30+ years of use will make it pretty nasty too. I just flushed out my 2005 and it was really really nasty. It's only 15 years old and just under 87,000 miles.

Are your front tires aired up to proper pressures?

Have you monkeyed with the steering box adjustments? If not... I doubt it's binding up.

Have you greased all four ball joints , all four tie rod ends, the idler arm on the RH frame rail, and the pitman arm joint?

HOB · 03-07-2019, 08:09 AM

Thanks for the reply and sorry for the absence of info. It's an '88 Silverado, two wheel drive; 250,000 miles, but pampered. Always lubed at 3-5,000 miles; new front 235-55-17 front tires; recently aligned, no worn linkages, etc. But, as I said, it has always had a heavy feel to the steering, but, it seems, on paved backroads at less than 60 mph, that the feel is worse now. It's not free feeling, and you have to really concentrate on every input or you won't be on the line you want, does that make sense? On good Interstate pavement, it steers pretty well. But, around town, it's heavy. And, I've changed the fluid 5 years ago. It's not HARD to steer,like it's binding up, just like a motorcycle with stiction in the forks. I have adjusted the sector a little but no diff. It tool a little play out of the steering but not the heavy feel.

Thanks, again,

HOB

03-02-2019, 08:33 AM	#1
HOB Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Knoxville Posts: 7	Heavy steering, man My '88 has always had a heavy feel to the steering wheel. I'd like to know if it's the pump or the steering sector making it hard to steer and if anyone else has experienced this.

03-02-2019, 12:43 PM	#2
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,912	Re: Heavy steering, man Have you checked the basics? Your truck is 31 or 32 years old. Have you changed the power steering fluid? If you have hydroboost it'll get really nasty but 30+ years of use will make it pretty nasty too. I just flushed out my 2005 and it was really really nasty. It's only 15 years old and just under 87,000 miles. Are your front tires aired up to proper pressures? Have you monkeyed with the steering box adjustments? If not... I doubt it's binding up. Have you greased all four ball joints , all four tie rod ends, the idler arm on the RH frame rail, and the pitman arm joint? __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful. Last edited by hatzie; 03-02-2019 at 12:53 PM.

03-07-2019, 08:09 AM	#3
HOB Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Knoxville Posts: 7	Re: Heavy steering, man Thanks for the reply and sorry for the absence of info. It's an '88 Silverado, two wheel drive; 250,000 miles, but pampered. Always lubed at 3-5,000 miles; new front 235-55-17 front tires; recently aligned, no worn linkages, etc. But, as I said, it has always had a heavy feel to the steering, but, it seems, on paved backroads at less than 60 mph, that the feel is worse now. It's not free feeling, and you have to really concentrate on every input or you won't be on the line you want, does that make sense? On good Interstate pavement, it steers pretty well. But, around town, it's heavy. And, I've changed the fluid 5 years ago. It's not HARD to steer,like it's binding up, just like a motorcycle with stiction in the forks. I have adjusted the sector a little but no diff. It tool a little play out of the steering but not the heavy feel. Thanks, again, HOB



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.