Steering questions

[CaveBlazin]

Hey everyone.. So I've never been the steering guru like some of you all are but I'm looking to fine tune what I have OR do some major upgrades. Can someone go over with me how to reset my steering? I currently do not have very much turn to the right but decent turn to the left. I was also looking at doing some upgrades cause the last time I did anything to the steering was when I put the axles in about 15 years ago. I'm sure some technology has come about since then or at least some places that make kits to help me in this process. I have a 10 bolt 3/4 8 lug front axle and I have attached pics of the pitman arm steering setup. Thanks for any help you can provide with this..

 

[skunked]

sounds like your drag link is too short, try adjusting it.

 

[sweetk30]

drop "S" drag link and its turned sideways = not good . also if not installed correctly can eat up steering travel in 1 direction .

raised steering arm off axle for lift = o.k.

the 2 together in this set of pics looks over corrected .

there is a super thread here on the whole reason how to and why to set them correctly LINK

you need a little drop from the steering box arm/pitman arm down to the axle arm/steering arm . your current setup looks flat and the drop link kit looks turned . they should be up/down drop from steering box to axle not side to side .

if it was me i would install a new drag link kit from STOCK parts and set wheels straight then hook up the link and center the steering wheel . then road test it .

 

[CaveBlazin]

drop "S" drag link and its turned sideways = not good . also if not installed correctly can eat up steering travel in 1 direction .

raised steering arm off axle for lift = o.k.

the 2 together in this set of pics looks over corrected .

there is a super thread here on the whole reason how to and why to set them correctly LINK

you need a little drop from the steering box arm/pitman arm down to the axle arm/steering arm . your current setup looks flat and the drop link kit looks turned . they should be up/down drop from steering box to axle not side to side .

if it was me i would install a new drag link kit from STOCK parts and set wheels straight then hook up the link and center the steering wheel . then road test it .

I guess the reason I dont use the stock stuff is cause I need the drop for the suspension lift. I'll readjust what I have then post pics of it once I'm done to see if it looks correct. Thanks for the detailed info. I have'nt worked on my rig for awhile (long story) but I sold it back in 2007 and bought it back a few years ago and I'm just now trying to get it road worthy.

 

[sweetk30]

you have 2 forms of correction going on for the steering . this looks to be over correcting the system .

thats why i said the drop drag link looks turned sideways . cause if it was installed up/down like its meant to be it probably wont fit right at all . this is why i said to install a stock one and recheck . or if you read the info in the link i provided there is directions on how to measure what you have and determine if any correction is needed or how much is needed .

how much lift is under there in springs and any other stuff ? this will help real quick determine any parts needed to stay or leave .

 

[CaveBlazin]

Finally getting back to this issue. I see what your saying now Sweetk30 I misunderstood the first comment you said. So I’ve got a 6” lift on the front but can see now it’s over corrected. I need to find a stock drag link now to see if that will fix the issue. It is definitely over correct and I’m glad y’all are here for the help. Thanks!!

*Any of our CK5 businesses make them? I’d rather support them or a member who has one.

 

[skunked]

Rockauto or Amazon is probably your best bet.

 

[1-ton]

Your drag link is an off-set drag link for lifted trucks. Since it is turned sideways, it is acting like a stock straight drag link.

 

[CaveBlazin]

Yeah I guess when I did this 100 years ago I assumed I needed the drop drag link but never considered the raised steering arm on the axle. Ughh re-learning this stuff is frustrating but I’m glad I’m doing it. I have no idea why I did that in the beginning but I was young and dumb. Thanks y’all