Rear steering GM trucks

[rattlecanpaint]

I was following one of these the other day and got to thinking about doing that to my Yota. The GM truck has a steering rack on the rear axle. My first thought was "I bet it's a pain in the ass to add diff fluid to it." My second thought was "How does it work? Does it have a steering column that runs back there or is it just hydraulic?" Anyone know? Also did they narrow the frame back there so the tires don't rub or does it not steer that far?

 

[rockmafia]

I think it uses some type of screw actuator. It does not turn very much compared to the front. It's computer controled. It was a big flop for GM, they only sold the chevys with it for about a year, and will most likely be a huge problem down the road for anyone that owns one.

 

[Blkvoodoo]

It uses a VERY EXPENSIVE stepper motor and logic controller.
The diff cover is a PITA to remove because of the steering rack.
The unit is really not all that strong. the tierods are no bigger than the average persons index finger ( easy to bend) and the rack will not really handle much abuse.
The logic controller is set up to read of the vehicle ECm for speed and steering input.
All in all, the unit is a PITA in stock form, would probably be worse as an add on.
The stock axle is based off a D60, but many of the parts will not swap ( what I was told when it came out, how true, I do not know and which parts, I do not know) The steering knuckles have cast in stops to limilt travel, as do the knuckle "C's"

the frame is standard issue, the bed sides are flared about half the space of a dually, ( you will notice they have marker lights fore and aft of the wheel )

YES , it was a flop, only because of the cost involved ( $5000 option when initially offered, dropped to $2500, then later dropped all together)

THey have had problems, mostly water intrusion into the controller, causing it to fail safe and lock in the stright ahead position.

 

[rattlecanpaint]

It uses a VERY EXPENSIVE stepper motor and logic controller.
The diff cover is a PITA to remove because of the steering rack.
The unit is really not all that strong. the tierods are no bigger than the average persons index finger ( easy to bend) and the rack will not really handle much abuse.
The logic controller is set up to read of the vehicle ECm for speed and steering input.
All in all, the unit is a PITA in stock form, would probably be worse as an add on.
The stock axle is based off a D60, but many of the parts will not swap ( what I was told when it came out, how true, I do not know and which parts, I do not know) The steering knuckles have cast in stops to limilt travel, as do the knuckle "C's"

the frame is standard issue, the bed sides are flared about half the space of a dually, ( you will notice they have marker lights fore and aft of the wheel )

YES , it was a flop, only because of the cost involved ( $5000 option when initially offered, dropped to $2500, then later dropped all together)

THey have had problems, mostly water intrusion into the controller, causing it to fail safe and lock in the stright ahead position.

I expected no less than a PITA to work on and relatively unreliable from GM. (I was definately NOT going to just try to find one to bolt on.) My idea was to use a stock Toyota front axle, with maybe a tacoma rack, but the problem I had was how to get it to turn and with power assist. I guess I could run P/S lines back there and then find a motor of some sort to turn the shaft. I just figured using a rack would be stabler at highway speeds than just a hydraulic ram. I figured I'd use IFS hubs to get the wheels out a bit further and then limit the sweep by adding material to the stock stops.

Anyway, It's a good thought, maybe one day I'll give it a try. Thanks for the info!