2000silveradoz7
03-27-2009, 02:08 AM
So here lately I have noticed my wheel shimmies from side to side. Also it seems like it has become hard to stay straight on the highways. I asked big o to take a look at it when putting my summer wheels back on but i dont htink they really did. Either I am always drunk or I cant drive anymore.lol. It just seems like it is always wondering now adays and i have to keep correcting it. It makes me extremely nervous on small roads pulling my trailers. Everything is stock except the keys being cranked about a inch. And yes it was aligned after i adjusted them. Thanks.
B123ZMANAB
03-27-2009, 02:14 AM
I bet it is a wheel bearing that is going out. Mine did the same thing when I had a bad wheel bearing. Once I installed two new ones the truck drove straight as an arrow again. I could be wrong though...
66flh
03-27-2009, 02:16 AM
That or the Pitman and/or Idler arms are worn.They only last 50-80,000mi. on average.
2000silveradoz7
03-27-2009, 11:09 AM
Well cant you check the bearings by moving the tire in and out? How do you check the pitman or the idler arm? What do these parts cost offline and can you install them yourself and then have it aligned? Thanks.
diesel geezer
03-27-2009, 04:40 PM
Jack up one wheel at a time unless you have a lift available. Rotate each tire as you watch the tread going around. Look for a wave or lump in the tread. The twitching in the steering wheel sounds like a slight tread separation in one tire. It can cause tracking problems too.
2000silveradoz7
03-27-2009, 04:56 PM
Well I have some winter wheels(285/70/17 bfg's) and then my 285/60/18 terra grapplers for the summer. Both do it the same amount so i am positive its not the tires. I will have to jack it up tommarrow and check the idler/pitman. Because i think it may be my problem. Seems to be common on these trucks, or at least the three i have had but none got as bad as this one.
olboy82
03-27-2009, 08:47 PM
Jack up the front of the truck and grap the tire at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and move it back and forth, and if it moves the wheel bearing is bad. I had that problem on my old 02 half ton. Grab it at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and if it moves it's probably pitman/idler or tie rod ends