Heavy Steering
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
Heavy Steering
Hi guys,
My steering has gotten very heavy in the past few weeks. I think it is a coincidence but it started after I lubed all the zerc's in the front end. 3 years ago I replaced all the front end linkages.
Oddly turning left is still pretty easy - turning right is from hell. Braking is fine.
I have 37's (Toyo Open Country MTs 37/13.50/r22) on an 8in lift. The steering gear box was replaced in March with the heavy duty Red Head box. Steering was great after that.
So, I think it is time for a new pump. Should I do the hoses too? All of them? There is some leakage over there but the fluid level is holding pretty good.
Dan
My steering has gotten very heavy in the past few weeks. I think it is a coincidence but it started after I lubed all the zerc's in the front end. 3 years ago I replaced all the front end linkages.
Oddly turning left is still pretty easy - turning right is from hell. Braking is fine.
I have 37's (Toyo Open Country MTs 37/13.50/r22) on an 8in lift. The steering gear box was replaced in March with the heavy duty Red Head box. Steering was great after that.
So, I think it is time for a new pump. Should I do the hoses too? All of them? There is some leakage over there but the fluid level is holding pretty good.
Dan
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,831
Likes: 3,115
From: Jersey Shore
A pump would affect steering in both directions, and braking.
Ball joint and tie rod ends affect both directions.
Hard to turn in one direction could be:
Ball joint and tie rod ends affect both directions.
Hard to turn in one direction could be:
- Damaged steering damper (disconnect to test)
- Damaged or clogged valve in steering box
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
I'll test the damper shocks - they are ICON and were placed with the lift kit 5 yrs ago. I've done about 30K mi since then. The steering box was new from Red Head in March so I will be pretty pissed if there is a problem with that - Thanks, Dan
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
I've had it where the front axle u-joints were rusted and binding. Are your hubs disengaged? Verify by the following.
Jack the tire off the ground.
Spin tire while watching the u-joint on the axle near the ball joints.
If the u-joint is moving, now turn your steering wheel all the way left or right and try to spin the tire. Does it spin as freely or is it bound up? If stuck, replace u-joint.
Jack the tire off the ground.
Spin tire while watching the u-joint on the axle near the ball joints.
If the u-joint is moving, now turn your steering wheel all the way left or right and try to spin the tire. Does it spin as freely or is it bound up? If stuck, replace u-joint.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 972
Likes: 224
From: Linden, Ca.
I've seen new parts fail from the get go or shortly after installation. So don't assume the gear is good just because it is six months old. B.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
OK, I feel pretty stupid right now. Left front tire was really low - 15psi. I have been trying to get the tires replaced for over 3mo now because they are past the wear bars, but they are backordered. When I lubed the zerc's I also rotated the tires. These tires really don't show the pressure change much at all. I did not notice when I rotated them. I used to check regularly but they had never lost any pressure. I have never put any air in the other three in 5 yrs of ownership.
Anyway you all will be happy to know the u-joints and stabilizers are good.
Btw I had heard about the RedHead troubles but it is hard to know because there are plenty of complaints about the 2 other aftermarket manufacturers of steering gears as well.
Thanks for all of your suggestions.
Anyway you all will be happy to know the u-joints and stabilizers are good.
Btw I had heard about the RedHead troubles but it is hard to know because there are plenty of complaints about the 2 other aftermarket manufacturers of steering gears as well.
Thanks for all of your suggestions.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
I have an 06 with 6” lift and 37 Toyo all terrain by 13.50. Always ran those tires. I get 70,000 miles out of every set except this last one. They must of caught on and changed the rubber lol. When truck was new had no issue with right steering. Last five years or so it has been tight to the right as well. Replaced all steering components and didn’t help much. Changed the pump and improved a little more. I think with the excessive angles of the loft and the play in all the other components it’s inevitable to have tight steering especially to the right where you are pushing instead of pulling on components. I am older now and wiser so I’m running 35’s now lol. Issue solved
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
My steering with the RedHead Heavy Duty gear has been quite good. I finally got my new tires (after almost 4mo wait) and everything is back to normal. At this point I really don't feel it is too different then before the big tires. 5 years ago when I put the tires on, I replaced all the front end parts. Until these tire are really bad, it is hard to tell just by looking that they are under-inflated.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
When I went from 37 all terrains to 35 all terrains the steering was somewhat back to normal. Still noticed it was a little harder turning to the right. Put new power steering pump and issue was solved. Blockage in pump can cause tight steering to one side.
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