what is your suspension right now? mine does that and im lifted 2 1/2ish in the front

 

Completely stock suspension from what i know of. I bought the truck from a GMC dealer as a trade in. Its got quite a rake going to it though, it leans hard to the front. I wondering if this could be the shocks?

 

That could be shocks, maybe?

I've noticed the front end does get lighter with a higher crank, and when I had smaller tires the steering was very light. Not sure if that's what you mean. What about tire pressure, are they rock hard and bouncing over the bumps?

I haven't experienced what you're talking abut for over-steering tough. Maybe its just the steering ratio being way different than in your Toyota.


What have you done to the truck as for lifting or anything? That may all affect the steering geometry too.

 

I haven't experienced what you're talking abut for over-steering tough. Maybe its just the steering ratio being way different than in your Toyota.

Gotta echo this, my parents old Tacoma and their newer RAV4's steering/steering wheels are MUCH tighter with less travel when turning. Toyota definitely use different steering ratios compared to GM.

I just noticed Shawn5800, you have wider than stock tires, this is unfortunately a factor. Since you're grabbing more surface area than stock tires, it will affect your tire/truck's response to jarring when hitting a pothole and when turning, as you're having to turn harder due to more resistance of the wider tire.

Personally when I hit bumps on the road, I have a pretty good grip on the wheel with both hands to make sure I keep in control of the vehicle under serious vibration on rough road.(i.e. potholes, which are unfortunately pretty common here in LA) Most likely due to me running a narrower, stock tire size, this is not a big an issue and not near as bad as perhaps you're describing on your truck.

In my experiences, you're going to experience some "play" in the wheel as the truck's suspension absorbing the shock makes it feel like it's "floating" along with throwing some "play" in the wheel as you're going over rougher driving surface for a second or two. It's the nature of a truck man... While the ride is light years better than my old Isuzu Hombre's suspension, at the end of the day, it's still just a truck. It's not going to be smooth or always easily controlled when driving over rough roadway and especially off-road.

In light of this, if you think you have any issues, get the wheel alignment checked and if necessary, corrected by a professional. Hopefully that will help, good luck man! *thumbsup*

 

Like i said, the truck is completely stock. I do have some very offset rims with about an inch bigger than stock tires. They stick way out of the sides, probably about 2-3 inches so it has a wide stance. Would aftermarket wheels that are lighter cause a "play" in the wheel? I cant imagine that my stockers were much heavier considering i had only 225's on them.

I dont know, it just seems that the steering is very.... drastic. I really have to pull the wheel down to make a drastic turn.

 

Like i said, the truck is completely stock. I do have some very offset rims with about an inch bigger than stock tires. They stick way out of the sides, probably about 2-3 inches so it has a wide stance. Would aftermarket wheels that are lighter cause a "play" in the wheel? I cant imagine that my stockers were much heavier considering i had only 225's on them.!@#I dont know, it just seems that the steering is very.... drastic. I really have to pull the wheel down to make a drastic turn.

Sorry i dismissed thus thread add nothing more than bad inner tire rods but upon reading this more carefully i now know, at least i think I've found your issue. With the track width now about 10% wider you're gonna experience more play in the steering. Learn a little bit about kingpin angle. The kingpin angle should land at the middle of the tire, if it doesn't, all sorts of crazy steering phenomenon can occur.!@#Also to those commenting on gong over bumps on a turn going hwy speed that is nothing more than a product of being higher off the ground. This to include stock. Either go slower over the bump or try to straighten out while going over the bump

 

I have two colys (09 Z85 and 12 Z71 both crews). And I feel what you say specially with the 09 Z85, the front suspension on bumpy roads feels loose, but I´ve inspected the whole thing and everything its tight. My big surprise is that in my brand new Z71 with uses torsion bars and a significant higher stance the "feel" on bumpy roads its about the same of the other truck.

Bot has stock suspension and both came brand new from the dealer.

Hope this can help

 

Your previous reply came in as I was asking about the suspension modifications. LOL

Since your wheels are so much wider that may be the cause of the steering issues. With the offset of the wheels it could be adding stress to the steering. Not sure...maybe?

That shouldn't affect the ride quality though. How many miles on the truck again? Just wondering if the shocks could be nearing their life span (ride quality). No amplified wear though on your tire/wheel size.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I didnt even think that the width of the stance may add to the oversteer, makes sense. The truck is a 04 4x4 Z85 with 107k on it.

 

My truck has always felt kind of loose and when I lifted it, that feeling increased. I think it's in the nature of torsion bar suspension to feel like that.

 

my zq8 has always felt like it could use a steering dampener. when I am turning and hit a good bump the whole truck kind jumps out and the steering wheel jolts side to side for second. kinda makes me wonder what it would do it I Wasnt holding on to the wheel when it happened. I have both new struts up front

 

This has happened to me me but I normally try to skip the potholes

 

I feel the same thing on mine.. lifted 1.5in on the front. I've wondered about steering dampers as well, anyone here use one or think it'd help?

 

I just thought it was the DJM LCAs that made the steering like that. Now I guess it happens to pretty much everyone.

 

If you have stock shocks I'd be willing to investigate that first for handling. At 100,000 plus they are probably all worn out.

