2020 AT4 HD Steering Wobble Fix: Installing what GM should have

[@LawrenceTolman]

did a nice road trip with the 2020 today with the stabilizer in place, and I've gotta say it definitely makes a difference. I don't think its the end all solution, but it helps.

[@mattward330]

I run the Bilstein on my 13 Denali leveled on 35s with 2" wheel spacers and the positive pressure really helps. I ran Rough Country stabilizer(also no positive pressure) before the Bilstein. Bilstein was definitely an upgrade.

[@whatsBF3]

I've redone a few leveled or lifted trucks with assisted steering where it wondered at different speeds simply because sensors weren't recalibrated on truck after the alignment was done

[@crooked308]

What rancho steering damper part number did you use purchase I can't seem to find the one that will let me get full steering range

[@adrianacosta1578]

Yea😊lll❤l❤pl

[@adamaroy2354]

The only real steering issue I’ve noticed with my 21 GMC 2500 is that the steering wheel will change its orientation while driving straight. If I’m driving under 60 mph it will be roughly at the 11 o’clock position but as soon as I speed up to 70-75 it will move to the 1-2 o’clock position. I was told by the dealership this is normal 2500/3500 steering behavior?

[@BadmunkyWRX]

I did this on my 2015 2500 and loved it! I did the Bilstein damper first and that came right back off!! It made the truck always pull to the right like you thought it might. Its a good damper but like you said its not designed to be used solo, its meant for a dual stabilizer set up. I swapped out to the same Rancho damper you installed and loved it. I was running 20s that where a little wider than stock, (about flush with the body) and a little larger that stock (34s) and this for sure stopped the tug and pull in the wheel over small bumps. But honestly even stock my truck did that. I never leveled or lifted my truck, to me these things are already to tall. I did end up having to replace both my idler arm and my pitman arm as well as the idle arm mount around 40k. All these parts had play in them and the steering had gotten very loose at that point. I took the truck in for an alignment and was told all these parts where shot. I tried to add a brace kit to the new parts made by Kryptonite but it smashed in to the steering damper when mounted. So I had to pick one or the other. So I dropped the upgraded brace kit for the pitman arm and idler arm and kept the steering damper. I still have these parts as they would not take them back since I did try installing them. If you would like to make a video on this and why they dont work let me know. I can send them to you. Ill be doing the damper kit right away on my new 22 if it ever get s built!

[@krislay5695]

I installed one on my 2019 after I put larger tires on my stock 20s. Love it. Installed at 45k and I now have 100k on the truck no issues.

[@brandongehrt4703]

LT I installed a Rancho steering stabilizer on my 03 Avalanche 2500 8.1L 4WD that is stock height and has stock size A/T tires. Installation was a breeze, the bracket was already there from the factory but none of the 2500 Avalanches were equipped with the stabilizer. The reason I'm commenting is that the Rancho part worked great, for about 15K, mostly street-driven miles and then the steering seemed noticeably more sloppy. I checked everything out and narrowed it down to the stabilzer so I replaced it with the Bilstein 5100 part and it was now tighter than ever. Maybe I got a flawed part, but I would go the Bilstein route again. Good luck, love the channel and the projects, keep up the excellent work!

[@mansourmansour1714]

Thank you for welding it, even my OCD started kicking in when I initially saw you installing the two piece bracket!

[@troyg3439]

That twitch you can feel in the steering wheel on straight roads sounds exactly like the feeling I'd get in my 2012 chevy cruze electric steering. GM had a software update to fix this on that car.

[@daneh8434]

I've had the Bilstein on my 2016 2500 along with the SuspensionMAXX bracket for nearly 4 years and it is does NOT cause a pull. The stabilizer helped eliminate the constant fine adjustments at highway speeds.

[@patrickpauls3186]

Great video! Thank you! Just put Fox 2.0s and upgraded to a 295/60 Ridge Grappler on stock wheels and ride height. Can say I have noticed the wandering myself and this is just what I need to see. As for your steering wheel “clunk”…I had that too, took in and described it. There is TSB out for that and they replace the steering column, no more clunk. Thought I would pass that nugget along!!

