steering effort

[VIRGIN MIKE]

How much effort should it require to turn steering wheel lock to lock while parked without using power steering, sitting on greased plastic sheets

alignment performed by front end shop; rear CA at 17 ⅝, increased front CA from 14" to 14 ⅝" to get 7 degrees caster, one degree camber and minimum toe-in.

with truck on jacks, steering feels consistent (with a bit of resistance) throughout range; on the ground seems like way too much resistance (and a lot of front end movement).

With nothing to compare to, I have no idea what effort should be required turn wheel; but my steering is so stiff it feels like it is being forced - what should normal feel like?

[RoadRacer]

how wide/sticky are your tires? I have 33 hr with 285's (no PS) and it's fine on the ground.

[VIRGIN MIKE]

edited set- up; sitting on greased plastic (cutting board) sheets

[VIRGIN MIKE]

Additional info: observable movement (fore and aft) of steering rack and CA bushing arms

[Robodent]

This is a hard one to gauge. However my truck is sitting on race deck flooring and moves pretty freely. Much easier than a normal vehicle of today’s standards while sitting still. When my truck is on jack stands it’s pretty much effortless. I have electric assist and When driving it in parking lots with tight turns it’s almost like driving a normal vehicle of today’s standards. I’m really glad I have the electric assist.

[RoadRacer]

Additional info: observable movement (fore and aft) of steering rack and CA bushing arms

Well, that's not good :(

[DamnYankee]

Mike,
While turning the wheel there should be no movement of the rack itself. Was the rubber bushing installed on the one rack mount?
Same for the control arms, should be no movement. Are all bushings and sleeves installed, and correct diameter bolts used?
Another thing that will cause binding is if the steering shafts are installed too far into the joints.

[Bob Cowan]

Using some kind of turning plate - even folded plastic trash bags - should make turning the wheel very easy. Like one finger easy. I use greased aluminum plates.

If you have a lot of bump steer, you'll increase the jacking effect, and that also increases steering effort. Have you ever measured bump steer?

But, things moving around is a bad thing. They should be rock solid with zero movement while turning. How did they do an alignment without noticing that? Get that fixed before doing anything else; including driving the car.

[RuffShod]

Did you insert the metal sleeves into the urethane bushings (upper and lower A-arms)?

They didn't ship the sleeves with mine. I had to order them.

[VIRGIN MIKE]

Sleeves in place; movement isn't sloppy, more like compressing the bushing on one end, as it resists the turning force; both end of rack "breathe" (flex) at about ½ turn of steering steering wheel from straight ahead. steering wheel has no binds or hard spots with frame on jacks.