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Poll: Steering Box Brace

Steering Box brace

  • Yes, i do run one.

    Votes: 188 65.5%

  • No i don't have one.

    Votes: 99 34.5%
  • Total voters
    287
Its best too..

Taking the box off is the best way to be absolutely sure no cracks are there..many look fine until the box is off,and the frame cleaned thouroghly,then cracks are discovered!..you can see the back side of the frame rail pretty good,but cracks aren't always visible from both sides..its only 3 or 4 bolts,doesn't take long to remove them,and push it aside(no need to dissconncet everything else if thats all your removing it for--just need to get it away a few inches to clean any gunk off, for a better look.. :crazy:
 
steering box

I have an 89 blazer with crossover steering 12" lift and 39.5's. All I had was the ORD brace. Worked good for about 6 months but started to crack. I had to also weld in the two braces and now it feels more stable when I drive it. It's a noticeable difference with all three braces!
 
Check out the poll, surprising 35% do not have brace. Another thing that really helps is to stiffen-up the frame ends forward of #1 crossmember, the factory bumper and brackets isn't enough. Once thats braced, you can really feel the suspension working below the stiff frame. You don't notice the frame flexing until its gone. Or, replace all the bumper assy fastners with grade 8 and use full torque, thats not as good as a hard brace, but its the simple improvement. For that matter, anything in the front-end that you can replace with grade 8 and full torque, the better. It will make it all start to feel like welded.:D :D :D
 
I have a M1009 CUCV, i put a bolt in brace on at 20,000 miles. I am in the process of doing modifications to it now and have the frtont clip off, while i was cleaning up the frame rails i found a crack coming from one of the steering box holes that i would not have seen if i didnt remove paint in that area. I weld the crack and installed a weld in brace at that time. The steering box bolts were not loose and the truck never had oversize tires. I will say it was probally driven pretty hard while it was in service, but maybe not it. I got it from fort benning where it was the military police units commanding officers truck, so it was in very good shape. I'm not convienced that the bolt in brace is the end all fo frame cracks. I also removed the forward cross member, and replaced all the bolts with grade 8 7/16's hard ware and ran a weld where the crossmember meets the frame. well see how it goes.
 
rugger03 said:
I have a M1009 CUCV, i put a bolt in brace on at 20,000 miles. I am in the process of doing modifications to it now and have the frtont clip off, while i was cleaning up the frame rails i found a crack coming from one of the steering box holes that i would not have seen if i didnt remove paint in that area. I weld the crack and installed a weld in brace at that time. The steering box bolts were not loose and the truck never had oversize tires. I will say it was probally driven pretty hard while it was in service, but maybe not it. I got it from fort benning where it was the military police units commanding officers truck, so it was in very good shape. I'm not convienced that the bolt in brace is the end all fo frame cracks. I also removed the forward cross member, and replaced all the bolts with grade 8 7/16's hard ware and ran a weld where the crossmember meets the frame. well see how it goes.
Click to expand...
You and me headed to Utopia, Brother.:D
 
roadnotca said:
Check out the poll, surprising 35% do not have brace. Another thing that really helps is to stiffen-up the frame ends forward of #1 crossmember, the factory bumper and brackets isn't enough. Once thats braced, you can really feel the suspension working below the stiff frame. You don't notice the frame flexing until its gone. Or, replace all the bumper assy fastners with grade 8 and use full torque, thats not as good as a hard brace, but its the simple improvement. For that matter, anything in the front-end that you can replace with grade 8 and full torque, the better. It will make it all start to feel like welded.:D :D :D
Click to expand...

eventually im putting a 3/8" thick piece of steel up font.. for my winch up front.. when I get one....

then steering brace and that bracket will do wonders for the frame strength... :haha:
 
ive got one now anly due to i broke my box off the frame. and bought the re-inforcment than got the brace
the only reason i have it is because of being previously dumb...hehehe


LUKE
 
After finding several cracks in the frame around the steering box and watching the frame twist as I turned the tires, I decided to beef it up a little. I have the weld on fram brace with hydro assist high steer and the frame is boxed from the front to beyond the tranny mounts. I also replaced the front support (where the brake valve is) with a piece of channel. I have never had a problem with the frame after these mods.
 
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tRustyK5 said:
I run the weld in kit and the bolt on brace...

Rene
Click to expand...
X2!!!! I ripped the box completely off the framewhen the bolts pulled through the box but the brace saved the frame. They should have come with them from the factory in my opinion.
 
I installed the ORD brace and now trying to set a time and date to have somebody weld in my ORD frame repair kit. I suggest you have both on your truck.
 
My rig's in the back on stands right now waiting for the parts from ORD. I came very close to ripping the box off the frame... steering was getting more vague than usual and heard a popping noise when turning.

There are cracks, some as long as 2 inches, around 3 of the 4 bolt holes for the steering box! So it's getting the weld on patch and the brace.

Worst part is I already did this to a '68 pickup (yes it happens to first gens too) as a teenager and didn't learn from it! :doah:
 
well my truck is getting it, after finding out 3 outta the 4 bolts were snaped and the 4th was 3/4 of the way out mine is getting the weld on and bolt on brace

plus i found this when i took the box off... (top left bolt hole)

DSC00254.jpg
 
I just put on a ORD bolt-on a couple of weeks ago and it really tightened up the steering for me.I bought mine during the holiday sale that ORD just had and I must say that they have great service.---I only run 35s and do moderate wheeling so I may not have needed it but I figure cheap insurance.
 
Bushido said:
I just put on a ORD bolt-on a couple of weeks ago and it really tightened up the steering for me.I bought mine during the holiday sale that ORD just had and I must say that they have great service.---I only run 35s and do moderate wheeling so I may not have needed it but I figure cheap insurance.
Click to expand...
When the brace tightens-up the steering, it may be because the rivets at the crossmember(s)/frame rails are loosening. High mileage or heavy OffRoad use will eventually loosen those joints.
 
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