Hey guys.
Has anyone found a fix for the heavy steering issues that these trucks have.
I have done a full oil flush and replaced with synthetic oil but it still sometimes gets a heavy wheel and always in tight spots, if I slowly creep forwards I can turn the wheel. Has anyone found a solution to this PITA problem.
Cheers in advance

 

Maybe a new pump but that kind of stress isn't exactly good for the front end components. I just let mine inch a little when turning.

 

Yeah it had a new pump fitted at 60000kms, it doesn’t do it all the time though. And your right I inch forward as well so it is easier to steer. It can just be a pain sometimes that’s all. I was hoping someone had come up with a solution, or maybe even an aftermarket H/D pump of something.

 

Foot on or off the brake?

 

What about a smaller pulley to get the pump rpms up at idle?

I tried to search and found mostly offroad crawlers discussing it. Don't know if it would work on our trucks?

 

Yeah foot on the brake dan. I have to slightly let the brake off to get it to lighten up. Sometimes even take my foot right off.

Yeah that might possibly work EX, they are a weird setup with the same oil running through the brake cylinder. I’m wondering if it has something to do with the way the oil is valved, while the brake is depressed it takes pressure away from the steering system.

 

Ahh...that makes sense. I'm sure the brake booster likely gets priority.

So the brake booster and power steering is in series? Is it a bypass (power beyond, in hydraulic systems) kind of system?

I am wondering if this is a design limitation or if the lines and brake booster may have a restriction? I could be way off, though.

 

"Heavy Steering Sometimes When Stopped"


If you are stopped, where are you steering to?

No matter how much you steer while stopped, the effect of your having steered will not manifest itself until you go again.

The solution is simple. Steer when you go. Don't steer when you stop.

In the days before power steering, that was how we (us old folks) HAD to drive. There wasn't really a choice. The subject of turning the wheel quickly while rolling with foot off the brake, such as when parallel parking, was literally taught by driver's ed teachers.

It simply would never occur to us to try to steer while standing still. Where would we go? Steering while standing still just grinds up the tire tread against the pavement, or worse, unseats the bead on xx.5" rims with shallow 15 degree bead tapers. Doesn't make any sense.

The hydroboost power steering system that we have is integrated with the power brake system. Even the folks who understand this, still don't understand that applying the service brakes will effect steering effort, without anything being "wrong" or restricted or out of order. It is the design... but it is not a limitation.

There is nothing limiting anyone from removing their foot from the brake pedal and steering when they wish to go someplace. And if they wish to stop and stand still, then what need is there to steer? No change in direction will take place until rolling anyway, so why not steer then?

 

If space is that limited you can put the truck in neutral bring up RPMs and increase pump output. I have had some 1/2 mile backups with trailer when the “road” runs out in the mountains where that came in handy.

 

My EX started this behavior just a few days ago while visiting family in NJ over the holidays. I am hoping this improves as we get into warmer temps (it has been below freezing temps for ~3 straight weeks here in the NE).

I completely agree with your theory of not going anywhere while standing still. But in my case, I found this problem out the hard way when parallel parked in a very tight spot in NJ. Took me a while to get the EX out of that spot. In places like NJ, parallel parking spots are a premium and people tend to park so close to each other, that little inch is probably all you have to get your vehicle out safely

Subscribed to see what else may need to be done.

 

larger than stock tires, and low air pressure in tires will cause this.

 

High idle tune fixes this....and stock tires helps a bit.

 

I agree, the record low temps we have been experiencing can really effect tire pressures depending on what the temperature was the last time they were checked.

 

as an example. on my 02 i run 285's at 50 lbs pressure. it does not turn at idle. air the tires up to 80 psi, and you can turn the wheel with one finger at idle.

 

As has been explained above, sometimes the realities of the available space which once must get in and out of dictate the need to make as sharp a turn as possible.
Moving the vehicle before, or at the same time, increase the turning circle and makes maneuvering in very tight circumstances difficult.
On the other hand, being able to turn the wheels first, while stopped, allows one to then concentrate on the movement itself; possibly in VERY tight quarters.

Also, keep in mind, a vehicle built with manual steering will have a higher ratio steering box, intended to make it steerable without power assist. That's a whole different ballgame from a power steering system not having adequate pressure to provide the assist it meant to have.

Except for perhaps the vehicle, wall, or curb in front, behind, or right next to you. Parking a SuperDuty in some places in NJ can be a challenge

See above. Having to move first results in a larger turning circle and limits tight quarters maneuverability.