I have some odd steering issues that just all at once popped up after changing my power steering pump.

1. There's the noticeable dead spot between 11 and 1 o'clock. Wasn't there, or at least wasn't as pronounced, as before.
2. The steering wheel used to be dead straight on a flat road and now it points off to the left, approximately at 10-11 o'clock.
3. Major shake when braking on an off ramp.

Now, they happened to show up after replacing the pump, but I also don't see how a pump replacement (I've done several on this truck) would cause any of that.

I noticed that one of the lock nuts on the drag link was loose. The passenger side nut was solid, but the driver side nut was loose. I tightened it up, no change in vibration.

All rubber (bushings, ball joints) suspension components are 10K miles old.

Tires were replaced in 2020 and have about 30% tread left. Definitely cracking and showing their age. I'm wondering if perhaps this is all related to those. Again though, odd that it would all happen at the same time.

Last alignment was 2024. I wonder if that loose nut might've caused something going out of alignment?

 

Whipped tires could cause all those problems, especially if they're badly cupped due to the loose drag link. Have you tried swapping front to rear? Always fun on a hot day

 

Haha, I haven't bothered to swap them yet but know I need to. Will do tomorrow.