7.3
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $590
- Average Mileage:
- 111,700 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 14 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (11 reports)
- replace the steering assist sensor (2 reports)
- replace power steering fluid (1 reports)
I love my truck but I feel the steering is a very significant problem which could result in an injury or death. While driving at highway speed truck will lurch to left or right, no way to tell when it will happen some times months go by with no problems then some days it will happen 3 or 4 times. Check front end all seem to be good. Not sure where to go from here but on the hunt for a fix.
- pwilson, Phoenix, AZ, US
My husbands truck would lurch to the right or left going around curves....for several years. It got worse and worse and we finally found out that all it was...was a sensor....not a big deal.... but very scary when driving.
- cindyfox09, Knoxville, TN, US
My dad is a mechanic and we took a look at this problem the other day. He jacked up the front end with the wheels off the ground and put a crowbar under each side and pulled up and down to see if the wheel moved up and down. Both sides moved up and down a couple cm.
When your driving down the highway and you have the wheel turned ever so slightly to the right, out of no where the truck jumps to the right. Once you get use to it its not that bad but if its your first time it feels like you could side swipe the car next to you. For the do it your-selfer, Orielys has the lowest price and the ball joint press (they will loan it to you for free) for about $100.
Update from May 20, 2009: Got the upper and lower ball joints in yesterday and it seems to have taken care of the problem. It was not easy but we got it done. The truck fought us the whole time and it took about 9 or 10 hours total. Once we did the one side and knew what to do and not to do the other side went really fast. We also had a problem with the press we rented so that ate up some time.
Update from Jul 6, 2010: Since my last update the jerking doesnt happen as frequent however it does happen from time to time. Next thing to replace is the pitman arm. Hopefully this will completely fix the problem...
Update from Jul 11, 2010: After replacing the upper and lower ball joints the swerving only happends about 20% of the time now instead of all the time... next thing to replace is the pitman arm.
Update from Sep 23, 2010: Put new pitman arm on.... once again, it helped but not 100% fixed. I am going to take it to a friend of mine who owns a body shop and see if one of his techs can figure it out... Maybe an alignment is in order...? Im out of ideas after that.
Update from Sep 23, 2010: Just posted an update 1 minute ago and then did some more searching online. Seems that this problem is more than likely caused by a steering sensor in the steering column. Here are some links:
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl806d.htm
http://www99.epinions.com/review/auto_Make-1997_Chevrolet_Cargo_Van/content_112322252420
http://www.truckforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8827
- 40calpunisher, Indianapolis, IN, US
been a good truck been better if steering was right. Never know when it will take off to the side by it's self.
- Everett M., Stafford, VA, US
There have been several occasions that I nearly lost control of the truck and I heard that at least one person has been killed as a result of this problem. The main complaint is that this problem was never recalled and it poses a very serious risk. I see that there is a problem with the steering assist, but I assumed it was because the frame is welded so badly that the vehicle cannot be aligned. (i didn't discover this until after the warranty period ended)
- shanimal, Oakley, CA, US
my steering suddenly lurches to the side when driving
- Chris L., Charlotte, NC, US
This problem is really dangerous to all who own one that is doing this and the other drivers on the road but all of you that read this complaint ill let yall in on a something i figured out on my truck iits not a fix but it stops the problem crawl under your truck look on the bottom of the power steering pump there is a plug that on some kind of sensor or solenoid i unplugged it and haven't had a problem sense good luck to those who read this it could help
- Brandon E., Calhoun, GA, US
This is crazy! Hasn't anyone ever fixed this? This lurch is dangerous!
- kervdawg, Chino Valley, AZ, US
Truck JERKS to the right on corners! Pretty spooky when towing my boat on mountain roads. I feel this should be the manufacturers responsibility and send out a recall notice before someone gets injured!
- bolander, Apache Junction, AZ, US
the steering problem is really dangerous i was on a back road and wheel lurched i all most side swiped a semi . im wondering how many accidents with these trucks were caused by faulty steering. they need to issue a recall.
- rosswlf, Tamaqua, PA, US
This problem only happens on the highway at about 120 k/m (75 m/h). Around corners is the worst. It pulls so hard sometimes I think I'm going to loose it. I found out it could be a sensor in the steering column but they never got it fixed so don't know for sure. It started in the beginning of winter and is getting worse. Its a real annoying thing to have happen. Sometimes I forget and it scares the hell out of me.
- Nina C., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
The steering lurches to the side when going in to a cruve and there is a bad shake when braking going down hill. Just took the trucki to a shop where they replaced the steering gear box, the pitman arm and both tie rod ends charged me 600.00 and the problem still remains.
- Steve W., Gresham, ORE, US
While driving the pickup around a curve, the steering will suddenly lurch in the direction of the turn. Does not happen all the time, but often enough. Could be dangerous.
- Brent B., Amarillo, TX, US
Needs to be addressed, somebody could get hurt. Can't believe there is not a recall. People should complain to the point of not buy GM products . Safety should be number one priority. Replacing power steering fluid helps, also Lucas makes a rack and pinion that helps with hard spots. Going to try unplugging Spenser on back of power steering pump was going to replace pump next.
- Paul J., Hartsville, SC, US