2016 Silverado 2500HD Steering woes

revrnd · March 3, 2017

Here is a pic of the DSA box. Are all of the effected trucks have DSA?6a00d83451b3c669e201b7c7df88c7970b-800wi.jpg

As far as what I've read here. I haven't heard of any non-DSA trucks having steering issues.

Retired4ever · March 3, 2017

4X4Pete ... good pick , thanks for the effort!

sdeeter19555 · March 4, 2017

According to Red Head, there are 3 big things causing issues with the gear. One is the thrust bearing comes loose, two: improperly sized ball bearings, and 3: poor machining tolerances. No mention of heat treatment on the pitman arm shaft causing pre-mature wear. I can definitely see that causing an issue. Might be worth asking if they are seeing these shafts come in with wear on the teeth of these shafts.

I've used redhead boxes before, the 2500 Dodge boxes were factory junk. Redhead makes a good product.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

GS340 · March 5, 2017

As far as what I've read here. I haven't heard of any non-DSA trucks having steering issues.

I have a base truck with steering issues

The DSA is not the issue. The TSB covers both versions.

Edited March 5, 2017 by GS340

GS340 · March 5, 2017

my truck still is not 100% after the second steering box and hydroboost replacement. The steering wheel twitches from a pulse caused by the spool value in the new steering box. As explained to me by the field engineer. This twitch is very annoying to say the least. After owning 18 GM products to include 5 new in the past 4 years this will be my last GM product ever. My truck has other issues besides the steering.

I've met with GM regional management and their field engineer and they say the steering issue is normal and I was even told, "I can understand it's a source of annoyance but its normal". My wife who is completely numb to any car related problems notices it. I'm thinking about parking it on my busy street with a big lemon sign. Don't buy GM.

I ask for trade assistance with getting something else and was told no, told no to a buy back as well. This truck has been the biggest disappointment ever in the 30 plus cars and trucks I've owned... I would rather have my old dodge K car back then his hunk of garbage. It would be one thing if they would just fix it. Put a 3rd box in it but no.... the lack of empathy and common decency is beyond belief. I'm not asking for a million bucks, I'm asking to have a truck that I doesn't require 15 dealer visits and 2 months in the shop after 10 months of ownership. I asked them to extend the warranty and they said no, everything is no...

If anyone at GM see this message. You all really messed up big time.

Edited March 6, 2017 by GS340

GS340 · March 5, 2017

I've used redhead boxes before, the 2500 Dodge boxes were factory junk. Redhead makes a good product.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

I sent redhead a message about a solution for 2016 boxes. I'll post if I get a reply

GS340 · March 5, 2017

I also filed a complaint with NHTSA and was contacted by one of their safety engineers. I sent him photos of the invoices from the repairs. I doubt I'll hear anything from GM.

Edited March 5, 2017 by GS340

Needatruck · March 7, 2017

my truck still is not 100% after the second steering box and hydroboost replacement. The steering wheel twitches from a pulse caused by the spool value in the new steering box. As explained to me by the field engineer. This twitch is very annoying to say the least. After owning 18 GM products to include 5 new in the past 4 years this will be my last GM product ever. My truck has other issues besides the steering.

I've met with GM regional management and their field engineer and they say the steering issue is normal and I was even told, "I can understand it's a source of annoyance but its normal". My wife who is completely numb to any car related problems notices it. I'm thinking about parking it on my busy street with a big lemon sign. Don't buy GM.

I ask for trade assistance with getting something else and was told no, told no to a buy back as well. This truck has been the biggest disappointment ever in the 30 plus cars and trucks I've owned... I would rather have my old dodge K car back then his hunk of garbage. It would be one thing if they would just fix it. Put a 3rd box in it but no.... the lack of empathy and common decency is beyond belief. I'm not asking for a million bucks, I'm asking to have a truck that I doesn't require 15 dealer visits and 2 months in the shop after 10 months of ownership. I asked them to extend the warranty and they said no, everything is no...

If anyone at GM see this message. You all really messed up big time.

.

This is really terrible.

GS340 · March 7, 2017

I spoke to redhead today and they apparently have been getting a lot of calls and/or emails about the new boxes. They feel the new hydroboost is to blame for my current problems and another company shares their thoughts. the new GM gears are not built to very tight tolerances and redhead has identified a few issues and is confused by others. I sent them the link to this thread. Maybe they will post

I need to retain a lawyer since GM is refusing to help any further.

Edited March 7, 2017 by GS340

2016 2500hd Sierra Denali · March 10, 2017

Picked it up yesterday, marginally better?

