Steering problem (wheel jerks back and forth)
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: texas
I know you said the tires are good but sounds like broken belt. I would jack up frt of truck and spin the tires. the belt could be broken where you can't see it until you spin it. A broken steel belt tire makes the stering wheel go back and forth and will smooth out as speed goes up. You can also raise the whole truck up and put in 4wh and look all the tires move.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I know you said the tires are good but sounds like broken belt. I would jack up frt of truck and spin the tires. the belt could be broken where you can't see it until you spin it. A broken steel belt tire makes the stering wheel go back and forth and will smooth out as speed goes up. You can also raise the whole truck up and put in 4wh and look all the tires move.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 16
From: Colorado
The reason I mentioned steering stabilizer is because my brother had a pretty similar problem. I was following him one day and started to wonder if he was falling asleep because he was all over the road and even went off the right side a bit once.
Replaced the stabilizer and the truck went back to the normal "wander".
Hope you figure out what is going on with that thing.
Replaced the stabilizer and the truck went back to the normal "wander".
Hope you figure out what is going on with that thing.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
There isn't and never was any play in the wheel at any time.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
The reason I mentioned steering stabilizer is because my brother had a pretty similar problem. I was following him one day and started to wonder if he was falling asleep because he was all over the road and even went off the right side a bit once.
Replaced the stabilizer and the truck went back to the normal "wander".
Hope you figure out what is going on with that thing.
Replaced the stabilizer and the truck went back to the normal "wander".
Hope you figure out what is going on with that thing.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
It might be. I read somewhere there is a little valve in there that can go out.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
It's not the tires because it doesn't do it all the time and there is a resistance with a hydraulic whine on a sharp left or right turn before it does it...........thanks
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
No it's fine. I will try replacing it though. I heard it is just trans fluid. Another clue; Sometimes I can jerk the wheel back and forth and it will go away.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Thanks Cardiac, I will take a look at that tomorrow.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
I was thinking steering box when i was resding this. If you haven't tightened the box up then it's probably not a gear mesh issue but may be related to the power steering setup as someone has already stated. Just for giggles, try backing the steering box setscrew off a 1/4 turn to see if that makes a difference or not. You say you have no play in the steering wheel which seems odd for these trucks.
Btw, are you the original owner or have you just recently purchased the truck?
Btw, are you the original owner or have you just recently purchased the truck?