[@LawrenceTolman]

you'll have to check the video I just posted an hour or so ago, I just threw on the new steering shaft!

[@CraftwerksMC]

LT, I found out similarly on the Bilstein 5100 stabilizer. I was just fortunate in the fact that I called he guys at Bilstein and they told me about that issue and that it would have the result you talked about. Definitely an annoyance over time driving.

[@elcaminomant]

Can confirm the Bilstein causes a slight pull in the steering in a 2012 Denali HD so good choice going with a non-pressurized unit instead.

[@randallreveal1701]

I think I'll try that stabilizer on mine. And I'm very interested in the other suspension upgrades you mentioned. Keep the awesome content coming!

[@teaguegearhart9851]

So nice. I need a Chevy. And maybe a good mechanic just like you. Looked fun to work on.

[@sgtmiki_]

I think the stabilizer is a necessity with larger wheels and tires, the factory setup was only intended for OEM size tires. The extra rotating mass and increased traction cause a substantial increase in feedback and wear on the steering. The stabilized reduces the abuse on the other parts.

[@anthonyz7538]

My 2015 2500 duramax front end and shocks were trash from day one. Had to rebuild everything Moog, bilstein, and added the stabilizer at 60k miles. I “offroad” to dirtbike trails like 20 times a year and run my truck completely stock. This truck has been awesome besides the front end.

[@Metalwolf765]

I went with a Kryptonite ultimate front end kit for my lml and it’s been great with a level and 34” Grabbers. Still looking at dampers for the trails, and I looked at that bilstein. Don’t know it it makes a huge difference, but good to know, thanks!

[@tdsilverado7470]

Nice work LT, I'm glad you welded that bracket, It needed to be, Just say-n. LOL

[@LawrenceTolman]

Yup, I feel so much better about it being welded

[@erichildreth7562]

These do make a difference and this look like an easy straight forward install. Great video and thanks for sharing!! :)

[@LawrenceTolman]

yup, for sure it was an easy install

[@blake8297]

Shew, touchy subject with those steering stabilizers.... People will argue about them for days on forums.

[@sbc8629]

I had noise in my steering column at one point. It would only make noise driving straight and with little to no movement in the steering wheel. After months of fighting with the dealership it was finally resolved, ended up being the wheel position sensor on the column that was squeaking and rubbing. Drove me insane.

[@bonecrrusherSS]

I have that 5100 on my LLY - and it drives straight as can be - no push back as your thinking.

[@joshnolastname407]

A little more negative camber will help also. But wide tires tend to wiggle in the ruts of the road

[@davidroberts3692]

Don’t feel bad, i had a new 1976 Olds Cutlass Supreme and had the same problem. Monty Carlos had the steering stabilizer. I got one from JC WHITNEY, and it made a huge difference!

[@MWR-lg9qp]

I would paint that Rancho silver and put a black boot on it. My OCD would not allow me to have two different "looking" items. Great video, thanks.

[@xiong2moua]

I put 35s on my 2020 2500HD and my truck drove a bit loose. Not sure if loose is the right term, but the truck feels a bit more difficult to roll straight on the freeway. Alignment is fine. I have it done when I installed the tires. I put stock tire back on it went away. I will have to try this out. Thanks.

[@cutty-mg3kf]

1 time for the algorithm. Keep it up LT! 👍

[@westcoast6162]

If u have a 2011 2500hd is a 6.0 2wd and it wobbles when u brake, fix your center link and get a steering stabilizer! Huge difference!!

[@diyitall2023]

Man I got a 2024 2500 and I thought i was the only one that felt like the steering wonders...it's makes me nervous when I'm going highway speeds...I think this kit should work for me too

[@thesquirrel6141]

I'm running a newer 2500 HD and thought I was going crazy. It feels like a worn out steering at 55-65 on the highway. It's super floaty. I'll be trying this fix soon.

