97 Silverado 1500 - Steering Problem
 

I was wondering if any of you have ever disconnected the steering speed sensor (variable assist power steering) on a 97 Chevy 1/2 ton Silverado or simular model? I am having a weird steering issue between 40mph & 60mph while going through a long sweeping left curve. I have read about the steering sensor on 97 & newer models & this sounds like the exact issue that I am having. So I ask again...am I able to disable???

RE: 97 Silverado 1500 - Steering Problem
 

ok I will bite! try disconnecting the sensor the way I understand it is it is just used to regulate fluid flow through the valve that sits behind it(in the pump)....what is the problem you are having? could it be suspension or tire related?

RE: 97 Silverado 1500 - Steering Problem
 

Nothe problemis the sensor. My sensor has a dead spot in it on long left sweepingcurves at about 50mph & it is intermittent. Before I discovered the sensor I had taken it into a front end shop & had the front end completely checked out &it is all in great mechanical shape. When I told them what it was doing they said they haven't ran across a problem like this before. Evidently they haven't heard of the sensor before & weren't hip to it either. They recommended that I change the steering gear box or the power steering pump. Before I went out to replace parts on a guess I had gotten online & researched & found a few people that had the same problem that I am having.

Here is a comment that I found online...

Chevy put in a steering sensor or stabilizer on the steering column. Mine has gone out three times. If any of you reading this are experiancing a tight steering wheel, then a loose wheel on turns, mostly right turns, this is probably your problem. For some reason it fluctuates between tight and loose on right turns at about 45-55 miles an hour. It is very dangerous.

& here's another...

The Steering problem with the 97 and newer trucks is with a the EVO sensor on the lower steering column. Its about 100 bucks and dealer only I believe. The symtoms are sudden jerks or the wheel usually when going around a long bend. Its the sensor screwing up and changing the orifice size on the power steering to reduce the effort. Variable assist power steering started on the 97 trucks.

RE: 97 Silverado 1500 - Steering Problem
 

I would try unplugging it and see what happens.......or pull it out and see if it needs cleaning becouse it is a mechanical/electrical switch...................I know its a pain in the@#$#% I just did a pump on my burban....just a couple ideas to try first before "throwing" parts at it

RE: 97 Silverado 1500 - Steering Problem
 

Yeah that's kind ofwhat I was thinking. I can't believe that a front end specialist would recommend replacing parts when he has no idea if that's the cause. I'll check it out tomorrow & post up the what I discover. Thanks...

New to the forum, and am having the same problem with my 98 Z71 K1500. It's scary pulling the fifth wheel camper on a windy day when the steering cuts in and out. Any updates on this? Old thread, but I have the same problem.

There is a kit to do away with this sensor. I had the issue on a 97 Tahoe - when at higher speeds if I tried to change lanes it would jerk to one side fairly hard. I replaced the sensor and it was fixed, but I didn't know about the delete kit for it back then.

Sensor
 

Ive heard that there is a kit avalible through gm parts to eliminate it with an update part to the back of the power steering pump.