S-10 front end wobble - CarForums.net

jammer · 12-30-2005, 02:45 PM

Just recently I feel a wobble in the steering wheel on my S-10 4x4. Wheels are balanced and tires are fairly new. Mostly feel this at slower speeds and there's a tendancy for it to pull to the right. I don't hear any noises associated with this problem. The truck has 75000 miles on it and 4x4 isn't used much other than on very snowy days.
Anyone know what this may be?

Revolution · 12-30-2005, 05:00 PM

First off check your alignment.. letting go of the wheel in a safe parkinglot or something at about 15 mph it should stay straight. If it pulls then first thing I would check is the tie rod ends. From there if those are in good shape I would check the idler and pitman arm in the steering linkage when you are checking that out you might want to see how the center link is too. Now I realize you may or may not know what that is. If you are uncomfortable with it what I would do would be to take it to a local tire shop and tell them to check it for you. Due to your mileage I really think it's just time for a front end rebuild as far as the steering linkages go.. they last about that long on the 4wd s10's becuase of the added weight on the front components. The wobble also could be in the ball joints again.. something that wears out on the 4wd alot.. as well as the knuckle in the steering shaft.. I don't think it is the steering gear box that's the heart of it all.

If you feel ambitious what you can do is raise it up so both front wheels are off the ground and with the steering wheel locked grab a tire.. wobble it side to side like if you were trying to turn it by hand.. if it wobbles or wobbles excessively you have a worn part in the steering linkage.. tie rod inner or outer, or the centerlink or pitman arm or idler arm.. now if you try and wobble it up and down grabbing the top and bottom of the tire and wobble it that way. If there is any play there then you have a bad ball joint.

Best of luck to you

jammer · 12-30-2005, 07:19 PM

Thanks much for your quick responce. I'll check as you suggested and I appreciate your help.

jammer

12-30-2005, 05:00 PM	#2
Revolution The FCUK you admin - Retired CF Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicago/Vegas Posts: 8,383 Vehicle Profile: Year: 2002 Make: Chevrolet Model: Turbo Blazer Xtreme	First off check your alignment.. letting go of the wheel in a safe parkinglot or something at about 15 mph it should stay straight. If it pulls then first thing I would check is the tie rod ends. From there if those are in good shape I would check the idler and pitman arm in the steering linkage when you are checking that out you might want to see how the center link is too. Now I realize you may or may not know what that is. If you are uncomfortable with it what I would do would be to take it to a local tire shop and tell them to check it for you. Due to your mileage I really think it's just time for a front end rebuild as far as the steering linkages go.. they last about that long on the 4wd s10's becuase of the added weight on the front components. The wobble also could be in the ball joints again.. something that wears out on the 4wd alot.. as well as the knuckle in the steering shaft.. I don't think it is the steering gear box that's the heart of it all. If you feel ambitious what you can do is raise it up so both front wheels are off the ground and with the steering wheel locked grab a tire.. wobble it side to side like if you were trying to turn it by hand.. if it wobbles or wobbles excessively you have a worn part in the steering linkage.. tie rod inner or outer, or the centerlink or pitman arm or idler arm.. now if you try and wobble it up and down grabbing the top and bottom of the tire and wobble it that way. If there is any play there then you have a bad ball joint. Best of luck to you __________________ I wish my grass was emo so it would cut itself

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12-30-2005, 07:19 PM	#3
jammer Car Enthusiast CF Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 3 Vehicle Profile: Year: 1997 Make: Chevrolet Model: S-10 pickup	Thanks much for your quick responce. I'll check as you suggested and I appreciate your help. jammer

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