[@TurtlDrip]

Electronic variable steering assist has been used as long ago as the gmt400s. Many people delete the EVO system.

[@danhambrick6331]

Chevrolet probably saved a bit of money by deleting that stabilizer.😂😂

[@lb7wade518]

I need to add to my 2021!! Stock 20” wheels! I think the stabilizer helps save front end parts!! I think GM. adds and takes stuff away on there trucks just so you will bring them to the dealer!!

[@terryjohnson2682]

About Da- - time !!!

[@jeffwilliams5619]

My 03 1500HD was like that. I noticed my dads duramax had one. I looked under mine & the brackets were there, so I ordered a steering stabilizer for a Duramax & it went right in.

[@WattsGemini323]

Not often a 1500hd gets talked about i seen one at my service center here in torrance ca

[@jeffwilliams5619]

@@WattsGemini323 haha it was a great truck. 6.0, 8 lugs axles. I sold it for a '13 Ram Cummins

[@jewllake]

Looks great! I think it might just be the tires causing the floaty feeling. On my 2018 Crew cab 4x4 1500 Sierra I went from the 275 55 20 to some 275 60 20 cooper tires at3. They are great tires and I've had them on my other truck, 2006 GMC Yukon, but on the Sierra it just feels a little less precise. It could be the slightly thinner contact patch. I can even feel the ass end move around a little more.

[@ericmerriman1055]

2024 Denali Ultimate has the same issues, very floaty with 35s and Bilstien 5100s. I thought it was a bad install but it appears to be a GM problem. Little bit upsetting because my F150 drove like a dream and now I have a 8K Floater on the highway.

[@mrsillyname]

Rancho makes a 7000 steering stabilizer that has the brushed stainless body and look very similar to the 5100, just don''t put the Rancho sticker on it and you'll never know. That's what I did on both my 2001 ram and 1995 wrangler. Cheers!

[@LawrenceTolman]

Thanks for the info!

[@birddog79]

Just a suggestion but you could get a black boot and paint the dampener a flat black. Then maybe it wouldn’t bug you🤷‍♂️

[@LawrenceTolman]

thats a good point

[@myrondesjarlait9752]

@@LawrenceTolman but I would put comments stated in a ghostly voice... "You know your stabilizer iz different". 😂🤣😂🤡

[@donslick8464]

You should take a look at the kryptonite front end and steering components, I replaced everything on my 17 one ton Duramax and it was money well spent.

[@the_truck_farmer]

Sorry for the warranty issues LT. It’s sad that so many industries (like automotive) care more about profits than producing quality and standing behind their products. What’s more it’s now an industry standard to deny/abdicate any issues (that don’t kill people anyways) so no one manufacturer rises above the others…I have a 2021 Ram and I’m terrified for whenever I have my first warranty claim…I can’t afford to pay a dealer repair labor rates When my truck payment as a small mortgage in and of itself…

[@greggoett]

The backspacing on your new wheels are probably pushing the king pin centerline and the wheel centerline off. Not sure where the stock intersection of the 2 centerlines is, but pretty sure the new wheel offset is screwing with that.. Offset, and wheel diameter are critical. My 86 stock, 4x4, F250.. if I put it up on ramps.. I'd reach up,

[@Volfan812]

Do you think the leveling kit caused your idler arm and pitman arm to wear out prematurely? 41K miles isn't alot of miles and I would think the idler and pitman arm should last longer than that. I had a 2015 2500HD with a 7" Rough Country lift. I traded that truck in for my 2021 2500HD and it had 89k miles on it at the time and the steering was still tight with no worn components.

[@allencobbs4047]

Like all your content even the Ford Like what you do Watch you on TV to We are waiting for IDA to pass

[@TheExplorerAlbum]

Do you have a part number on that bilstein 5100 stabilzer shock? Great video. About to level my truck with the suspensionmaxx kit

[@TheFoxygrandpa69]

Have you upgraded tie-rods? You should grab a pair of those for peace of mind. I know you don't do a lot of off road stuff. But if you ever do. It'd be nice to not worry.