 

I would worry about it, my 08 z85 feels the same way. When i switched from the z85 rims to the 17" zq8 rims with smaller sidewall tires, the steering is much more responsive, but potholes and speed bumps scare me more now. Its just how the truck is. Its always a big shock when I drive my girlfriends 08 Altima 3.5 v6 then go back to my truck. Hers is mmuucchh faster and i can steer it with my pinky finger. Makes me want to buy one, but i cant live without a truck!!

 

My 08 4x4 z85 is the same way it get's wild over bumps sometime, Those shocks are way beyond blown for sure. Mine were shot when I bought my truck at 57K miles I could compress them by hand and there was no rebound and they made all sorts of weird sounds. Stock shocks are junk.

Another thing is try to lower your tire pressure to 32.5-33 Front and 30-32.5 in the rear and see how it rides.

If the truck feels like it rolls or pitches hard in the turns your prolly going to want to replace all the shocks on the truck. I run a set of Bilstein 4600's it was like 300$ shipped for all 4. It rides nice not overly firm, but one issue I have is when I hit some decent bumps in the road with no weight in the rear of my Regular cab the rear will jump off the ground being so light.

My truck still doesnt hold great going over bumps at speed I just think its the truck like someone said. I've got a alignment and always rotate my tires and it just gets a lil weird.

 

Ya I just put out $700.00 for my whole front end............I guess it was do but it still hurts..............

 

My truck used to feel like that then I cranked the tb to level it out (1" or so) and it feels sk much better now and my headlights are perfectly level before one was way lower.

 

Thanks for the responses guys! I guess i will live with it for now. On the other hand, i have had that "damn i love this truck" feeling so much lately that i don't even care about its small quirks. I got my new audio system and my tune done and the truck just performs for me. It never misses a beat, it opens up nicely on the back roads and smooths out incredibly on the highway. Most girls forget they are in a pickup.

I have driven over 5-600 miles back and forth in the last month on dates and getting lucky in this thing like you would not believe! I suppose the ladies love the truck status and the fact that im not afraid to let loose (My Spanish friend especially). Being single is awesome, <<<--had to get that out.

355 Rules!:salute::salute:

 

my 2wd has the same issue, it has horrible bump steer. you hit a bump on the interstate doing 70-80 mph and it will take off to the left or right. if someone isnt careful, i could see someone loosing control. i also noticed, when i hit a bump and it does this, the left front side of the truck nose dives pretty hard and kida bounces for a couple seconds..im a mechanic by trade and have inspected the front end several times and found nothing mechanically wrong..im starting to just think its a design flaw somewhere.

 

2doorfury,

I understand that you are a mechanic, but if there is any questions, comments or concerns that you may have please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

Tina
GM Customer Service

 

My truck always tracked perfectly until I modified the suspension and tires. that was for 6 months with stock ride height and passenger tires (stock).

It had an over-steer problem is anything. I'd turn, and it wanted to stay turning. I blame it on the narrow track and thin tires. Not saying the tires are unusual, but for the track and stance of the truck I think so. I've never had such an issue with over-steer after the suspension modifications.

Why am I the only person who can't say "I have the exact same problem". I my truck were taller stock, I'd leave it alone. LOL

 

Good to hear you guys chime in on similar issues.

 

Ahh, thank you Kmac! Good explanation. I suppose this would explain it. Atleast nothing does need replacing from what i can see.

Thanks again!

 

I'm new to the nation, so I wanted to bring this post back to life because i have an issue with my front end. My 2011 colorado crew cab zq8(18,000 miles) feels loose on a bumpy road. As I'm going down a bumpy road at under 30mph the right front feels loose as if the tire is holding the road, sort of bouncing off it ( a clunking sound). I would say its either a sway bar or a shock issue. the left isnt really as bad as the right. I'm so pisssed i picked this truck up 3 weeks ago and now it has to go back for this.

 

Hopefully it's something simple. Since it didn't do that 3 weeks ago, it sounds like you are on top of it quickly enough that the fix should be easy to find and repair.

Don't be pissed, no vehicle is without issue. If you have a vehicle that never has to have repair then you're definitely one of the lucky ones.

 

yea when i go over bumps a lot it feels like my steering column is loose, everything is tight just like a virgin though. its just a design flaw i think..... not sure what causes it but its perfectly normal. And to add to what you said. I bought my truck within a day of my divorce. Within the first month i spent every night at the bar (not to proud of it) but what i am proud of is my truck. Got me more pussy then ive ever gotten.. and its not even lifted or anything.. bitches find our trucks sexy for some reason.

 

Imo our suspension geometry is crap. The arms are way too short and so is the spindle. Look at most other trucks and their spindles/arms are 20-30% longer minimum. 3 inches lift are we can hardly align, 3 inches down and the cam slots have to be reamed out. Any amount of lift or lowering will cause the geometry to be outside the stock envelope. Never mind the fact our steering racks lack serious bracing. Imo gm decided to bushing the rack just so they didn't have to engineer a stronger one.

 

Yes longer control arms is definitely a plus when it comes to front end suspension - much greater control. I think the weight of these trucks also plays a factor.

And putting aftermarket wheels on it can change things, especially if they stick out more which changes the scrub radius and can have a big impact on how your steering feels over bumps.

However, don't forget that these are all trucks, and high speed handling is not in their design. Most trucks I've ever had jump around a bit (other than new F150) and there are many
reasons for it.