Steering Gone Wild: Fixing a Loose Steering Issue on a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 6.6 Diesel
When your truck starts wandering across lanes at highway speeds, it’s more than just annoying — it’s dangerous. This 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Dually in Oceanside, CA came to us with exactly that problem. The driver, who uses the truck daily to haul heavy loads for remodeling projects, noticed that the steering had become loose and unpredictable, especially on the freeway.
Diagnosing the Problem
After a full steering and suspension inspection, our mechanic identified excessive play in the steering gear box — the critical component that translates steering wheel movement to the front wheels. Over time, the internal gears and bearings inside the steering box wear down, leading to vague, floating steering and uneven control.
The Repair
We replaced the worn-out steering gear box with a new heavy-duty unit designed for the Silverado 3500’s towing and hauling capacity. Removal required a professional pitman arm puller, as the factory arm was seized onto the output shaft — a job not for the faint of heart or the basic toolset. Once installed, the new gear box eliminated the wandering and restored tight, confident steering control.
Results You Can Feel
The difference was immediate. The driver reported a smoother, more responsive steering feel with improved stability on the freeway. For trucks with dual rear wheels (dually setups), proper steering alignment and component integrity are essential for handling heavy loads safely.
Why It Matters
Ignoring worn steering components can lead to erratic handling, uneven tire wear, or even complete loss of steering control — especially on heavy-duty work trucks like the Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra, or Chevrolet 2500HD.
If your truck feels loose on the road or drifts while driving, it’s time to have it inspected by a professional. Carlsbad Mobile Mechanic specializes in steering and suspension repairs, front-end inspections, and heavy-duty truck maintenance throughout Carlsbad, CA, Encinitas, CA, Oceanside, CA, Solana Beach, CA, and Del Mar, CA.
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