some advice on stiff/heavy steering

[OlivierA4]

Hi everyone,
in the last month, i changed all of my control arms and put in new spring coil over. I have not doing the wheel alignment yet. I took the car out for a quick test drive around my neighbor and the steering is very heavy. is this the result of the coilover lowering combine with unalignment?
one issue that I was not really sure during installation is the suspension loaded. the mistake was that I took all the control arms out (upper and lower) so I didn't have a reference when I reinstalled. I should replace the lower first, then the upper. SO what i installed the upper control arms with the measurement 80mm and 71mm for the front upper control arm and back upper control arm. tight everything down to the spec. and install back into the car with the coil over without tightening the struts lower bolt. then I jacked the knuckle up until the car about to lift then tighten the lower control arms bolts and the struts bolt.

anyone see any flaw or add suggestion into this? thanks in advance
Olivier

[cschuster]

Jacking the hub up to ride height then torqueing the control arm bolts is the preferred method for lowered cars.

Heavier steering is probably just the result of having all new tie rods, bushings, and ball joints.

Misalignment could also cause it to be heavy I guess.....if the toe angle is excessively in? Don't quote me on that one.

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[diagnosticator]

Did you disconnect any of the power steering hoses? Sounds like the PS system is full of air. What is the PS fluid level in the PS fluid reservoir?

[OlivierA4]

Diagnosticator
I have not change my power steering fluid in at least 5 years. i had PS leak 3 years ago and the shop fix it which i assume they change the ps fluid as well.
I did not disconnect any power steering hoses during my suspension replacement. is there anyway that I could test the P.S system?

CSchuter, thank you for the guidance on how to load the suspension. i will recheck my suspension again.

thank you for replying back and greatly appreciated.
Olivier

[OlivierA4]

I just bring the car front height to 14" from center hub to the fender. the car steering seem light now. i will let it settle a bit and see what would it be. I am looking for instruction on how to change the power steering fluid. I check on bentley manual and can't find it. can someone give me a glue? i am thinking of take off my bumper and drain the steering fluid from the steering cooler at in front of the radiator. any suggest?
Olivier

[old guy]