Hello, Newcomer here.
I have a 2005 Trailblazer LT EXT ~170K miles with some play in the steering wheel.
I don't hear any noises while turning the wheel, there also isnt any major drift while driving, certainly not enough for me to really notice. I checked ball joints, bushings, tie rods and steering rack bushings, all checked out. Shocks and struts are about 2 months old at this point, alignment was performed after replacement with no issues reported by the shop. Tires also in good ccondition.
I held onto the steering shaft that's accessible from behind the gas pedal with a pair of vice grips and wiggled the wheel at the same time. I could not detect anything wrong so it's gotta be down below.
I took a look underneath, moving the boot upwards on the lower U joint to take a look, now this is my first time doing anything with steering components, but the U joint didn't seem loose to me. I also had someone move the steering wheel while I was down there, there weren't any noises.
So that would just leave the gears in the steering rack as the main culprit, or have I missed something? I also have some videos when I had it up on the jack showing the play and the sort of springyness of the wheel when jiggled around. I'll get those uploaded as soon as I can.
I have a 2005 Trailblazer LT EXT ~170K miles with some play in the steering wheel.
I don't hear any noises while turning the wheel, there also isnt any major drift while driving, certainly not enough for me to really notice. I checked ball joints, bushings, tie rods and steering rack bushings, all checked out. Shocks and struts are about 2 months old at this point, alignment was performed after replacement with no issues reported by the shop. Tires also in good ccondition.
I held onto the steering shaft that's accessible from behind the gas pedal with a pair of vice grips and wiggled the wheel at the same time. I could not detect anything wrong so it's gotta be down below.
I took a look underneath, moving the boot upwards on the lower U joint to take a look, now this is my first time doing anything with steering components, but the U joint didn't seem loose to me. I also had someone move the steering wheel while I was down there, there weren't any noises.
So that would just leave the gears in the steering rack as the main culprit, or have I missed something? I also have some videos when I had it up on the jack showing the play and the sort of springyness of the wheel when jiggled around. I'll get those uploaded as soon as I can.
