UPDATE:
I pulled the trailer and have driven city/highway without and the steering is right as rain. So far so good in all departments. Winter is almost here so let’s hope she maintains this track record for a long time!
AK-4EVER.
I see that some of these comments about the jerking in the turning of your 1998 Chevy pickup truck. I know that some of these comments where posted along time ago, but I too had the same issue, and I too replaced just about everything on my truck, from the tires, shocks, pitman arm, ball joints, and pretty much any other thing I could thing of. I pretty much had only one thing left the steering box, after replacing the steering box it took care of all my problems. I know each truck can be a little different, but as I said I replaced anything I could think of with no help, until then. Hope this helps good luck.
Hi, I own the 1998 Silverado Z71 4wd with 164k miles. Since purchase in 98, I've never experienced loud noises like this before. The loud noise sounds like coming from differential. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. The truck runs great, but the faster I go, the louder the noise.
I took the truck to the dealer and flushed out the differential front and rear axles lubrication, and the noise still there. Any ideas?
Thanks.
I have a 1998 Chevy Silverado 4x4 with 103,000 miles. I've babysat it well, although lately the electric fuel pump is extremely loud! The sound that it makes when I turn the key on (as it's priming itself) is the sound it makes continually while it's running. It never stops screaming. When I had the truck inspected lately, the man at the inspection station said they all do that! Well, mine hasn't! Does everyone else's do this? By the way, mine starting screaming continuously at 99,000 miles! Lentz464@aol.com.
I have owned my 1998 K1500 4X4 since Feb 2006, (Love my Truck) and my fuel pump too has been whining away for these past 2 years and I too was told this is somewhat normal, but I also was told that this is the first sign that your pump is failing. I have yet to heed that advice, and probably will procrastinate until I am left on the road, and then I will fix it.
My issue is I can only fill my tank up 1/2 way because of a fuel leak, so I will need a pump, tank and the typical sending unit all told of about $700.00 p/l. So until I have the extra cash, we'll see how far this pump allows me to go.
I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada and I want to buy a 1997 Z-71 but it has 152,000 miles on it. I guess my question is how much longer will this truck last before its going to need major repairs? Thanks for your time!
In response to the owner of the '98 Silverado with 103,000 miles and a loud fuel pump. I wouldn't get to concerned just yet. I agree that for the most part all of these trucks do that. I've had my '98 since it was new in '97 and first noticed that mine was starting to get loud around 2000 or 2001. I was a little nervous, but I just figured I would drive it until it finally gave out. Well here it is 7 years later and still going strong. Mine has 108,000 well cared for miles on it and I really like it although I have had my share of maintenance headaches which I have posted on this site. I do believe that with over 100,000 miles we are both on borrowed time, but I will deal with that problem when it arises.
I have a 98 z71 with 84,000 miles I also have a jerking in the steering and it seems to get worse in colder weather. Did the sensor replacement alone fix any ones problem? Also when the temp outside gets above 45 the truck will stall usually when not under a load like when you let off the gas to turn a corner or come to a stop. Sometimes it dies completely, but most of the time it only stalls for a second and the check Eng light comes on. The dealer said the only code they found was some sort of mass air flow trouble. I do have a cold air filter kit form K&N and the problem started after I cleaned the filter and re-oiled it. I have had to replace one fuel injector (number5) and have the other 7 cleaned, the intake gaskets (front and rear) replaced due to leaking coolant in the past two years. I now also have a leak in the ac. Anyone have these problems?
In response to the stalling problem. It is very likely a result of your K&N filter. The oil on the filter will continue to cause problems. In Canada there is a service bulletin warning of this problem and it can go as far as taking out the transmission (as a result of malfunctioning sensors).
I have a 98 Chevy Z71 with about 70K on it. I love this truck and have read with interest all of the comments on this site. Thank you to all who contributed!
I have the steering "jerk" problem and this is the first site to address it. I will try replacing the sensor first, then go from there.
Last summer, my 4WD suddenly stopped engaging. The indicator light on the 4WD switch flashes when I try to engage either 4Hi or 4Lo. Any ideas? A friend suggested it could be the actuator. Is that a do-it-yourself item? I can do pretty basic repairs myself.
The last question is regarding a coolant leak. I replaced the water pump a couple of years ago (because it was leaking) and that fixed the problem. Now there is a very slow leak that I am having trouble tracing. I have been told by a mechanic that the water pump is fine. I've read about the intake manifold gasket going bad. What do you think?
Thank you in advance for your help. I love my truck and want to be confident that it is running its best.
Truckee Gal.
I have more of a question than a comment.
I have a 1998 Chev Z71 with a 350 Vortec. The truck has a spark knock to it. I am trying to figure out how to time up the truck. I can do the work myself, unless I need special tools.
I am also wondering how I would know if the distributer wasn't dropped in the motor right?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I to have a 1998 2wd that use to have the same jerking problems. Come to find out, it was the power steering pump. I replaced it and no more problems. Just a suggestion. Now I have to deal with sloppy steering problems. Don't really know if I should start with the gear box or something else. Any suggestions would be great.
Chevytruckluver.
I have a question... I have a 1998 Z71 that is "kicking-back" when it's turned over. It'll spin over a few times and then make a noise like it's jumped timing, but it hasn't...it actually broke the tip off of the starter..twice! It did this about 2 weeks ago, but cranked-up and has ran great until this episode! It's holding great fuel pressure and holds about 40+lbs of oil pressure dropping to around 25 when stopped... it also has 280k on it and has never used a drop of oil or burned any... does anyone have a clue as to what this could be or what I should check into replacing? nellanad@ec.rr.com.
I have the same problem. Check the link out below. I am going to look at cap and rotor then take to get stored codes read at local mechanic... if it starts :( Good luck!!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?p=2590143
1998 Silverado 140000 miles, 350 Vortec.
I also have a 1998 Z71 4x4. I bought it from a friend who took great care of it. It was 5years old and had only 30,000 on it.
I also love this truck and have decided to drive it into the ground rather than buy new. It now has 96,000.
At about 35,000 I had the steering problem and took it to my mechanic of many years. He fixed it by replacing the sensor on the steering column. (At much more than $70.00) His explanation was that the sensor allows the steering pump to freewheel or something at high speeds when you are not going to turn allowing for better fuel economy. Anyway it fixed it.
I have had another very intermittent problem with starting during damp weather only early in the morning or first start of the day. It will fire and run for a second or two and then die. It will continue to do so on each try and then after about 20 to 30 minutes it just starts as normal and I am good to go. Changed about everything in the ignition system. It just comes and goes. Not every time its damp.
My latest problem is with a check engine light which the codes are sometimes O2 sensors and sometimes Mass air flow sensor. I am thinking that I will start with the catalytic converter. This goes hand in hand with a big decrease in fuel economy. Does anyone know what the voltage is suppose to be to the MAF sensor?