speed-sensitive steering

[johnbythelake]

What year did Chevy Express Vans get speed-sensitive steering? I have a 1999 van that seems, as of late, to have lost this ability, making high-speed steering more dicey than it used to be. Can they have that ability but lose it?

[MountainManJoe]

Welcome to the forum.
I've never heard of speed sensitive steering. But high speed is when you need power steering the LEAST. If the power steering failed in the highway, you would still be able to steer quite normally.
It's possible you just need a wheel alignment or have worn control arm bushings. Have you replaced the power steering fluid lately? Does the pump whine? Do you lube your steering linkage?

Please post your van model.

[johnbythelake]

"Speed sense steering system does exactly what its name implies. It senses your car’s speed and adjusts the amount of compensation or assistance that it provides to give you the feeling of being in control while steering 100% of the time." According to a Google reply, Express Vans had this added in 2011. Don't know if I agree with that; thought I used to have it??

Mine is a Chevy Express 1500.

[MountainManJoe]

Please post your van year, 2WD or 4WD, a detailed description of the symptoms you are experiencing, and the troubleshooting you've tried. Thanks.

[sixsix]

...I've never heard of speed sensitive steering

Did you mean 'on GM Vans, in general' or what ?

[johnbythelake]

2 WD Chevy Express 1500. When I'm driving at 30 mph, the steering is appropriately sensitive, turning easily. When I'm driving at 75 mph, I seem to have the same sensitivity, and that's not good at that speed. It feels like just the slightest steering adjustment at that speed can turn things too fast. It was my understanding there is something called "speed-sensitive steering" that mitigates that sensitivity at higher speeds.

[MountainManJoe]

OEM size tires?

[johnbythelake]

Uniroyal Laredo 235/75 R15 109T EXTRA LOAD M+S

[MountainManJoe]

Look at your door sticker