Complaint 1065973

Complaint Summary

STEERING

Owner Narrative

THE PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO HAVE A "DEAD SPOT" IN IT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED 3/4 TURN TO 1 COMPLETE TURN. YOU CAN FEEL THE SLACK IN THE STEERING BOX WHEN MAKING A TURN(LEFT OR RIGHT)THE STEERING WHEEL WILL HAVE UP TO 2 1/2 INCHES OF "FREE PLAY" WHEN TURNING(THERE IS NO "FREE PLAY" WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT) IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE PICKUP NEW OFF OF THE LOT. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT SINCE THEN AND BEEN TOLD BY GM MECHANICS THAT IT IS THE STEERING GEAR. IF YOU TIGHTEN UP THE STEERING GEAR IT WILL TAKE THE "FREE PLAY" OUT, BUT THE STEERING WILL BE MORE SENSITIVE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. SO TIGHTENING UP THE STEERING GEAR SOLVES ONE PROBLEM BUT CAUSES PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE??? ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION(FMCSA) SECTION 393.209 STEERING WHEEL SYSTEMS. THAT(DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF STEERING WHEEL) THE STEERING WHEEL LASH SHALL NOT EXCEED 14 DEGREES ANGULAR ROTATION FOR MANUAL STEERING OR 30 DEGREES ANGULAR ROTATION FOR POWER STEERING SYSTEMS AT ANY GIVEN POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS LIKE THAT ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES, HOW IS MY PERSONAL VEHICLE CONSIDERED "SAFE" WITH 2 1/2 INCHES OF "FREE PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL??? *JS

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.