High Steer and Tie Rod Turning

[nvrenuf]

I was reading a discussion on another board but there's been no clear cut answer.

Typical square body Chevy truck w/ D60 and high steer using an axle tube mounted tower and a clamp on the tie rod. The problem is, when turning, the tie rod is rotating up and down causing the ram to point above or below the tie rod instead of staying parallel. What causes this? Is this normal with high steer?

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I think its normal regardless of hi-steer. The kingpin angle causes the tie rod to move up and down as you steer. It isn't much and depending on the ram and if it has heims I am sure its not a huge deal. Mine is clevis pins at the ends, but I just left a little gap in the mounts so the ram can move up and down with the tie rod.

 

[Fred_M1010]

I think its normal regardless of hi-steer. The kingpin angle causes the tie rod to move up and down as you steer. It isn't much and depending on the ram and if it has heims I am sure its not a huge deal. Mine is clevis pins at the ends, but I just left a little gap in the mounts so the ram can move up and down with the tie rod.

x2
It's the caster angle that affects it, not where the tie rod is mounted.
But the movement is pretty small, so I'm not sure if you need to think too much about it...
But I was feeling slightly @nal when I installed my hydro assist ,
so I mounted my ram in a line between the tie rod and the axle tube, to compensate for it.
If you mount it at an angle and place the ram to tie rod mount at the same angle, there isn't any issues at all with binding.

I made a picture of it some time back....
... Found it!
(It should say tie rod, not drag link though )

Placing the ram in line with the tie rod and axle tube doesn't apply to high steer though.

But the theory is the same.
Place it a little low, and with a slight angle (same as your caster angle).


Another thing to think about if you want to be even more @nal,
and minimize the amount of force going in the wrong direction (back and forward),
is to not place the ram perfectly parallel to the tie rod when the wheels are centered.
Instead let it be parallel when the wheels are steered halfway between center and lock...