M1097A2 Steering Binding while turning.

[MCQaz]

Hey Guys,
I have been having an intermittent issue with my steering and was wondering if any of you had any ideas.
My rig has the 6.5na and the 4L80E transmission.
Here is what is going on. Engine properly warmed up.
While driving with trans in OD and transfer case in H. I come to a stop sign and slow to a stop from around 25-30 PMH (not sure if its speed related but wanted to be thorough).
I make a right hand turn from the stop sign after coming to a complete stop. As I gently accelerate and start to straighten the wheel after making the turn it "binds" or feels like it locks up for a second. It is just long enough to start a panic but seems to function properly immediately afterwards. I is not a locked differential thing as it is rolling smoothly at the time and continues to roll freely. It is as if the power steering is switched off for a split second. It resists the rotational movement just enough to cause you to grip the wheel tighter and prepare to muscle the wheel as if it were armstrong steering.
I should also mention that I am on smooth asphalt and no bumps or noticeable flexing of the suspension. I can't say for sure that it only happens when turning right either but it has done it several times now.
Ball joints and steering linkage seem tight (no signs of excessive play)
I have rotated the wheel from lock to lock many times while bleeding PS system and many times since trying to duplicate the problem but no luck. Wheels move smoothly without binding or pump whine.
Any of you have any thoughts on this?
I am ready to start the process of making it road legal but am concerned that steering may lock up at some point.

 

[Bscap]

Hey Guys,
I have been having an intermittent issue with my steering and was wondering if any of you had any ideas.
My rig has the 6.5na and the 4L80E transmission.
Here is what is going on. Engine properly warmed up.
While driving with trans in OD and transfer case in H. I come to a stop sign and slow to a stop from around 25-30 PMH (not sure if its speed related but wanted to be thorough).
I make a right hand turn from the stop sign after coming to a complete stop. As I gently accelerate and start to straighten the wheel after making the turn it "binds" or feels like it locks up for a second. It is just long enough to start a panic but seems to function properly immediately afterwards. I is not a locked differential thing as it is rolling smoothly at the time and continues to roll freely. It is as if the power steering is switched off for a split second. It resists the rotational movement just enough to cause you to grip the wheel tighter and prepare to muscle the wheel as if it were armstrong steering.
I should also mention that I am on smooth asphalt and no bumps or noticeable flexing of the suspension. I can't say for sure that it only happens when turning right either but it has done it several times now.
Ball joints and steering linkage seem tight (no signs of excessive play)
I have rotated the wheel from lock to lock many times while bleeding PS system and many times since trying to duplicate the problem but no luck. Wheels move smoothly without binding or pump whine.
Any of you have any thoughts on this?
I am ready to start the process of making it road legal but am concerned that steering may lock up at some point.

I have a 1097A2 as well and have not experienced this however I saw a video recently of a guy who what's similar intermittent binding and although nothing obvious in the steering system, he replaced idler and pitman arms and the problem was cured. Expensive guess but all I can think of. Good luck!!

 

[Coug]

I had some binding, and replacing idler arm fixed it.

I also occasionally had an issue with the turn signal auto cancel feature managing to point straight on into one of the cancelling pins and that would cause the wheel to not turn properly either. Wasn't very often but did happen when just barely spinning the wheel to the pin was pushing against the cancel lever until it was almost past it but not quite. Finally got rid of the cancel lever and just turn it off manually like nature intended.

 

[MCQaz]

I have a 1097A2 as well and have not experienced this however I saw a video recently of a guy who what's similar intermittent binding and although nothing obvious in the steering system, he replaced idler and pitman arms and the problem was cured. Expensive guess but all I can think of. Good luck!!

Thanks for the response. I am reserving this as a last-ditch option though. I hate throwing money at a problem unless I can verify the part is bad. So far, I have no indication of that.

 

[MCQaz]

I had some binding, and replacing idler arm fixed it.

I also occasionally had an issue with the turn signal auto cancel feature managing to point straight on into one of the cancelling pins and that would cause the wheel to not turn properly either. Wasn't very often but did happen when just barely spinning the wheel to the pin was pushing against the cancel lever until it was almost past it but not quite. Finally got rid of the cancel lever and just turn it off manually like nature intended.

Thanks. I suspected this as well and have backed the switch away from the auto cancel pins to test this theory. However, I am fairly certain that I first noticed it before I had the switch installed. I haven't noticed it since though.