[@TSMTHECLAN]

Having the same problem with my 1500 2019 new body style, do you think this would work ?

[@MrTollbrother]

Lawrence - What wheel / tire combo are /were you running?

[@dhallster1078]

It's the POS Nitto Trail Grapplers. Mine did the same thing, switched to Toyo's, problem solved.

[@LawrenceTolman]

I had never considered that, but you may be onto something

[@TheMotorman80]

@@LawrenceTolman I had death wobble on my 2006 Dodge 2500 Cummins. I did everything… steering stabilizer , frame brace, upgraded steering linkage, bilstein 5100’s and new ball joints. The death wobble went away mostly but still came back. I put Toyo’s on it after and it went away!🤦🏼‍♂️ Turned out to be the tires causing most of it!

[@nilejuneau1972]

Hey awsome info thanks . Just on the tooic of chevy steering . Just got me thinking if their was a fix for the “ loose steering on the early silverados “

[@jwitt52]

I have the same plastic ramps and have been to chicken to pull my diesel up on them even though it says it’s rated for weight.

[@hinkhausr]

Even in my 1500 suburban with a little bite of an oversized tire my steering does the same just like bounces around ever so much and off road you can feel the tires being pushed side to side by ruts. I know tie rods need changed but i might try this before just to see if it helps the bad tie rods.

[@Stuckofftherealness]

Why didn’t you just get the stabilizer maxx stabilizer to go with the mounting kit and if I’m not mistaken they don’t pressure up like the bilsteins. It’s similar to the rancho

[@Xxjoker21xX]

Need to POR that Rusting Suspension parts before they get bad! and Tac weld the Split side of the Adapter!

[@jasonrichard2536]

Did you have to dremel out the hole for the sleeve?

[@user-jp7om2cj3z]

I thought you get the steering staiblizer only with the Z71 PACKAGE Bbut the 4x4 doesn't come with the steering staiblizer

[@matthewbaumann4600]

Look into " cognito pitman idler arm support kit "

[@allencobbs4047]

Keep the videos coming thanks

[@LawrenceTolman]

You bet

[@mikedwyer2887]

Digital steering assist has been available since 2016.

[@johnboticki9154]

That bracket would privably be fine with just the one bolt thru it. Don't sweat the two piece washer.

[@LawrenceTolman]

you are right, it would probably be fine, but I just can't help myself

[@mikelangan2707]

Hahaha, I figured you would weld that together.

[@larze36]

Just tried installing same on my 2020 and am having trouble getting the shock bolt which is tapered, to fit into the steering arm far enough to get the bolt on the other side. It will start to thread but not far enough to put the cotter pin through the castle but. Suggestions and what did you do at that point?

[@thecableguy1128]

My 2021 hd has play in the steering and while turning left I feel a knock in the steering wheel. Gm replaced a shaft in the steering column and did not fix it. I just bought it back and they changed the gear box. Gave it back to me with the steering wheel clocked to the right and shaking back and forth. I went back and they kept it for a week rotating the wheels for nothing. Then Gm sent a new software update. It still shakes and now knocks in the steering wheel both left and right. Service has been absolutely shit at this dealership. Now they are ordering a replacement gearbox again. The first one is discontinued but they found it somewhere else. Now I get to drive it for 1 to 2 months while they find out how to get the new one.

[@1234567890CAB]

Can you try the Bilstein stabilizer and see if you can notice any difference?

[@skittlecar1]

Are you sure it's not something to do with the lane assist? If it even has it.

[@LawrenceTolman]

no lane assist on this one

[@andrewreyes5308]

Can I do this to my 2018 Silverado 1500 (gasser)?

[@jameshall4385]

If the two piece washer bothers you, you can always hit it with the tig and solve the problem.

[@christopherdalley411]

Any plans on replacing that plastic gas door?

[@martech360]

I have a bone stock brand new 2023 AT4 2500HD & at 60-73MPH I get a shake/vibration in the steering wheel consistent with an unbalanced wheel that is driving me crazy. GM of course saying nothing is wrong & can’t find anything. Somebody please help!

