so I dont know if yall know. the power power steering is not the best for 4x4 and offroad applications

so I have a 2014 chevy silverado 1500 5.3 lt z71 with 4x4.
it is lifter 4 inches on rough country parts with bilstein lifted shocks and blocks.

my power steering unit seems to be going out, it seels to have about 1/2 inch of play comming out of the unit and my tie rods also seem to be a little bit loose. in total it leaves my steering something to be desired and it wobbles pritty hard at about 60. Steering seems to be loose all the time, and my alignment is terrible, and I am eating through tires like a fad kid in a candy store.

can anyone help me figure out what parts to get to fix this problem in the future?

thanks in advance.

p.s. I thought about swapping to the hydraulic system from the 2013 for the 2500 hd, or something but I dont know yet.

also I bought some bigger ppe tie rods to add to the madness but they dont fit.

 

How many miles are on your Chevy? Have you been taking care of the fittings at all. Yes I know the newer vehicles have fewer zerk grease fittings then the old units did, but you might consider upgrading them to better one that can be lubricated. If you are off-road a lot, it will put lots of stress on the parts, and being lifted will exponentially be negative to a good extent.

 

this truck has about 140 k miles and is in good shape for the millage. the truck has had its maintenance at every other oil change or so so the grease has been added. I have some offroad PPE tie rods that I will be installing in the future. hope this helps? do I need to replace my power steering unit? those are pricey due to it being electric and all.

 

I am glad that you posted this. Until now I assumed that electrical steering was not standard fare on four-wheel drive vehicles.You are correct, however. At this point I am amiss, since I thought EPS was only used on light cars, like my 2015 Chevy Malibu.

I would never in my life buy an off-road vehicle with electric power steering. That is no blame on you but on the designers, and the quest to eliminate petroleum in every item that they can, not only by the vehicle manufacturers, but by all the insane laws passed in Washington, D.C.and other jurisdictions.

If I were you, and I am not, I would consider a move back in time to a more reasonable 4x4 pickup with hydraulic power-steering. My 1998 Chevy K-1500 will be the last 4x4 vehicle I ever own due to things like this, as well as many other issues with newer vehicles, that I am too old to deal with. Comes a time to make a stand and I have.

 

so I know my computer will go haywire if I do not use the factory set up to replace the one I have and I think it's hilarious that they did this in the truck honestly. were they playing jokes on people? do you know of anyone who has done a swap on a power steering unit and if so what did they use to swap it out with something more......robust... I would need a lot of stuff to make this work. possibly going to a DONER truck with a BIGGER engine with a power steering unit to mount up... like a junked 2011 or 12 2500 or 3500 HD with a power steering unit.
have you ever heard of anyone doing this? is it worth the time and effort or should I just stick with the factory setup? "for an arm and a leg"?

 

I wouldn't consider it myself. My 1998 K-1500 has the independent front suspension, but I'd rather have a Dana 30 solid axle like on my old Jeep with Warn manual locking hubs. That way I could pull the cover off the front differential, and repair anything, check for spider gear wear and so forth, I can't do that with the axle I have now, but modifying it would be too costly and time consuming for my pocket-book.

That said I take real good care of it. I ran a magnetic snake down the front axle to pickup any iron/steel but it was okay.I use synthetic lubricants in everything, even the zerk fitting chassis grease. I only use Royal Purple, since its top of the line synthetic products, as good as Amsoil or better, and no multi-level marketing stuff either.

Their 5w-20 motor oil hasn't been rated for Dexos I or 2, so I use Valvoline synthetic motor oil in my 2015 Chevy Malibu 2.5 liter, until they are approved. GDI motors need lots of attention and top of the line fuel.

At this point I don't know what you can do or afford, as the EPS is $800 USD just for the part on Rock Auto for your Chevy. Labor costs at a shop wouldn't be cheap either.