1998 GMC Yukon Steering too much play. Mechanic says ball joints, idler & pitman arm, steer box. Prioritize??

Question

I am trying to determine if I need all of this $1200 in repair work. Does anyone know if one or two of the parts will cure a big percentage of the problem? Thanks for any help you can give.

Answer 1

Get a second or third opinion to verify what needs to be fixed and at what cost. Sounds like it must have a bunch of miles on it.

Answer 2

If you Replace the Ball-Joints they won't last that long!

Replace the Idler & Pitman Arms and the extra pressure from the wobbeling front Will Distroy the Steering Box just that much faster!

Replace the Steering box only and the Problem will still be there you'll just feel it more through the Steering Wheel.

Yeah............All at the Same Time!

Sorry............Good Luck!

Answer 3

Does he want to replace the steering box or just tighten it up? Haven't worked on a '98 Yukon, but my '94 GMC Suburban had a nut and bolt on the steering box that I was able to tighten up. Idler and pitman arm can produce a loose steering, as so with the tie rod ends. As far as the ball joints go I have not experienced loose steering with those being bad. Not to say that it's not a plausible idea, I just don't know on that one.

Answer 4

Typically, on a Yukon/Tahoe chassis, loose steering is precipitated by a worn idler arm, then maybe accentuated by a worn pitman arm (located at the steering gearbox). A loose gearbox is rare unless the truck has seen rough service.

If you stand outside your truck, on the driver's side, reach in while the truck is running and wiggle the steering, any more than 10 degrees movement would be indicative of play in the gearbox.

Gearboxes on later model trucks have better build quality, so unless there is a lot of mileage involved, it is highly unlikely a culprit.

Worn balljoints would cause tire wear... severe wear on the inside.

Izzie's list is probably the most accurate in terms of order of failure.

Take your truck to a tire/front end shop like Goodyear, Firestone, or NTB. Have them show you each component they fail and why it did. Worn parts are very apparent.

Good luck.

Answer 5

1998 Gmc Yukon

Answer 6

The problem is that they are all related to each other
the new parts will get worn prematurely.
The best way is to fix all related parts of the system at the same time. This way your new parts won't get worn out by added stress and vibration of the weaker ones.
That being said,
I'd start with which ever part is the loosest
and work from there.
What ever you do to one side you should do to the other side as well.
I would save the steering box for last .

Answer 7

The pitman and idler arms will probably take care of 80% of the play and adjusting the steering gear will take care of the rest of it>

Answer 8

Bring your own parts and then get a quote.
E-bay has some great deals on parts
uppers and lowers under a hundred, pitman and idler
under a hundred, steering box might still be good
find another tech get a sec. opinion.
really that job should be under a grand a little high...

Answer 9

Ball are least likely,but most dangerous if one fails.
The Steering box is highly unlikely.
The idler and pitman arm are likely.
However you should realize that most mechanics do not have your best interests in mind and this one seems to be one of them.
A honest and competent mechanic will narrow it down to the one problematic device.
You should get at least three free estimates from private and national chains,one will tell you the truth.
You also have the right to observe them and to have the worn part returned to you.
$1200 is excessive for doing any one of these jobs.

Good luck

Answer 10

Most of the play comes from the control arms. GMC's are good for that problem.