Help, Steering Jerk on Sweeping Turns
 

I bought a 99 Suburban 2WD a bit back and on long sweeping right hand turns (never noticed on left turns but off ramps go right and that is where it always happens), the steering wheel reaches a point in the turn (very little off center) where it always jerks further right. It is a bit dangerous as I am cruising at 65 and I know it is coming but it still jerks pretty hard. Sharper turns, normal driving it, etc. it seems fine. Any ideas on what may be causing this? Thanks.

Re: Help, Steering Jerk on Sweeping Turns
 

There is a phenomenon called Tramlining where the vehicle follows grooves/ruts in the pavement.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret....jsp?techid=47

Lower than stock profile tires and wider than stock tires exhibit this behavior because they adversely affect your steering geometry. A good competent alignment tech can compensate somewhat but it will never handle quite the same as stock envelope tires aligned to stock specs.
If you go to a slightly taller and or wider tire that's a factory optional tire size, like I did, it's a good idea to get an alignment with the new tires installed. The tires will last a lot longer and it'll be a lot more pleasant to drive.

With stock size tires you may simply have a problem with your wheel alignment or worn suspension components.
Here's more than you ever wanted to know about wheel alignments and how they affect handling.
https://www.motor.com/magazine-summa...eel-alignment/

A competent shop will always check your suspension bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, pitman arm, idler arm, steering box, etc before doing an alignment. Aligning with worn parts is completely useless. If they tell you something is worn ask to see how they determined it so you can learn to evaluate your suspension and keep ahead of things. That way you can keep it safe to drive. Tell them that's why you're asking so they don't think you're being difficult to deal with. Usually a decent shop will accommodate that.

Ask the service writer for the before and after alignment printout from the Behr or Hunter or ... machine. That's pretty easy to do if they know you want it before starting work.

Re: Help, Steering Jerk on Sweeping Turns
 

I should add that there is a "dead spot" when turning the wheel to the right. I turn about 3" right and then it hits a dead spot for about 1" and then it jerks hard right like it is "catching up to that dead spot" if that makes sense. Suppose if I turn the wheel every inch it turns 5 degrees, it goes 15 degrees smoothly, and then 0 degrees and bam 15-20 instantly in a hard right jerk which is hard to hold onto the steering wheel. Stock wheels/tires, etc. I will check the ball joints, tie rods, etc.

Re: Help, Steering Jerk on Sweeping Turns
 

Steering position sensor is bad. On the column.

Re: Help, Steering Jerk on Sweeping Turns
 

Re: Help, Steering Jerk on Sweeping Turns
 

Definitely the problem, I am going to do the "actuator" mod to delete this setup (basically bypass it at the pump). Read more about it and seems like a terrible design.