Mechanic said, yeah, "they all do that", I said the 17's don't, he said yeah, they fixed it for 17, but the 17 has shift problems from 4th to 5th and some engine noise issues...

He told me he adjusted the steering gear pitman shaft lash adjuster screw...like I said marginally better. I like the truck, but don't like the way it steers.

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=5876

I think I might just sell it and move on...wasted enough time on this thing.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread!

UPDATE...So, after getting the runaround from two dealers and not being able to sell/trade the vehicle without taking a HUGE hit, I looked at purchasing a new oem steering box, but was concerned that I would be facing the same issue in 10K miles.

So, I contacted RedHead Steering gear in Washington, they have isolated the problem with the GM oem steering box and modified their overhauled units. I have the steering gear in hand and it will be installed next week sometime and I'll update you then...Sure hope this fixes it! RedHead has been in business for 40 years, so, they must be doing something right...Daniel was the guy I spoke with and he was very helpful.

I'm convinced GM knows about the problem and what the fix is, but refuses to step up to the plate and repair/replace the unit. Evidently, GM has some bean counter that says it's cheaper for them to stiff their customers $65K truck and risk being sued then admit to the problem and issue a new TSB that fixes the issue.

More to come...

revrnd · March 10, 2017

UPDATE...So, after getting the runaround from two dealers and not being able to sell/trade the vehicle without taking a HUGE hit, I looked at purchasing a new oem steering box, but was concerned that I would be facing the same issue in 10K miles.

So, I contacted RedHead Steering gear in Washington, they have isolated the problem with the GM oem steering box and modified their overhauled units. I have the steering gear in hand and it will be installed next week sometime and I'll update you then...Sure hope this fixes it! RedHead has been in business for 40 years, so, they must be doing something right...Daniel was the guy I spoke with and he was very helpful.

I'm convinced GM knows about the problem and what the fix is, but refuses to step up to the plate and repair/replace the unit. Evidently, GM has some bean counter that says it's cheaper for them to stiff their customers $65K truck and risk being sued then admit to the problem and issue a new TSB that fixes the issue.

More to come...

You sound like my father, who spent 34 years fighting w/ the 'in plant' bean counters when working on projects. Kind of 'coloured' my views on things when I was working too.

2016 2500hd Sierra Denali · March 16, 2017

Installed Red Head steering gear yesterday, only driven about 30 miles but the play in the steering wheel is gone! It now drives as a vehicle should.

Previously I could rotate the steering wheel 1-2" before any correction to direction of travel was evident...which isn't a big deal when going around constant radius corners but when driving straight (or trying to) on the highway was a real PITA!

My suggestion to others who have experienced this issue is contact Red Head (and no I don't work for them) I spoke with Daniel, who was very helpful, I think the exchange unit was $650, but after shipping and core charges it was more like $1K, but I'll get a refund of $300 once the core is returned.

Regardless, the $700 or so to have the truck driving as it should is a drop in the bucket depreciation wise, compared to the cost of selling/trading the truck.

So, I'm happy with the way the truck drives now/today...hopefully it will hold up...time will tell.

EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH GM and their lack of response to what I believe is a known issue.

Later Taters!

Ransom Proctor · March 16, 2017

Installed Red Head steering gear yesterday, only driven about 30 miles but the play in the steering wheel is gone! It now drives as a vehicle should.

Previously I could rotate the steering wheel 1-2" before any correction to direction of travel was evident...which isn't a big deal when going around constant radius corners but when driving straight (or trying to) on the highway was a real PITA!

My suggestion to others who have experienced this issue is contact Red Head (and no I don't work for them) I spoke with Daniel, who was very helpful, I think the exchange unit was $650, but after shipping and core charges it was more like $1K, but I'll get a refund of $300 once the core is returned.

Regardless, the $700 or so to have the truck driving as it should is a drop in the bucket depreciation wise, compared to the cost of selling/trading the truck.

So, I'm happy with the way the truck drives now/today...hopefully it will hold up...time will tell.

EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH GM and their lack of response to what I believe is a known issue.

Later Taters!

Glad it seems to be working for you. Please report back over time. My truck has twitchy steering but no play in the steering as of yet. Its good to hear about a replacement.

20SierraL8T24 · March 19, 2017

http://www.duramaxforum.com/#/topics/869353?page=1

Long topic on Duramax forum

Agriont · March 19, 2017

Finally got rid of the POS. I did have a chance to speak to a guy that has a 2015 2500 D Z71. He is running a heavy V blade on his and at 14K has no issues. Not sure if the 15s have the same steering. Regardless, I'm not looking back.. good luck to all and keep fighting or get rid of yours.