I had the front end parts (ball joints, tie rods, etc.) that have to do with steering replaced. When the truck came back, it had problems turning, especially to the right, but sometimes left as well. When this phenomenon occurs, I am at parking lot speeds. I attempt to turn right in a situation where I KNOW the truck should be able to navigate the turn, and the steering wheel rotates to about 1 1/4 turns (less than normal) then stops. The steering wheel will not physically move further, and this causes a huge turn radius. Sometimes it works normally; sometimes it does it turning left as well. Moving forward or in reverse doesn’t seem to make a difference. RPMs high or low; no difference as far as I can tell. I have jacked the front end up and checked the stops and for any linkage binding; no joy. Tires are inflated properly, power steering fluid is topped off and clean. It came from Toyota with auto locking hubs. They quit working automatically, so I replaced them with Warne manual hubs several years ago. The truck turned fine after the modification. It is NOT in 4wd. It does it on pavement and off. I believe this truck has progressive power steering, which somehow senses the vehicle’s speed and limits steering when moving faster (highway speeds). When I got the truck back from the front end work, the cruise control was not working, which leads me to believe that the two issues are related. I don’t think the truck knows how fast it’s going (speedometer works fine) and that it is limiting steering availability at in appropriate times. Any ideas on the cause or fixing this issue?

Thank you,
-Jason

 

What power steering fluid are you using?

 

I should've made this clear: the power steering doesn't cut on/off...when the steering wheel stops, you physically can't turn it...feels like a hard stop.

I can not imagine this being power steering fluid related.

-Jason

 

Does front wheel alignment read outs have anything interesting? Ideally everything should be in the center of their respective Parameters.
can we assume this condition was not present before all the work?

 

did you take it back to the shop that did the shoddy work? losing the steering could be dangerous.

 

There is no progressive steering on these trucks.
If it locks up like that, id look into some kind of mechanical interference. My first thought is in the ignition switch, (like when the keys are pulled out of the ignition) but it could maybe in the steering box or steering linkage too

 

More clarification:
This happens about 50% of the time when I need to make a slow, very tight turn
This only happens at very low speed (maneuvering in parking lot or driveway)
The steering wheel will not turn to full lock, maybe only half way
The steering wheel is not locking up like when keys are pulled
It doesn't matter if the truck is hot or cold
This feel like I hit full lock, like it's a mechanical issue and I physically can't turn the wheel any tighter in order to make the turn
It forces me to back up and readjust my approach because my turning angle is about half of what it should be
Power steering feels really good all of the time
Alignment is nice and straight. it goes straight down the road and tracks straight even while braking

Thank you for the ideas
-Jason

 

The pitman arm got removed and the steering wheel rotated a full turn(or more), then pitman arm reinstalled?
I can't believe a shop would return a vehicle with issues like this after doing work on that very system. High school/city college auto shop programs are more thorough.

 

This happens about 50% of the time when I need to make a slow, very tight turn

-Jason

 

Drive the vehicle. Figure out how you can make the problem occur most of the time.
Go back to the shop and show them.
Take them on a test drive until the problem exhibits itself so they can actually see/feel what your issue is.
Make sure they write a repair order documenting the reason you're dropping it off before you leave.