Steering slop/play. Normal?

UWSkier · May 27

Is it normal on these trucks to have so much slack in the steering when shut off? I know these things use ancient pitman/idler arm front ends instead of the excellent rack and pinion setups of their half ton brethren, but I don't remember having this much slop in my last pitman/idler setup. This truck is less than a year old and just rolled 10,000 miles, the vast majority of which is going in a straight line with a trailer attached.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wciq7T2CQMnxCAjU8

Video at link.

Edited May 27 by UWSkier

Another JR · May 28

7 hours ago, UWSkier said:

Is it normal on these trucks to have so much slack in the steering when shut off? I know these things use ancient pitman/idler arm front ends instead of the excellent rack and pinion setups of their half ton brethren, but I don't remember having this much slop in my last pitman/idler setup. This truck is less than a year old and just rolled 10,000 miles, the vast majority of which is going in a straight line with a trailer attached.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wciq7T2CQMnxCAjU8

Video at link.

Nice that you posted a video showing what you asked about!

I have a 2021 GMC 3500 SLT gas, which has the variable assist steering system and original size 18 inch wheels and tires. It has 11,000 miles, of which half or so has been with a 2000 lbs slide in camper, a small amount of towing about 6,000 lbs, and the rest empty or lightly loaded. I do not have any free play in the steering. I can move it some with light finger force, but it’s building force immediately (tires move), and there is no discernable actual free play.

UWSkier · May 28

11 hours ago, Another JR said:

Nice that you posted a video showing what you asked about!

I have a 2021 GMC 3500 SLT gas, which has the variable assist steering system and original size 18 inch wheels and tires. It has 11,000 miles, of which half or so has been with a 2000 lbs slide in camper, a small amount of towing about 6,000 lbs, and the rest empty or lightly loaded. I do not have any free play in the steering. I can move it some with light finger force, but it’s building force immediately (tires move), and there is no discernable actual free play.

Just to be clear, is this the case with the truck off? When the engine is running, I have resistance and not all that slop, just wondering where that slop all goes when I start the truck.

Another JR · May 28

6 hours ago, UWSkier said:

Just to be clear, is this the case with the truck off? When the engine is running, I have resistance and not all that slop, just wondering where that slop all goes when I start the truck.

Sorry, should have stated that. My description is the situation with the engine not running. The truck was last run about 6 hours prior to my verifying no free play last night.