I have a 1998 Silverado z71, 5.7L It has 81k miles on it and over the past few months the steering wheel has been beginning to jerk in the direction of the turn. It started off on long gradual turns and now it seems like it jerks every time i make a turn. The jerking isnt bad enough to lose control but it is getting annoying. It always seems to do it mid turn and it will jerk my hand about 3 inches. There is a little bit of play in the wheel also. There haven't been any wierd or unusual noises coming from under the hood and I have noticed a little puddle of redish/clear fluid that smells like brake fluid on my garage floor after i pull it out in the morning for work. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

Sounds like you have a steering sensor going bad. It is a disc like object at the bottom of the steering shaft in the cab.

 

Sounds like play somewhere in the steering rack.

You may also want to check/replace your steering damper.

 

Where ARE my manners this week?

Hey 98Z71,

Welcome to the Chevy Forums.

Be sure to check our "thread search" feature when you are

troubleshooting a problem. Enjoy.

 

Does it have a lift kit, if so that will prematurely wear out steering parts.

 

I have the same issue with my 1997 Z71....I changed the idler arm, tightened the steering box...aligned the front end and still the same problem...I do not have a lift kit on the truck it is the stock height...I never heard of a steering sensor for it but i will check that....

 

I have the same problem. The jerk is annoying and scares the hell outta me, never know when it might jerk all the way and cause a crash.
After Google-ing for awhile I read that it could be an EVO sensor, and/or burnt power steering fluid (which should be flushed and changed) I am not sure how to flush it, Hope someone can give me some insight on that procedure. It also stated to check the pitman and idler arms. (NOTE) Mine only does it in a right hand curve... No prob in a left hand curve.

I would be very grateful for any advice on this!!!

Thanks in advance for any help!

Thunder.

 

Steering wheel speed sensor is definatley ur problem... Go to a napa or order it on amazon...

 

Sorry I haven't been on here in a long time but i fixed the problem. My water pump was leaking fluid onto the belt and eventually the pump blew so i replaced the pump and the belt. It still jerks but very rarely and its barely noticeable. I will check out the disk and the sensor

 

You have a 98 with 81K miles? Sweet. I had this problem, took my K1500 to the only good front end shop in Albuquerque, and got fixed with an idler arm and A frame bushings. I had a leak too, but it's my power steering pump. My truck is at 190K and counting.