Very Stiff When Turning (The Taco not Me!) [SOLVED]

Hey gang, I finally got my baby (2013 TRD Sport) and have been driving it since Saturday.

I noticed that its very stiff and almost choking + lots of shaking and slipping when I try to turn at low speed or from stopping in 1st and 2nd gears (manual tranny). It has a custom suspension, extra high (like I used to get in my younger days) and Im wondering if it could be from that? Im also on shitty all seasons now just waiting for Costco to call me when the new winters are in.

Anyone have similar issues? My mechanic didnt see anything wrong during the safety check (Ontario requirement) before I got it plated. Im going back there this weekend for regular maintenance stuff and ill get him to take a closer look. Also seems clutch is kind of high, maybe it was owned by a little person before me? not sure if its related.

All in all Im loving it so far and cant wait for the winters so i can really give 'er (we already have about 20cm [about 7 1/2 inches for my Amurican friends] where I am).

Cheers!

Vala

 

What lift kit do you have?

 

Not sure to be honest it was an auction buy from another province. I know its air suspension at the back but I dont think thats related. Ill try to get in there and take a photo or two.

 

With the steering, look at the upper steering shaft

 

May want to look at the joint on the lower intermediate steering shaft.
Lots have had issues with it rusting.

 

He is correct, that is what I meant
It has some what of a U-joint on it and it gets crusty fast
Sometimes your return steering will get effected

 

And sometimes the steering will lock mid turn.

OP, follow the steering shaft under the hood and you'll see a small U joint. Soak it with a spray lube. If there's a significant difference, replace the lower intermediate shaft before the steering starts to actually lock up for an adrenaline boost you really don't want.

Ask me how I know

 

I think he's talking about the tires scrubbing across the pavement when turning

 

Sounds like it’s in 4HI

 

I too think he has it in 4X4 High. If so stop and put it in 2 WD.

 

Kind of what it sounds like to me too?
But you’d think there’d be that annoying 4x4 light we hear about all the time?

 

Auction truck... no guarantee any of the dash lights work.

 

Maybe he doesn’t know anything about trucks and it was shipped in 4HI. Or he flipped it into 4HI trying to change the defroster setting by accident.

 

Maybe?

 

Thanks everyone, I was talking to a buddy at the dog park last night and he figured it out. Pure noob mistake and yes it was H4 lol. I'm a first time truck driver so had no idea theyre not great at balancing the 4x4 load. Switched to H2 and she is turning like butter

This was a dealer auction and I had a post sale inspection done both in Alberta and in Toronto after so the truck *should* be good. I also had my mechanic look it over for safety and the only issue he didnt like was the high clutch.

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice!!

Attached pics of front and back lift as best I could in case anyone is curious.

Cheers!

 

how long did you drive it in 4-wheel drive for?

 

just around a parking lot a bit and on the road from home to dog park (about 10km) when it was clear and about 50km on snowy / slushy road. its seems fine now. Should i be looking out for something specific?

 

You’ll be fine. The transfer cases and gears on these trucks are tough.

 

Thanks for the advice guys ill make sure to only do 4H when im in the deep end of Ontario's beautiful weather

Cheers!