Difficulty in steering

[sadbannaz]

Hi Guys, I have a 1995 Tac v6 Extra cab 4wd. I recently added progressive springs to the front. This brought the vehicle up about 2-3" higher. The thing is my steering is a bit tighter than before. And at times I don't feel like I'm in full control of the vehicle steerings. Do anyone have any workable suggestions. I'm not in the US, I'm in South America. So some amount of parts and mechanic is not too available to me.But I'm open to ALL suggestions. Thanks guys

[Janster]

With the lift - did you put bigger wheels/tires on it?

If yes - that can make the steering feel 'stiffer'.

First - I'd inspect your steering knuckles, balljoints, and steering rack. Make sure you don't notice anything 'odd'. Look for any leaks, bad balljoints and/or balljoints that are at max movement (so to speak). Make sure your springs are not coming in contact with anything.

Is this 4WD? Do you have manual hubs or ADD?
If you have ADD - inspect your CV angles. If the CV angles are too bad/high, it'll make steering difficult because of the stresses on tthe CV joints.
If you have manual hubs - are they locked or unlocked? Unlock them and take it for a ride and see if the steering feels better.

Next - check your steering flud. Is there enough in there? Does it smell burnt?
Top off where needed (when cold) and/or do a steering fluid flush.

After that - I'm not exactly sure how you inspect the steering rack itself, but that's yet another possibility to check.

[Jester243]

I don’t know the exact name but here it goes. On my old Chevy the previous owner installed a 3” lift. However the did not do it correctly and every so often I could break the steering box bolts due to the tension. I had a friend look at it who is a mechanic and he changed the arm that mounts to the steering box I wanna say the pitman arm but I am probably wrong. Anyway it put things back in the proper angles and no more problems. Also before the change was made the steering was very tight and would feel like it was binding up.

[-TRDMAN-]

Correct on the pitman are diff sizes change the steering kinda like leverage!!

[Janster]

Tacomas don't have pitman arms.

Pitman arms are on vehicles with solid front axles.

[EAmonkey]

Originally Posted by Janster

Tacomas don't have pitman arms.

Pitman arms are on vehicles with solid front axles.

i had an '89 2wd IFS chevy 1500 with a pitman/idler arm

[mookie]

Originally Posted by Janster

Tacomas don't have pitman arms.

Pitman arms are on vehicles with solid front axles.

IFS vehicles that have center links too. Like '87 - '95 Pathfinders have the ol' pitman - idler arm.

[-TRDMAN-]

Originally Posted by Janster

Tacomas don't have pitman arms.

Pitman arms are on vehicles with solid front axles.

true tacos dont have them however other vehicles w/o solid axels do!!

[JVTACOMA]

Many Toyota "pick-ups" with IFS have them see attached....
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1993/steering/8manua.pdf