Loose steering after lift

[popo_patty]

Hey guys! I recently threw on D load rated 37’s and King shocks with SPC UCA’s. Kings are at 2” lifting up front and leveled in the rear. Took it to a off-road alignment shop that is the best in my area and are alignment gods. The alignment specs are perfect.

The issue is after lifting my steering feels loose. I have had the bushing installed from BB for almost a year and had no issues before lift. It’s almost a slight bumpsteer feeling and overall loose.
My friend has a very similar lift and tire setup from Radflo and his steering is tight. His is lifted about 1, 1 1/2” vs my 2ish” of lift. I explored different tire pressures since mine are 8 ply D rated. I ran 40, 35, 32 and currently have it at 28 PSI. Nothing seems to make a huge difference.
Running out of options. Any ideas?

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[CUZICAN]

When you say loose, as in play in the steering wheel, or just not tracking right and following the grooves in the road? Who installed the lift, you or a shop?

 

[popo_patty]

Hey guys! I recently threw on D load rated 37’s and King shocks with SPC UCA’s. Kings are at 2” lifting up front and leveled in the rear. Took it to a off-road alignment shop that is the best in my area and are alignment gods. The alignment specs are perfect.

The issue is after lifting my steering feels loose. I have had the bushing installed from BB for almost a year and had no issues before lift. It’s almost a slight bumpsteer feeling and overall loose.
My friend has a very similar lift and tire setup from Radflo and his steering is tight. His is lifted about 1, 1 1/2” vs my 2ish” of lift. I explored different tire pressures since mine are 8 ply D rated. I ran 40, 35, 32 and currently have it at 28 PSI. Nothing seems to make a huge difference.
Running out of options. Any ideas?

Something to note is I havnt touched my rear trackbar and my buddy has the relocation. I know that will help but didn’t think it would make such a difference in the steering wheel feel.. idk

 

[popo_patty]

When you say loose, as in play in the steering wheel, or just not tracking right and following the grooves in the road? Who installed the lift, you or a shop?

A reputable Offroad shop that’s done Toyota IFS for years. It’s tracking straight. Just feels like bumpsteer on bumps and ruts almost. Tracks very straight

 

[popo_patty]

A reputable Offroad shop that’s done Toyota IFS for years. It’s tracking straight. Just feels like bumpsteer on bumps and ruts almost. Tracks very straight

I should note the same shop did both Broncos

 

[VIRUS]

Above my pay grade

When I put 6100's on my sasquatch badlands, steering felt similar to what you describe.

Recently put on eibach coilovers and icon uca's.
Now it feels tight and right
Same 37" tires and pressure for both setups

Ran the 6100's on top ring and running the front eibachs all the way up.

Hope you get it figured out

 

[Parabellum]

Need to see actual alignment printout.

 

[Brnzbronc]

May have to do with the shocks valving setup meaning one brand is digressive, progressive, linear or regressive. Each company does their valving differently research that and the brand to get the ride quality you want

 

[Silver-Bolt]

Sounds like a caster issue.

 

[Snacktime]

Take a picture of you lower a-arm bolts, the picture above they look maxed. I have the same issue which is maxed out adjustment, those fancy upper a-arms might not have enough adjustment and caster.

The reason I don't have aftermarket upper a-arms is the fact no one has proven if they add caster or help with camber adjustments. I want before and after alignment specs.

 

[Snacktime]

I should also add the rake of the vehicle factors into the caster. I sit pretty level and it drives better with weight in the back (little nose up lol).

 

[V1Rotate]

I’m running 2.5” of lift on Radflo adjustables w/ remote resi along w/ 37’s and my steering is tight like the day I bought it.. no drift, no bump steer. I had the slightest amount of bump steer after going to 37’s on the stock Bilstein suspension but swapping to the Radflo’s made that disappear. I’m Running Icon tubular DJ Pro UCA’s but I‘m on the stock rear track bar and links. My caster from my alignment report is exactly 3.0 deg (‘22 Wildtrak calls for 3.18 +/- 0.6) and my alignment guy set the toe at +0.1 saying it would track better that way FWIW.

 

[kodiakisland]

As much lift as it has, does the angle of the tie rods play into it as well?

 

[Tricky Dick]

I ran into the same thing after the Icon EXPs. The alignment sheet shows it to be in spec but it just didn't track that well anymore, a bit darty. I ending up adding a 1/4" spacer between the shock and LCA but did not realign, so I think it gave me a tad more toe. Seemed to help.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Take a picture of you lower a-arm bolts, the picture above they look maxed. I have the same issue which is maxed out adjustment, those fancy upper a-arms might not have enough adjustment and caster.

The reason I don't have aftermarket upper a-arms is the fact no one has proven if they add caster or help with camber adjustments. I want before and after alignment specs.

I installed BDS upper control arms, and I gained some positive caster. I do believe they claim their arms add caster.
Bottom is stock UCA, after installing steering rack bushing.
Top is after UCA install.

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