ORD steering brace how to install damn thing?

[nsxxtreme]

Has your truck ever been wrecked? Mine went in with little fuss.

Nope the oil cooler lines go directly through the center of the brace.

Pics? Mine fit with an oil cooler too, I just ran the lines under the brace (see post #10). Nothing goes on perfectly with these trucks, but I didn't think it was too bad.

Ya I didnt like that option. Last thing I want is to be stranded on the side of the road with my boat cause the brace wore through the oil cooler lines and shot all the oil out of the truck.

 

[clandr1]

I've been following this thread, dreading the install of my ORD steering brace that's been here for over two weeks. Decided I'd tackle it tonight (hit the bolts with PB Blaster this morning) and guess what? One of the easiest things I've done. Everything fit like it was supposed to. I just loosened the line holder for the black cylindrical thing at the front driver's side, and the rest of the bolts lined up perfectly.

Biggest pain was having to drive to Lowe's to pick up a 1/2 inch drill bit, then getting showered by hot shavings =)

I just pushed the trans cooler lines below the brace and all I had to do was some light tapping with my hammer to get the replacement bottom steering box bolt to line up.

I'm about to go for a test drive and see if I notice a difference. I'm only running 2.5" of lift with 33x10.50's, but if nothing else it's a preventative measure on the cheap.

 

[RootBreaker]

I've been following this thread, dreading the install of my ORD steering brace that's been here for over two weeks.

well i have had mine for a few years now... and i only got the big brace on.. couldnt figure out where the small one went.. but that pic in this thread is showing on the passenger side... like duhhh didnt think of that...

im still re-wiring.. then going to tackle the little stuff i have put off....

 

[clandr1]

well i have had mine for a few years now... and i only got the big brace on.. couldnt figure out where the small one went.. but that pic in this thread is showing on the passenger side... like duhhh didnt think of that...

im still re-wiring.. then going to tackle the little stuff i have put off....

The small brace goes on the driver's side on the front of the cross member where it meets the driver's side frame rail. You remove an angled piece of metal and put the brace in place of it. CK5's product review page has perfect pics to reference during install:

http://coloradok5.com/ordsteeringbracereview.shtml

 

[nsxxtreme]

I've been following this thread, dreading the install of my ORD steering brace that's been here for over two weeks. Decided I'd tackle it tonight (hit the bolts with PB Blaster this morning) and guess what? One of the easiest things I've done. Everything fit like it was supposed to. I just loosened the line holder for the black cylindrical thing at the front driver's side, and the rest of the bolts lined up perfectly.

Biggest pain was having to drive to Lowe's to pick up a 1/2 inch drill bit, then getting showered by hot shavings =)

I just pushed the trans cooler lines below the brace and all I had to do was some light tapping with my hammer to get the replacement bottom steering box bolt to line up.

I'm about to go for a test drive and see if I notice a difference. I'm only running 2.5" of lift with 33x10.50's, but if nothing else it's a preventative measure on the cheap.

Let us know 4-5 months from now after the brace has had enough time to wear through the oil cooler lines from vibration.

I have been meaning to take a picture of how I eventually got mine in. I just notched the bracket to leave room for the oil cooler lines.

 

[clandr1]

Let us know 4-5 months from now after the brace has had enough time to wear through the oil cooler lines from vibration.

I have been meaning to take a picture of how I eventually got mine in. I just notched the bracket to leave room for the oil cooler lines.

I was worried notching the brace would weaken it, so I ended up routing the cooler lines underneath and zip tie-ing a thick rubber hose around the top half of them, where they touch the steering brace. Didn't seem like it was going to cause any damage as there is still plenty of play with the lines (they are not stretched too tight) and the rubber hose is securely in place to prevent any future abrasion.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

These trucks are known for having flexible frames and the newest one is nearly 20 years old now.

That's the nice way of saying don't be surprised when stuff doesn't line up to factory specs. Making anything frame or body related for these is hit or miss considering how badly they can tweak.

That said, when I put mine on Big Ugly several years ago I had to oval the hole in the crossmember and sorta push those lines over. Worked fine. I was a bit annoyed that the instructions were based on a 70's truck with manual steering and a pretty much bare frame. I had to laugh at all the stuff my truck had that it didn't.

 

[Slapperbar]

Let us know 4-5 months from now after the brace has had enough time to wear through the oil cooler lines from vibration.

I have been meaning to take a picture of how I eventually got mine in. I just notched the bracket to leave room for the oil cooler lines.

Mine's been that way for 5 years, no issues.

 

[nsxxtreme]

That said, when I put mine on Big Ugly several years ago I had to oval the hole in the crossmember and sorta push those lines over. Worked fine. I was a bit annoyed that the instructions were based on a 70's truck with manual steering and a pretty much bare frame. I had to laugh at all the stuff my truck had that it didn't.

Agreed ORD should at the very least update their site and instructions to inform their customers of the oil cooler line issue.

That being said have any of you crawled under the truck and watched for frame flex when moving the wheels from lock-to-lock? It still moves quite a bit with the brace installed.

 

[andyblack]

I'm about to go for a test drive and see if I notice a difference. I'm only running 2.5" of lift with 33x10.50's, but if nothing else it's a preventative measure on the cheap.

Well, how much difference did you notice?

 

[clandr1]

Well, how much difference did you notice?

Zero, but then again I'm only running 33's and a 2.5" lift, and the frame was in good shape to begin with.

For me this was a preventative measure so I didn't expect much of an increase in handling performance.

 

[DeviousK5]

I just finished the install of the frame repair kit on 88K5(homeboy left the box loose for about a year, and cracked the hell out of the frame). Im with yall on the generic pictures and install literature.

The repair kit is a bitch as it is universal and in need of a military adjustment periodicly during the welding process.

The brace itself was super easy to install, and yes it does have an oil cooler. All I did was loosen the lines at the cooler and aim the lines more directly at the hole in the front x-member, but also making sure no abrasion was going to occur, and bam thats it. No other mods necessary for me. Now my the fun for me begins, as my friend i was installing it for bought me a brace as payment, luckily mine doesn't have the oil cooler.