Front End Shaking on Bumps only freeway speeds give me nothing.?

Question

I have a 93 Chevy Suburban 4x4 Extened Cab k1500. It started out with a clicking noise from the front drivers side. So I jacked it up on that side to see what the problem was. I pulled on the wheel and it gave me a lot of play. I took it to Midas and they said it was my Power Steering gearbox that was making that noise. (Part was $1100 from them I got it from Autozone for $180 and replaced myself) But I still heard that clicking noise. So I took it to a little mom and pop brake place down the street. Come to find out that my front shocks were gone. Replaced shocks and clicking noise went away. But I still have play in the wheel when I jack them up!

But a new problem came up?


After replacing the gearbox every so often when I hit a pothole to hard the front end would shake and the vibration could be felt in the steering wheel.

Anyone know what the problem could be? This only happens when I hit a bump or pothole to hard.

Should I have replaced t

When I did jack it up and pull on the wheels. I did notice some play and when I look to see where it was coming from. It look as if the center link and pink arm connection was the problem. When I pulled on them they moved; as if the pitarm was not tight cause it moved. The pitman arm is connected to the gearbox. When pulling on the wheel it moves slightly and this cause the center link to move.

I though maybe cause I couldn't find new bushing for the connection between the pitman arm and the center link. No one sells them just the bushings. Without have to buy a new center link. (Even if the center link comes with new bushings?)

SO I guess I just replaced a gearbox for no reason when it could have been something totaly different. (Only took 4 hours to replace? :) ) I'm new at car repair and I'm learning as I go.

The system only seems loose on the front drivers side or the pitman arm. The right side or idler arm side seems tight and not moving. I think I do need new tierods or an alignment. Cause when you point one wheel straight the other wheel kinda points out ward a little (not perfectly straight like other one). Not really worried about tire wear as these are brand new tires.

Answer 1

the shaking is related to the play in your wheel, have your wheel bearings checked. if your front end is equipped with a steering stablizer, it may be bad also do to the shaking..

Answer 2

Adjustment of the steering box is correct as the other gentleman stated but the new steering boxs's are adjusted before they are sent to the parts house to be sold.

With what you are describing is probably in your upper and lower ball joints and maybe the inner, outer tierod ends including the center link. Check the ball joints and the idler arm which is on the passenger side of the front end. Having the idler arm pivot point will make you feel like the whole front end needs to be rebuilt. Try the cheap/easy fixes first. After you eliminate those move to the other items.

Answer 3

I would eleminate the componets in the front end. Do you know how to do this? Jack it up. move wheel up and down back and forth. Look and feel for slop in the wheel bearing.While jacked up and blocked safely, move wheels left to right and back , looking and feeling for slack in the components. You can apply pressure with a screwdriver at the conections of compoenents and find slop as well. When the new steering box was installed,was it adjusted? With front end blocked safely, Loosen the jamb nut ( Back it way out , but not off the allen screw) on top of the gear box and then turn in the allen head screw untill it stopps turning. Back out 1/8 th turn and tighten down lock nut. Have a fun day.

Answer 4

It sounds like worn steering linkage to me.

Check the inner and outer tie rod ends for play, also check the pittman arm and idler arm, especially where they mount to the tie rod. While you have it jacked up, take a look at the upper & lower control arm bushings and ball joints.