Stiff Steering after Icon Stage IV Install

Hi guys, long time lurker but first time poster.

I recently installed an Icon Stage IV suspension kit on my 2011 V6 prerunner.

However, the second I started driving after the install I noticed its hard to steer and when I make deeper turns its sticks in that direction. I have to overcompensate to correct it and return the wheel to the center position Is this normal due to the stiffer springs or no?

Notes: The vehicle has 82,000 miles and the power steering fluid has never been flushed or topped off.

Tires are size 265/75/16 at 35 psi

The power steering fluid is at the minimum when cold.

No visible leaking under the hood nor floor.

The serpentine belt looks fine, no visible cracks.

I did not undo tie rod ends when I installed the suspension.

Alignment was done at the dealership.

What did I do wrong?

 

What are your alignment specs? Did they give you a printout?

 

No I did not get one unfortunately, the advisor said "vaguely" that they could not guarantee a perfect alignment although the tech got it to drive straight.

 

Post a picture of your setup. Maybe you got the upper control arms on the wrong side or something obvious.

 

Driver Side







Passenger Side

 

If you need other pics just ask, I just wanna enjoy this set up after waiting for years lol

 

Looks good to me, the only thing I would look at is where the lower control arm bolts on to the spindle. You may not have even removed those bolts, but I think it's possible to put that piece on backwards. Other than that, it may be an unrelated steering rack failure. Steering racks are garbage on these trucks. Jack up the front end until the tires are off the ground and have someone steer it full left and full right and see what is going on.

 

I just read a forum on here the other day where a guy was complaining of the same thing and multiple people commented saying it was completely normal and it will loosen up over time.. wish i could find the link.

 

ahhh okay Ill give it some time and try some of those resolutions

thank you for the replies. they're much appreciated!

 

thanks scott ill keep you guys updated

I've heard of every other complication with adding lifts but this snuck up right on me lol I couldn't find anyone else with this issue

 

Only thing I see it the cups for the uniballs have rust on them, other than that it looks pretty good.

 

I'd drive it for 1k miles or so then report back, apply some triflow to the uniballs once a week as well.

 

x3, happened on my Icon setup. Loosened up a bit and I got used to it.

Matt

 

LOL, at the "Driver" and "Passenger" stickers on the UCA's.

 

Did you buy this kit new or used? Those uniballs look like crap

 

Noticed this with my All-Pro UCAs, too. The massive uniball has a lot of friction. When it "loosens up" due to wear of the teflon liner, you will want to start keeping an eye on it for excess play...

 

I bought the entire kit new, it has built up a good amount of dirt since its been raining here in orlando.

On another note, while I was installing the UCAs, the uniball would not budge. I had to get creative when reinserting and setting the tapered bolt back into the spindle.

Does the uniball have anything do to with my steering problem? I didn't think so but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

P.S. Will clean the uniball when I have the time

 

This is the reason for your steering sluggishness. Uniballs (commonly known as spherical bearings in industry) typically have high friction. The friction goes up exponentially as the bearing gets larger. You are going from a 14mm grease-filled ball joint to a 25mm grease-less uniball, so the sluggishness can be expected.

No way around the sluggishness unless you replace the uniballs with $300+ flight control uniballs, which are binned to have low friction.

 

Thank you now I understand. I was afraid I compromised my steering somehow.

It's a good lesson, I've been lurking this site for 2 years and haven't seen this issue come to light by anyone else.

 

After a few years, the teflon-impregnated fabric liner in the uniball will wear down, and the friction will reduce. However, very quickly thereafter the uniball will develop a lot of slop and require replacement.