Clunking from crossover steering.

[formercruiserhead]

Started clunking at low speed or standing still turning. Found out it is the leaf springs sliding sideways against each other. Tried lubing in between the leafs but seems to clunk worse. Also looks like the spring bushing are trying to walk out of the springs. What is everyone doing to fix this? Panhard bar?

 

[BoondocK5]

Sounds like it's finally worn together. Time to replace the spring bushings, and the wear pads on the springs. Maybe even have a look at your center pin on your springs.
I know all that is time consuming work, but, it will be piece of mind.

 

[formercruiserhead]

Sounds like it's finally worn together. Time to replace the spring bushings, and the wear pads on the springs. Maybe even have a look at your center pin on your springs.
I know all that is time consuming work, but, it will be piece of mind.

All those parts are relatively new (15k ish) Is there a bushing that guys are using that doesn't walk?

 

[cheavyk10]

I would skip the panhard bar a go to a hydro assist set-up, to help better distribute the steering forces.

 

[Chickntrk]

Are you sure the frame isn’t cracked behind the steering box? I’ve heard a lot of them pop

 

[formercruiserhead]

Are you sure the frame isn’t cracked behind the steering box? I’ve heard a lot of them pop

yes I can see the leaves popping as I have someone turn the wheel. Plus I just put in a plate for the frame and there wasn't any cracks before I installed the new box. I think once you go to crossover they kinda stop cracking the frame at the box there I think? The leverages are different?

 

[BoondocK5]

All those parts are relatively new (15k ish) Is there a bushing that guys are using that doesn't walk?

I'm a fan of bone stock, or the aftermarket ones from DIY4X, not sure if kert sells them any more. I know ruffstuff sells them and Barnes4wd also.

 

[shady]

The leaves shouldn't be sliding side to side on each other.
Retorque your Ubolts. Then find the rest of the problem.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Check center pin and u bolts, and I'll second if your running 37's and no hydro assist you will love it if you add it

 

[Wes Harden]

You need the spring bushings with the larger OD shoulders, keeps he spring centered in the brackets.

 

[Chickntrk]

yes I can see the leaves popping as I have someone turn the wheel. Plus I just put in a plate for the frame and there wasn't any cracks before I installed the new box. I think once you go to crossover they kinda stop cracking the frame at the box there I think? The leverages are different?

Well crossover alone doesn’t really take any forces off the frame, just moves them from sliding the box off the frame to pushing it off. Hydro assist is really the only way to remove some of that force from the box itself. When I came back from Blazer Bash in 22 I had a pop when I turned the wheel and I couldn’t turn the whole way left. Turns out the sector shaft was broken and jumping teeth….but when I had someone turn the wheel it would pop and both springs would jump. Though for sure I had broken a center pin.

 

[formercruiserhead]

You need the spring bushings with the larger OD shoulders, keeps he spring centered in the brackets.

Here is what I have. I put a couple washers in to take up a small gap when I installed the springs 4yrs ago. The military style wrap leaf under the main is the one that shifts and causes the clunk or pop sound. I tried to lube it with anti seize but I think it may have made it worse.

 

[Wes Harden]

Ahh I was thinking the main eye was sliding on the bushing.
Mine was doing that, probably for years.

 

[formercruiserhead]

I was kind of hoping to move on to another mod now that the steering is done. I have seen some of the prices of hydro assist and I can tell you it's alittle steep for me. Will have to research some alternative cylinders and figure out some mounts and hoses if I do it.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

You can do it for cheap, diy4x makes a front cap for your box, then tap the top cap. Surplus center ram and hoses, then extend your steering resevior and add a cooler.

How to: Hydraulic Assist Install (Complete write up with parts list)

Pre-Hydro Assist, on the Rubicon Trail - going down Big Sluice. Rigs Submission-10 by colbyjstephens, on Flickr :bow: First of all, HUGE thanks to Owenst7 for helping me with this. :bow: While I'm sure we don't need another thread on hydro assist, I decided I'd do a write up on exactly how...

ck5.com

 

[70jimmy]

Flow mods to the pump, plenty of articles on here and it is zero dollars. My system is farm ram, auto parts hoses, no extra reservoir space, worked fine since 2007. I am planning on a new ram and hoses this summer.

 

[Chickntrk]

redneck ram

 

[Blue85]

The leaves shouldn't be sliding side to side on each other.
Retorque your Ubolts. Then find the rest of the problem.

Check center pin and u bolts,

Status of U-bolt check? The U-bolts clamping the spring pack is supposed to make the center of the spring more or less one piece. It shouldn't be spinning leafs.

 

[formercruiserhead]

They are tight. I checked last night again.

Status of U-bolt check? The U-bolts clamping the spring pack is supposed to make the center of the spring more or less one piece. It shouldn't be spinning l

 

[Blue85]

Are they tight or just the nuts frozen to the bolts? How does the military wrap look on one side vs the other? Any chance the center pin is broken or loose and the rest of the leaf pack has walked forward?