1998 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: jerking or lurching

Filed Mar 25, 2005 · Steering · 55,000 miles · WA

While driving at most any speed and making a slight right hand turn, the power steering will hesitate then jerk to the right, requiring the driver to sometimes over compensate the steering to to left. At this time the problem hasn't been bad enough to cause an accident, but is getting worse. This has happened hundreds of times over the past year. I haven't fixed the problem since I can't afford the repair cost.

Filed May 5, 2004 · Driver assistance · SC

While driving at any speed steering jerked to the left. This made it difficult for vehicle to keep on the road.

Filed Apr 10, 2004 · Steering · 58,788 miles · NC

Problem with steering, feels like loose wheel, like hitting ice on roadway, but no ice . Replaced idler arm assembly. Better for awhile but still jerks.

Filed Feb 12, 2004 · Steering · 97,000 miles · AL

Consumer complained about a steering problem. While driving at highway speeds steering jerked from one side to the other.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Steering · ND

I own a 98 chevy pick up, as well as a 96 gmc suburban, and have had numerous problems with the power steering on both vehicles. The pick up has been exceptionally bad with the "harder" left turns, and the "overly" easy right turns, or jerks. Travelling on the highway with either vehicle, if you adjust the steering for a crosswind, they will fight going left (this is not constant, which makes it worse as it is unexpected) and launch to the right with the slightest touch (also not constant). I believe that these vehicles could easily be included in the recall. I had spoken with a local dealer after hearing of a power steering related recall pending (in october 2003) and was assured no such thing was going on, and my vehicles would not be involved anyway. I have shown jan. 10th 2004 as an incident date, as the form could not be completed without that information. This has however been a problem on and off since purchasing the truck (new in july 98) and the suburban (used in jan. 99) also, since purchasing the 96 suburban, I have had to replace the lower (mounted on bottom of pump) power steering line twice, due to breakage and leaks, and I now have another (replaced same hose on pick-up) leak somewhere in the pick-ups power steering system (it has been too cold to wash the vehicle properly under the hood, so I can inspect hoses, but am fairly certain it is once again the same hose)

Filed Jan 2, 2003 · Steering · 56,000 miles · MN

Faulty evo sensors caused the wheel to jerk to one side while driving 60 MPH. The dealer has been notified. *ts

Filed Feb 25, 2002 · Steering · IN

Intermittently vehicle would jerk at various speeds. *ak consumer stated that the steering wheel jerks at intermittent intervals. This causes consumer to over steer or over correct. Dealer installed e.v.o sensor and this sensor also failed causing the same problem over again.

Filed Nov 14, 2001 · Steering · FL

One can be driving perfectly straight or turning a curve. The speed does not matter. Failure of the evo sensor causes the wheel to be jerked to one side with no warning. This is a very dangerous condition which could result in injury or death for someone not expecting the sudden movement or for a individual lacking sufficient strength/response time.

Filed Jul 20, 2001 · Transmission · GA

Steering defect will end up causing accidents and death if caught by surprise, it makes you jerk the steering wheel at speed while making a a turn. Transmission problem is wide spred, every shop I contacted could tell me the error code(1870) and the solution, and that this part always fails just outside of warranty. Gm kows this, and yet does not help. This defect is causing consumers from 400-2800 in repairs for a part with a known failure rate.

Filed Nov 6, 2000 · Suspension · AL

The sensor that controls power steering effort has failed twice on this vehicle. It is an intermittent condition where the effort required to steer the vehicle varies greatly for no apparent reason. The most dangerous condition would occur while driving at high speed. The steering effort would suddenly change from normal to very light. When this occured while negotiating a curve at high speed, it would jerk you off the road.

Filed Aug 22, 2000 · Steering · AZ

Steering wheel feels slippery & would jerk or pull to the right or left on its own. Took to dealer & had replaced the old sensor with a new evo sensor in the steering column. Problem is intermittent & could not be duplicated.