Steering binds up

[jlsweeney1]

On occasion, the steering in my 1998 GMC K-1500 binds up while turning the wheels in tight spaces. I almost need two hands to get the steering wheel to turn or let the truck roll a little. Then while pulling, the steering wheel will suddenly let loose. It doesn't happen all the time. It's been to the dealer 7 times now. They are scratching their heads. New gear, sensor and pump. Nothing has cured it. Help.
Thanks for any feed back.

John

[full foot notch]

all i can think if is something is hitting another when tightly turning, like maybe tie rod ends hitting something, and then your final pull drags it over the offending object

and have you checked your steering geometry from the steering shaft downward, because it sounds like the steering "u-joints" are at an odd angle and when they try to rotate, they bind somehow, so bascially any point where there is a turn or a pivot bearing, i would check there

id say get a buddy to turn the wheel until it stops and does what it says, and then try to see if anything is hitting or binding

[454ss_2]

I had that problem in my wifes 90, I changed the power steering pump and also the steering shaft, and the problem was gone...not sure which was the real problem but I was rebuilding the whole truck at the time anyway so I changed them both out.

[COBALT]

See if you have play in your steering box. Turn your steering shaft input and see how much you can turn it with the wheels on the ground and the engine off. It shouldn't be any more than 1/8 turn I believe. You might have WAY too much play.

Also, I've heard of problems like this when the tie rods and the drag link aren't set up right, or severely worn out. Jack up the front of the truck, and block one wheel with a chalk. Take the other wheel in your hands and wiggle it back and forth. Repeat on other side. If it doesn't stay stiff and NOT allow you to wiggle it then you've got some front-end work to do.

Another thing I could think about is the fit on the drag link/spindle-to-tie-rod. The holes in your spindle and drag link is angled to accomodate the tapered stud on your tie rods. Before you replace tie rods you have to make sure that the angle in the hole is the same as the tie rods, or you'll brake a stud under some extreme driving. You might have a worn out hole, and a stud that's banging around in a hole. I could see that binding up under the right conditions.

Once you check everything else, if you find a tie rod worn out they're cheap to replace and easy. Finding a used drag link may be a pain in the butt.

Good luck.

[jimfulco]

If your idle speed control is not stable, the motor may be slowing down, causing power steering to not work right.

[COBALT]

Yeah, now that I think about it I've had this problem when pressure provided by the power steering pump has widely fluctuated - hence a failing pump or slipping belt.