Front Wheel Moves from Side to Side

[GMC_4_Dad]

Hi all,
I am new to the forum but I am hoping to get some help on here so I can help my dad with his truck. He has a 2001 GMC 1500 Sierra. When I jacked and supported it on jackstands, I noticed if you put your hands directly on the wheel / tire (right hand in front and laft hand in back, the weel has some play in it - it does NOT have any play from top to bottom - only side to side - it's almost like the lug nuts are loose but they are not. The truck drives fine oddly enough - Do you guys think it's a ball joint or tie rod problem? Is there a thread that discusses how to fix it? Thanks for any help!

 

[Molson02536]

Hi all,
I am new to the forum but I am hoping to get some help on here so I can help my dad with his truck. He has a 2001 GMC 1500 Sierra. When I jacked and supported it on jackstands, I noticed if you put your hands directly on the wheel / tire (right hand in front and laft hand in back, the weel has some play in it - it does NOT have any play from top to bottom - only side to side - it's almost like the lug nuts are loose but they are not. The truck drives fine oddly enough - Do you guys think it's a ball joint or tie rod problem? Is there a thread that discusses how to fix it? Thanks for any help!

It sounds like your idler arm need to be replaced, common for the right wheel to have play like you described if the idler arm is bad. Note that the idler arm will have play also to compensate for any bump steer, so if there is no noticeable steering issues. Then the idler arm is still good, try greasing the idler arm and if there is an improvement. Replace the idler arm.

 

[GMC_4_Dad]

Thanks - I'll take a look at it and see what's going on.

 

[GMC_4_Dad]

I finally found out what was going on and was able to fix it. It was the inner tie rod that was loose on the Rack and Pinion on the passenger side. I got a Rack and Pinion (along with new outer tie rods) from Napa and replaced it. It was actually pretty easy!

Tip: This on-line repair video below will help anyone who needs to replace the rack and pinion on a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500.

http://www.teach-me-auto.com/RackAndPinion2001GMCSierra1500.html

 

[GMC_4_Dad]

I wanted to come back and update this thread. The problem turned out to be with the Rack and Pinion. Specifically, the inner tie rod was loose where it connects into the rack and pinion underneath the boot. I decided to actually go ahead replace the outer tie rods and the entire rack and pinion since the truck had 150K miles on it.. I might could have just replaced the inner tie rod but the Rack and Pinion was leaking PS Fluid. The Rack and Pinion was around $220 at NAPA.

Anyways, there is a video that might help with replacing the rack and pinion in a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 if you need to do that.

http://www.teach-me-auto.com/RackAndPinion2001GMCSierra1500.html

 

[GMC_4_Dad]

It sounds like your idler arm need to be replaced, common for the right wheel to have play like you described if the idler arm is bad. Note that the idler arm will have play also to compensate for any bump steer, so if there is no noticeable steering issues. Then the idler arm is still good, try greasing the idler arm and if there is an improvement. Replace the idler arm.

I wanted to come back and update this thread. The problem turned out to be with the Rack and Pinion. Specifically, the inner tie rod was loose where it connects into the rack and pinion underneath the boot. I decided to actually go ahead replace the outer tie rods and the entire rack and pinion since the truck had 150K miles on it.. I might could have just replaced the inner tie rod but the Rack and Pinion was leaking PS Fluid. The Rack and Pinion was around $220 at NAPA.

Anyways, there is a video that might help with replacing the rack and pinion in a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 if you need to do that.

http://www.teach-me-auto.com/RackAndPinion2001GMCSierra1500.html

 

[GMC_4_Dad]

I wanted to come back and update this thread. The problem turned out to be with the Rack and Pinion. The inner tie rod was loose where it connects into the rack and pinion. I decided to actually go ahead replace the outer tie rods and the rack and pinion since the truck had 150K miles on it.. I might could have just replaced the inner tie rod.

Anyways, there is a video that will help you replace the rack and pinion if you need to do that.

http://www.teach-me-auto.com/RackAndPinion2001GMCSierra1500.html