Steering problem

It sounds like the u joint that they replaced is binding and needs to be removed and put back in right. This would cause what you are feeling in the steering wheel and if it is done poorly enough it can turn into a steering failure so I would suggest not driving it and calling the company to get it fixed right.

 

I would strongly suggest you stop somewhere safe out of traffic, flip the hood, and take a good look at everything. You do not want to be driving if your steering is compromised. Slowly turn the steering shaft back and forth (engine running) and watch all components carefully, from the shaft, through the box, the pitman arm, drag link, tie rod ends, the connecting rod running over to the passenger side and the king pins. You don't have to know what each of these terms mean, just follow the movement all the way down to the wheels. There should be almost no slop or play anywhere, if you see a place where your turning the steering shaft seems to stop and not carry on through to the wheels, that's bad. I have a suspicion that the heavy feeling may be coming from an improperly installed u joint, but that will be verified by the shop your going to. For now, safety is the big concern. Check everything, including wheel nuts and hubs. If you have any doubts something is not right, do not drive it. This is not something to fool with.

 

Yeah what he said but to add to this, if it is a u joint binding, then you can't see it. It has to be removed and either taken out and put back in right or adjusted to free it up, any mechanic will know what to do.

 

All steering shaft u-joints do not necessarily align together on both ends of the same shaft as a driveshaft. Compare it to another truck if in doubt.

 

Its not an alignment problem but it is an install problem. You can do this with u joints in a car too, beat them into the yoke and not relieve the pressure and they are very stiff and bind.

 

Agree with Ridgeline. I changed one on my truck put it together in a vise. Noticed it swiveled easy one way but hard the other. Installed it anyway thinking it would "work in". The steering wheel would turn easy-hard-easy-hard. Didn't even bother trying to drive. Took it apart and got it loosened up,reinstalled,all good. Curious what they found on yours ewv?