[@SteveNicholson-tk2se]

Dude i have OCD bad and regular shit like this kills me when stuff os differnt im the same i like everything to match

[@Aaronferguson31]

Thanks for pronouncing Bilstein( Bill Stine) right

[@frankdodson3534]

Just pick a color and paint the Rancho stabilizer shock it'll be fine only you will know

[@Upracefan]

The steering feels different due to the offset of the wheels.

[@divadyrdnal]

I have a single Bilstein steering stabilizer (and shocks) on my superduty…does not pull on my truck.

[@LawrenceTolman]

I've read it both ways, some guys say they have a slight pull, others say its fine.

[@leonelgarcia3605]

Does anyone know the rancho part number?

[@timothykidd1744]

2YRS old and rancho was already worn out?

[@LawrenceTolman]

Oh yeah, lots of people complain about the stock ranchos

[@markraouf6976]

dude you need more Caster

[@teddymullins3706]

Does your truck have the 4l80e

[@LawrenceTolman]

the 2020? no, that has a GM 10L1000 10-speed automatic.

[@bdugle1]

Let the gas out of the Bilstein?

[@ChevySS1968]

Late model GM trucks need too much work and cost too much money. I've been a GM guy for many years, but they are losing me. The new stuff is crappy quality, inside and out. The AFM lifters are blowing all the time. It's just awful. They took a great line of trucks and made them suck.

[@edjackson4389]

They have sucked since 2010 in my opinion. Too many failures inside and out on the 4X4 2500 and 3500. Way before 100k miles

[@undnrchevys4810]

LOL, This is the last time I do '.......' Till next time...

[@wadethomas6952]

I see is it's your truck makes it better to drive I'm all for that and I'm upgrade better parts

[@craigflatley7370]

👍

[@dumbestoyster]

Paint the Rancho silver

[@LawrenceTolman]

that would work

[@fredproctor6973]

There's that ocd acting up again. Lol

[@DreamcastQ]

GM bean-counters probably got promotions for a buck there!

[@Three6GMC]

Man I have 37s on my at4 hd and don’t have any of these issues. Guess just lucky

[@LawrenceTolman]

I also wonder if the wheel offset makes a difference, I know your 37s are on stock wheels and mine are on a -24

[@Three6GMC]

@@LawrenceTolman true, yours would have more leverage for the wheel to pull side to side. Still not a bad idea to add a stabilizer. I actually have just about every part Kryptonite makes for these trucks sitting in boxes ready to go on just need the time

[@greggoett]

Propper wheel backspacing.

[@jasonclark625]

Ya. I don’t have any of these problems that your talking about with a -19 offset with 35’s. Drives strait as it was stock. I would be checking tire balance. Just my opinion .hope all is well

[@leaventhomas4617]

Did you use a lift kit or level kit.

[@Plourdes-adventure]

Loaded you would feel it more

[@qxr20]

that rancho is junk, bilstein is better. Not having pressure means cavitation on the inital hit, also both of them will be stiffer in one direction as the shaft will further pressurize the chamber, a thru shaft steering stabalizer is the only way! Look into it... if youre into really accurate steering...

[@bigbeef8935]

your tires will cause a lot of your issues also just fyi

[@bigbeef8935]

U cheaped and use Ranchos garbage? Damm dude you’ll regret that

[@javaloots696]

bilstein better..

[@hugoseguin8040]

So basically you're modifying a truck way out off spec and it doesnt do what it should anymore and you're asking GM to fix it? . Ford and dodge both have stablizer because they are still using solid front axle and gm isnt.

[@LawrenceTolman]

no, not asking GM to fix anything here, and yeah, I understand that modifying your suspension will make it work differently than when it was stock. I just want to make it work how I feel it should, and yeah, Ford and Ram use a solid axle, but from 2001 to 2010 they did use a stabilizer on their IFS HD trucks, so I figured why not.

[@terryjohnson2682]

Talking to much

[@craigflatley7370]

👍