Well, I just got done replacing my front steering components, everything but the steering gear box that is. Damn that Pitman arm was a bitch to remove, I broke one puller during the process. I thought I would add some info (part numbers) to the site for those of you that are looking at doing this. Part#s work for my 2001 GMC Sierra EC 4x4.

Pitman arm - Moog# K6536

Idler arm - Moog# K6534

Outer Tie Rod ends - Moog# ES 3493T

Inner Tie Rods - Moog# ES 3488

Hope this proves useful to someone, I had a bad vibration in the truck and this seems to have taken care of most of it. Truck is at the shop getting aligned as I type. I'm hoping it comes back tracking and handling as good as new (almost). Next up is to remove and rebuild the front differential/axle that is groaning (carrier bearings I hope) and leaking out of the passenger axle tube. Then I will be ready for the transfer-case rebuild and built transmission / torque converter install!

 

Well crap, the vibration I have is NOT gone. Just got back from a 1000 mile roadtrip and the F'er shakes like a dancer in a strip club! Well, not that bad, but enough to drive me insane over the distance, and it's just plain annoying!

The alignment is right. The front end balljoints, bushings, and all wheels/tires are balanced. The passenger seat can be seen/felt vibrating back and forth when driving down the road. Could this problem be something with the drivetrain?

I just want to get this fixed, as the truck handles great now, brakes work awesome, and the engine is pining away over Maggie sitting on my shelf. I'm contemplaiting taking in to a shop

Naah, I won't do that.

 

Threw the truck up on four jackstands today, put the truck in gear and identified the culprit. Right rear axle is BENT!!! The wheel rim edge is moving in/out about 1/8"!!! You can see the wobble with the naked eye it's so bad. It's also the cause of the brake squeal on light application that I couldn't figure out.

I also found the front driverside inner tie rod was shot, after a little over a year. Steering had been sloppy lately, with a bad pull to the right. Now the steering has tightened up considerably, with only a slight pull to the right, time to get another alignment.

 

Just got done installing a OE GM rear axle shaft, bearing, and seal. Threw 2 quarts of synthetic 75w90 in there. Cleaned up the brake rotor and pads, lubed the pins and pad slides, and applied anti squeal to the pads.

Then I said, aww, what the hell, I'm going to check my drive shaft u-joints again. Good thing I did, the pinion yoke to drive shaft yoke was bad. Just one cap had rusted out all to hell, it was missing nearly 4 rolling pins, and the cross was pitted to hell. Got the new Napa sourced one in and all seems well. Lubed the slip yoke and re-installed.

Now, for the moment of truth. The test drive went well, with almost 90% of the vibration gone, drivetrain noise is now back to "normal", and the wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa noise of the (now) "out of true" right rear tire is not too bad. Now it seems that I need to pony up for some new tires, as the right rear wore to match the bent axle that it was mounted to. Has anyone had any experience with the Hankook DynaPro Atm RF10? This tire looks to be a good compromise of off-road capability with decent highway mileage ability.

Off to get an alignment tomorrow to get rid of that pull to the right now that the axle is straight.... Hope that fixes it.

 

Any clue what may have bent the axle?

I'm currently considering getting a set of the hardened axles from ron...