I had a flat today and while putting on the drivers front tire, that one corner of the truck up in the air, I found the wheel to move right-left more than I thought it should. So that got me under the front end watching what was going on while I moved the drivers front tire. For starts the passenger side wouldn't move a bit but the drivers side would move right/left about 2" out at the tread of the 285's. I could see that the most movement was at the pitman arm and the arm that's on the passenger side of equal to that of the pitman I just don't know it's name. I found that the joints would twist in a way that would allow the entire tierod assembly from drivers end to passengers end would twist pulling the tires to a several toe in. It did not take any serious force to do it.

So with my warranty about up (68K on the truck and I have a 72K warranty) I wonder if I should be taking this down for repair? ($200 deductible mind you) or is this normal. I can't recall any of my other trucks ever doing this then again I never tested them for it.

Thoughts if you have any?

cmc

pitman and idler... two quickest pieces to fail it seems on these trucks. look up cognito brace for pitman/ idlers. it's designed to help support the tierod assembly so it doesn't wear out the ends as fast.....

here's a pic of the support. contact norcal nick, he can set you up....

http://www.norcaltruck.com/shop/cog-2-3/image009.jpg

68K I'd say you're looking at normal wear and tear. Parts have run there course and are needing replacement. Did you have someone else turn the steering wheel back and forth while you lay under the truck and check everything out? Take some pics or borrow some from somewheres on this site and circle the problem areas in your front end then post the modded pics up in this thread......maybe that will get you some more answers?

Joy 22 is right you may be able to get some free advice that way (pictures) I know that alot of vehicles German that I worked on had Idler and pitman "rebush" kits. they were much less expencive and they were just that as long as the rest of the part was in good condition you could press out the old bushing and press in the new. I do not know if US models do the same But you may also look at the cost of the new part and the time to install and it might be worth getting new parts and installing the Cognito kit. Just my two cents. MikeD.

Ah yes, pictures. Duh... well it was pitch dark when I changed the tire so I'd have to had to wait till today anyways. I'll try to get some pictures and even some video up of the problem area and get some input. That'd be some big help.

thanks all.
cmc

the pitman arm and idler arm package is more than 200 dollars if i remember correctly not including install i would suggest taking it in to get looked at you will save money in the long run.

Ok I just now got time to video the truck in between the rain storms.

Click here to see the front end in motion. (http://www.cmccotter.org/videos/steering.wmv)

So what I'm wondering here again is this worth taking to the dealer and paying out the deductible to get fixed or is this about normal for a truck?

thanks again,
cmc

Ok I just now got time to video the truck in between the rain storms.

Click here to see the front end in motion. (http://www.cmccotter.org/videos/steering.wmv)

So what I'm wondering here again is this worth taking to the dealer and paying out the deductible to get fixed or is this about normal for a truck?

thanks again,
cmc ouch, you really need to replace those arms. I did mine at about 68,000 and it wasn't that bad. It's not that hard to do but there are some tricks. Let me know if you have any ?'s. Yes this is pretty much normal for a terribly engineered steering setup.

Did you have it done under warranty at the dealer?

cmc

Holy Cow!! I can't believe the play. I've replaced tie rods and such on my old '96 with less play than that. Do yourself a favor and get that front end fixed before you screw your tires up.

Speaking of tires. Altough I just put a new set on there due to a few flats they have worn well and didn't show anything.

But yes... it scares me now that I watch the video a few times.

cmc

inner, outer tie rods most likely need replacing. my truck does the exact same thing. pitman and idler are shot to hell and gone and lets the whole steering assembly move up and down, instead of holding it in place and only allowing side to side movement. the cognito braces will support the new pitman and idles so that they last MUCH longer before having that happen again.

your's look as bad if not worse than mine. lots of slop in steering wheel and lots of play in the front end. get fixed asap, like others said, before it ruin other parts.

Sweet Jesus!! With that much play I dont see how you can keep it on the road. Must be pretty exciting to drive along expansion joints on the highway!

I dropped the truck of the other day with my dealer to get the front end looked over. Talked with the guys and they said the front ends are an issue and from what I told them about what I was seeing in movement and feel while driving they bet it needed replacement. Well I got a call from the dealer today that the front end is fixed up and yes... they found that it was worn out. Very warn out was I believe how they put it.

Now just waiting for that new radio to show up and get installed and I'll be down to pick it up.

So I guess I better look into the supports so I'm not into a new setup again in another 70K miles.

cmc

Good for you. Glad you got er all fixed up. It's gonna feel nice and tight again.

cognito braces will save your front end...... good investment on any newer chevy truck IMO....

Now that you got those parts replaced for free (-deductible) GET THE COGNITO BRACE while it is still new.

holly crap that thing was wasted

Id Check The Pitman/ Idler Arm As Well As Ball Joints Possibley, Is Your Wheel Turned Eihter Way While Trying To Drive To Keep It Straight?

I put in all the Cognito upgrades. I love my new steering. It has a BMW / Merz feel to it when turning. http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page144.html

your lucky your's lasted so long. had my pitman/idler arms replaced under warrant at only 25k miles. they were starting to go bad again after just 5k, so I upgraded with cognito parts. huuuuuuge difference and well worth the coin IMO

OMG what a difference in driving the truck.

The list of work included pitman arm warn out and replaces, idler arm warn out and replaced, steering box out of speck and adjusted, tie rods warn and replaced. The truck is like it drove off the factory floor if not better.

Oh I also got a new radio as the first one wouldn't play a CD anymore or wouldn't play a CD from start to finish before it'd lock up or skip like a mo-fo.

As soon as my garage is done being built the cognito kit is going on. Next to a list of other items... but worth the investment.

cmc

Did you see what the warranty tab was? I have similar problems and my truck is out of warranty.

How hard is it to install the cognito brace kit? For the average joe...

Did you see what the warranty tab was? I have similar problems and my truck is out of warranty.

It's all zero'd out so no I don't know what that would have costs if I had to pay the tab.

cmc

I put the cognito steering braces on my truck in about 1 hour, taking my time.

I put them on as preventative maintenance with around 65-70k miles. I am at 80 now, still no problems.

I may have a worn ball-joint though.

Note: I've been running h2 tires for 40-50k.