Suspension parts

Tiny
HOFFY52
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 4.8L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My wheels shake a bit when driving. I thought it was front end stuff so I bought upper control arms, both sides, lower ball joints, inner outer tie rods pittman arm and idler. I was going to start the work but I do not see the pitman or idler arm anywhere on this truck. I did notice it has a rack and pinion steering on it. Which I did not know because I just bought the truck. Does this vehicle even have those two items since it is a rack and pinion? Next can I use the tie rods I have? Or will they not match up? I feel stupid I assumed it had all these parts.
Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 12:03 PM

25 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
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You will need tie rods for a rack and pinion. I do not know what you bought take the other stuff back cause you do not need it. Auto parts should have realized that when they sold it to you.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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Okay thanks. Some of the tie rod end I have are incorrect? Will the upper control arms work?
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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What do you think the small shaking could be? It basically the front passenger side.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 12:25 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Shaking usually is not suspension parts, it is out of balance or defective tires, bent rim, Damaged hub or bad wheel bearing. When it shakes do you feel it in the steering wheel or in the seat? Do not overlook that it could be bad U-joints or something in the back.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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I feel it in the steering wheel only.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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Since I bought a kit for the front end and it does not use the parts due to me having a rack and pinion. Will the upper control arms work at least?
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 12:42 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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We cannot answer that because we do not know what you have suspension wise. Like I said in previous reply the auto parts guy should have given you the correct stuff to begin with. Take it back and get what you need. All you need is your receipt.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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Okay thanks. I would just assume the control arms would not be different.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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They may not be but normally if it is heavy duty that may be where the difference is because Chevrolet made half tons a couple of different ways.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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No I bout a kit for my truck. 2001 Silverado ls 1500 it said everything fit. But since it's rack and pinion I was hoping just the idler and pitman arm wasn't needed but everything else should fit. But we'll see thanks
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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The correct kit would not have included the idler arm, pitman arm, or the incorrect tie rod ends to fit your truck.
Basically there are 3 versions of the front suspension. Coil spring RWD, torsion bar RWD and torsion bar 4X4. The lower control arms are different between those as are the uppers. Then there are also "problem solver" types that allow for more adjustment range. You need to know exactly what you have to be able to replace the parts.

As for feeling it in the wheel, that is usually front end. Easy test, swap the tires around. Front's to the back. If the shake moves to the seat the tires or rims are the issue. Are these factory rims? No spacers or other items like that?
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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No there not factory. The previous owner put 20" on there with rims.
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 10:30 PM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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This truck has a rack and pinion front end. Coil springs in the front. I don't know what a torsion bar is really
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Thursday, May 11th, 2017 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Okay, the non stock tires and rims could be the issue. Take them to a shop and have them check the balance, run out in both directions and check for broken or damaged belts.

While they are off check over the suspension for loose parts. I am going to bet they are fine.

Okay, the coil spring A arms are different than the other two. As your kit has the pieces for the wrong steering. I would bet the arms are the wrong ones as well. Torsion bars are long chunks of round spring steel. They have a hex shape or splines depending on maker. While a coil spring moves up/down as it flexes, a torsion bar twists. On these trucks the front of the TB goes into a large hex socket on the lower A-arm. The upper arm just guides the steering knuckle. On the coil spring system the lower A-arm has a spring seat in it and the upper A-arm is slightly different than the TB set up because it has to clear the spring.
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Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 12:39 AM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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Okay, thanks so much. I am going to return the entire kit. I was hoping to salvage parts but not going to take the chance. I appreciate all the help I was given.
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Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 5:43 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
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The tires may cause another problem when larger tires are put on they mess up the geometry on the front end of course it depends on how tall they are as well if they are in the 36" tall range you might check into one of the truck magazines for parts to straighten the front end out first because they will wear the hell out of suspension parts fast.
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Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 6:04 AM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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Thank you I will check it all out.
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Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 6:11 AM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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I will send a picture of the underneath so you can tell me for sure what I have.
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Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 6:21 AM
Tiny
HOFFY52
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Here are pictures of my under carriage. Can you tell if I am torsion bar. I have rack and pinion steering. I need to know exactly what version suspension I have to order parts of needed after I do the wheel rotation.
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Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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You have a coil front leaf rear suspension system. With rack and pinion.
But take a close look at the circled area in your picture. That is leftover tape from stick on wheel weights. It looks like you have lost quite a few. First thing I would do is get those tires looked at and re-balanced. Then see if the shake is gone.
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Friday, May 12th, 2017 AT 10:50 AM

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