Steering issues w/ UCA's

[TE!]

Hey Guys,

Long time member and just upgraded my 2011 TE Non KDSS for a 2016 TEP Non KDSS. I tried searching the forum and google search to see if I can get any ideas on my issue but have not had any luck.

I just had my 2016 TEP (300 miles) lifted with a 3' OME lift and ICON UCA's almost identical setup as my 2011, the 2011 drove great and never had any issues (I did have TC UCA's on the 2011 and a front bumper).

My issue on the 2016 Non KDSS is my steering is not returning back to neutral after turning and you have to manually turn the wheel back straight. My alignment sheet shows 3.1 caster and took it to the shop that installed the lift and they state everything is fine. I do have the TRD skid plate installed also, don't know if that is causing the issue. Any ideas on what could be causing the issue with the steering? Has anyone else run into this before? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[skott]

I'm not sure about the lift, but check your lower ball joints. A friend's 4Runner (granted it was a '96) had a similar issue where steering wouldn't return to center and it ended up being a ball joint binding that later broke. The ball joint was binding so much it was creating enough resistance to not allow the steering to recenter. Luckily it broke when only going about 20mph. I know it's a new truck, but maybe the ball joint was damaged during the lift install (big hammers pounding on it). Not sure if a normal ball joint check would reveal the problem, though. Maybe jack both front wheels off the ground and try turning the wheels left to right (mimicking turning the steering wheel) and see if it feels unusually stiff.

 

[WhiskeyMikeTango]

Hey Guys,

Long time member and just upgraded my 2011 TE Non KDSS for a 2016 TEP Non KDSS. I tried searching the forum and google search to see if I can get any ideas on my issue but have not had any luck.

I just had my 2016 TEP (300 miles) lifted with a 3' OME lift and ICON UCA's almost identical setup as my 2011, the 2011 drove great and never had any issues (I did have TC UCA's on the 2011 and a front bumper).

My issue on the 2016 Non KDSS is my steering is not returning back to neutral after turning and you have to manually turn the wheel back straight. My alignment sheet shows 3.1 caster and took it to the shop that installed the lift and they state everything is fine. I do have the TRD skid plate installed also, don't know if that is causing the issue. Any ideas on what could be causing the issue with the steering? Has anyone else run into this before? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Totally normal. Once the uniballs break in it will return to normal operation.

 

[wfo9]

Totally normal. Once the uniballs break in it will return to normal operation.

I guess that is possible, never experienced it myself. Maybe throw some dry lube on the uniball...

 

[WhiskeyMikeTango]

I guess that is possible, never experienced it myself. Maybe throw some dry lube on the uniball...

You can, it won't change anything. On my Tacoma the icon uniballs were insanely tight. I could make a U Turn and if I didn't straighten the wheel the truck would just turn in circles. After a thousand miles or so it was back to normal operation. The Total Chaos on my 4Runner were higher effort but definitely not as bad as the Icons.
I believe it has to do with chrome plated vs stainless. My icons made noise constantly. Lube them with Tri Flow. Noise stops. Then comes back hundreds of miles later. Total Chaos feels smoother and makes zero noise. Ive lubed them once during a popping noise diag.