A few days ago my truck developed a wicked pulse while turning. If I hold the wheel at a set angle while turning the wheel pulses/turnes prolly 15 degrees in my hand. It does it both directions and the pulses increase in frequency with speed. I also get pulses when returning the wheel to straight after completing a turn. If I turn while truck is still it is completley smooth making me think its something in the driveline not the steering components. Any thoughts? Tires? Wheel Brg? Anything to check? Going out of town in two weeks so I need to fix it asap.

 

Steering gear sounds shot.

 

Sounds like the 4x4 is engaged.

 

I know what you are thinking about the 4x4 being engaged but its a different feeling than that.

 

How is the condition of the tires/wheels??

 

Good I think... I have the Km2s on it and always had vibration problems with them when I got em so I went with a set of centramatics. Was smooth for about 8k miles now this. I may try rotating the tires to see if that helps. Maybe a cord broke. But the truck is still smooth going straight.

 

Bad front u-joint!!! Ask me how I know

 

That's interesting that you should say that- I noticed a similar condition on my 94, moving at slow speeds. When turning, there was a pulse input in the steering. It just started one day. I pulled the front tires off, looking at things, and while there, pumped some grease into the front u-joints. I swear I saw dust come out of them- I bought the truck last year, and hadn't seen the zerks in the front u-joints. Needless to say, I imagine that I caught it just in time. They are still tight, and the pulsing has stopped since getting grease into them. I would definitely take a look at the front u-joints. Especially if it doesn't do it when the truck is sitting still.