Steering gone heavy after upper/lower control arms, tie rods change

[SurferUK]

Over the past couple of days I changed the upper and lower arms and inner and outer tie rods to try and address some knocking and wandering.

The truck drove similarly afterwards, of course it was obvious it needed an alignment but the steering weight felt the same, at least I didn't notice anything different.

I dropped it off this morning for alignment and again didn't notice anything different with the weight of the steering, even when manoeuvring to park out the front.

The shop called me and said the steering was very heavy when trying to turn right. I was thinking "Oh no I've left a tool or something in there and it's jammed" but no it feels more like the PAS just isn't giving much assistance and occasionally dropping out almost completely.

I just can't understand how it happened between me parking at the alignment shop and them pulling it in. I can't accuse them of anything, as these things do happen and it could be coincidence: But I don't know where to start looking into this.

PAS fluid is full and in good condition. I changed it completely when I did the ATF 2 years ago. There are no unusual noises from the PAS pump. I can't hear anything like grinding or resistance from the steering components when turning.

Any advice appreciated, thank you.

 

[Cezar]

Did they do any work or just released it back to you?

 

[SurferUK]

Did they do any work or just released it back to you?

Hi Cezar, while speaking with them on the phone and not really knowing what was going on, I said just get it on the ramps if you can and take a look.

When they phoned later, they said it all aligned/tracked fine so I went to pick it up.

As I was driving it home I realised it wasn't the feeling of something grinding/catching/snagging, but stiff steering (That still feels "smooth").

Perhaps a steering component with increased resistance could mimic failing PAS? I'm not sure.

It's all very strange. I'll have to get it up on jacks tomorrow and at least try it with no weight on the front wheels. With the engine off I might hear something too.

 

[SurferUK]

I might try checking/adjusting the steering rack lash in case the new tracking has caused it to bind.

 

[SocalSam]

Problem with variable assist? Failure mode does not fit but it is worth looking at the solenoid connector and cleaning.

 

[SurferUK]

Problem with variable assist? Failure mode does not fit but it is worth looking at the solenoid connector and cleaning.

Thanks for the idea Sam - this doesn't have variable assist, or traction control, just ABS. It's quite a basic set up. I was hoping that would make it a straightforward job!

 

[rdruss]

Did the shop give you a copy of their alignment numbers? You can check toe and Camber easily enough and caster can be adjusted. Did you install adjustable UCA (like SPC)?

 

[SurferUK]

Did the shop give you a copy of their alignment numbers? You can check toe and Camber easily enough and caster can be adjusted. Did you install adjustable UCA (like SPC)?

Hey Russ, they didn't- they said a printout was left in there, but I never found it. Traffic was so bad I just kept on driving home.

Just standard "like-for-like" parts. Febi Bilstein parts. (Not sure if you guys have them there. They are a good brand of aftermarket parts)

 

[Parks Junkie]

Hey Russ, they didn't- they said a printout was left in there, but I never found it. Traffic was so bad I just kept on driving home.

Just standard "like-for-like" parts. Febi Bilstein parts. (Not sure if you guys have them there. They are a good brand of aftermarket parts)

I've had idler arms, I know, R and P doesn't have them, but still, a part in the system, cause significantly harder steering, short term. My guess, unless it's really hard to turn or past a particular point, is it's just the added friction of new parts. And if you went thru and replaced a bunch of stuff, maybe it just all adds up?

 

[SurferUK]

I've had idler arms, I know, R and P doesn't have them, but still, a part in the system, cause significantly harder steering, short term. My guess, unless it's really hard to turn or past a particular point, is it's just the added friction of new parts. And if you went thru and replaced a bunch of stuff, maybe it just all adds up?

That's the thing, the steering felt normal immediately after changing the parts, and on the drive there, it just felt like it needed alignment.

I know bad tyre camber can cause it, but they haven't touched caster or camber as far as I can tell.

I've now had a chance to get underneath it, and I don't believe they even touched the alignment cams on the lower arms. All that's changed is the tie rod settings as I noted those before changing the old ones, and set the new ones to the same.

I'm wondering if badly adjusted tie rods could cause some binding in the steering rack.

I've booked it in somewhere else tomorrow, where they knew what I wanted without me having to explain about lower arm alignment cams. A bit of a drive but hopefully worth it.

Thanks for your replies everyone.

 

[SurferUK]

Hi everyone, just to give an update that might help someone in future.

The inner tie rods had started to unscrew from the rack! I don't know how as they were done up pretty dang tight and the locking washer tabs bent back over into the recess on the inner tie rod.

So, the steering rack was in fact binding as I thought, but not due to adjustment of the outer tie rods.