I have just had the ball joints, control arm bushings, pitman arm, and idler arm replaced on my 1997 K1500. The mechanic tells me that the alignment came out perfect - dead center on the manufacturer's spec. However, when I turn a corner the steering wheel needs help returning to center. Also, while the vehicle pretty much goes straight down the road, when going around a curve or changing lanes the steering wheel does not return to center on its own so it it has to be brought back manually which leads to over compensation and if I'm not very careful the truck seems to start darting from one side of the lane to the other. I really trust the shop that did the work but he is talking about pulling out all the after market parts (they are a top brand) for OEM parts. Any ideas?

 

I think you can rule out the control arms, however you might recheck the pittman arm. As far as using OEM parts, I don't think there would be any difference unless you used el cheapo.

 

Jack truck up and see were the play is before wheels start to turn. Keep aftermarket parts if there not broken

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to post what finally fixes the problem.

 

My truck did the same thing. I almost hit a car cause I brought me hands off the steering wheel and it kept turning. I replaced the idler arm and pitman arm on it cause it needed it and my dad stripped every bolt hole on the steering box so I put a new one on and it fixed it

 

I had a 94 that did that an i agree with mudd mutt. Steering box. You dont have to get a new one there are rebuild kits. Thats what we did an alignment an good as new. A new box was $500 rebuild kit $9.95. That was in washington tho.

 

The problem turned out to be that one of the new ball joints was bad. The mechanic that changed them stated that when he was installing the right side upper ball joint it did not seat very well and he had to force it together with the mounting bolts. The shop went ahead and replaced all four ball joints with OEM (AC Delco) parts at their expense and the problem is solved.