Steering problems on 2009 Hummer H2

[ken.j]

My wife tolds me that the steering was really stiff when parking her truck recently and that she had to really yard on it.
I had fitted a set of American Eagle 064 Alloys with 325/65/18 Toyo Open Country All terrains when we purchased the vehicle and it had always driven better than stock.
When I tried it from parking position, it was as if the steering had locked up i.e. no power although once you pulled hard it came through and no problems when moving at speed.
I took it to my local GM dealer ( who service but are not authorised to carry out warranty repairs on the Hummer range) to lube the front end and the technician said although he could find nothing obvious and lubed the front end, felt that it didn't feel right and that I should take it to the Hummer dealership as it is still covered under warranty.
He also mentioned that while he did not believe that the larger tires were responsible for this symptom, that I should put back on the stock wheels and tires as e.g. if the steering was found to be worn/faulty that the Hummer dealership may try to blame the wheels and not warranty repairs.
The truck has only 5000 yes 5000 miles on it.
I run my own F350 and Raptor with 37's and have never had any issues.
Any thoughts of any experience of this would be mush appreciated.


Ken

[Big.Z.hummin]

this might sound almost to obvious... but check to see which driving mode it is in. if its in 4 hi lock it will drive completely normal but will feel like there is something stopping the car from moving when the tires are at full lock. (esp. when parking)

[slippy]

i always have to use more force turning the wheel is the vehicle isnt moving...
if its only when the vehicle isnt moving its becuase the steering pump has to work that much harder.

[ken.j]

Appreciate the replies, have checked and was not in 4W hi lock.
Symptom occurs when parking at low speed. Previously had no issues at all when parking or turning at slow speed as with my other two trucks even when parking, I could palm the steering wheel - have to wrench now on the H2.

Also as mentioned local GM Tech " feels " something not right with steering. I guess best to put back stockers and take into Hummer dealership to check out.

[H2Much]

Throw on the stock wheels and get it back in to the dealership, especially since you are still on warranty. Sounds to me like your steering pump is going out, your steering fluid is clogged in a hose somewhere, or that you do not have enough steering fluid (A leak). Could also be wrong fluid or somethign completely different like a bad steering column bearing. I had to replace both the sterring pump and the steering column bearing (they have a name for this one) and I have been rocking 40's. Being brand new like that, I want to say that there is a factory defect on one of the parts but hard to say which as there could be several things affecting it.

Good luck.