97 Sub K2500 steering issues

[Misanthropial]

Greetings CK5, I've been a reader of this website for years, finally had to register to get some advice on my Suburban. The steering feels fine while driving down the highway or on town streets. The issues seem to occur while taking sharp turns at slow speeds, backing out of my driveway or getting into/out of parking spots. It feels fine if the turns are very slight, but as the wheels are turned more, whether to the left or right, I feel what I can only describe as binding. For some reason I'm thinking this is not the pump, or the steering box, the linkages all appear to be in working order. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[496truck]

Describe the binding.

Binding in the steering wheel, like it's harder to turn the wheel? or like a loss of power steering assist?

Or binding in the drivetrain, like the wheels are turned sharply but the vehicle will not move? Similar to how a 4x4 drives on dry pavement while 4x4 is engaged?

 

[Misanthropial]

No binding in steering wheel, power assist feels fine, the drivetrain binding sounds most like it. I have to actually give it quite a bit of gas to get it moving and the tires sound like they are going through hell during that. I actually had a tire come off while I was driving due to this issue. I didn't realize how serious it was. Stripped all of the lug nuts off and the tire/wheel came right off. Thank goodness I was coming to a stop sign, and no other cars were around.

 

[bronc3buster842001]

Wheel bearings on the front trying to seize up maybe.

 

[496truck]

Offhand it sounds like the 4x4 is engaged. 97, does it have the push button 4x4? If so, those actuators are known to fail. Sounds to me like the actuator in the t-case is stuck in 4hi.

The wheel coming off? I would bet something else was up to make that happen. Maybe the lugs were loose to begin with.

 

[Misanthropial]

I'll check the wheel bearings, and what is the easiest way to check on the actuator? Could that be a matter of pulling a fuse?

 

[496truck]

No fuse, if the actuator failed than it is stuck in whatever position it's in.

You can get all 4 wheels off the ground, safely on jack stands, then get in and start it up. Put foot on brake, put trans in 1st or 2nd gear to prevent high wheel speed. Release brake and see which wheels are spinning. Even look underneath (watch out for moving parts) and see if the front driveshaft is turning, it should not be if in 2wd mode.