First Gen Body Lift: Steering still a problem...

[Creager]

Hey guys

I just spent the past 2 hours searching through 27 some odd pages for information on the jerky, noisy steering associated with the after-effects of a 3" body lift from performance accessories. It seems the amount of times this topic is discussed there is never a solid answer. Ive tried most the ideas, but overall they are very vauge. Does anyone out there have a solid way to eliminate the steering angle to justify the noisy, annoying steering i have?

1) Drill the holes in the steering flange to an oblong shape to lower the steering column...

i tried this and it seems to work a Little bit. but my main problem is still there, i have 'mice' in my steering wheel.

2) Grind down the steering extention

This sounds like a probable idea, esspecially if you try idea #1 along with it, but where do i grind? what am i tried to accomplish by grinding it? am i trying to grind it enough so it can get a small amount of pivot out of the extention in the shaft?

3) It will break in and eventully go away

its been over 8 months an no sign of that happening any time soon..

4) Buy a new/modified steering shaft from www.flaming-river.com to eliminate the steering angle.

Im trying to avoid buying a new one.

5) The steering 'knuckle' is rubbing

What could it be rubbing? and what is a 'steering knuckle?' does it mean that u-joint contraption on the steering shaft? I also read a post that mentioned 'bending' this thing... bend it?

 

[Creager]

no body use body lifts anymore?

 

[410Fortune]

Okay hold on
I know a guy who just wrecked his Explorer because of this steering joint/extension they supply with BL I wouldnt put that thing on my truck.

So you are looking at customizing your shaft to work (weld, fabricate, whatever), buying a custom shaft, or going to the junk yard to see what you can find.

The Gen II trucks (Explorer/Ranger) have an EXTRA joint in the steering shaft, on the OTHER side of the firewall, so it goes steering wheel, joint (for tilt wheel) short shaft another joint, then through the firewall.

I saw this because a gut over at RPS.com is doing a 4.6L in his 93 Ranger and his steering shaft was now pointed at engine. So he found this solution.

What I am getting at is you can use this later model shaft, do a simple modification (re-location) of the angle and placement of where it comes through the firewall and use all stock components just with a visit to the local junk yard

Or you can weld something together that will not be "iffy" and will hold....

Body lifts raise the center of gravity, not what I want when wheeling.
But I can understand because its a trade off, you also need clearance and tires.
I just choose to trim instead......

 

[Creager]

now that sounds like a good idea. ill have to look into that

thanks fortune

EDIT: You wouldnt have a link for that site would ya? i tried RPS.com but it brought up some weapons of mass destruction company...

 

[mechanix]

Did your kit come with a sterring shaft extension? Mine did, I have none of the problems you ar talking about. If it did come with one and you installed it, make sure the bolts are tight that go through it. I thought I had mine tight, well I didn't and I got some funkny sterring as a result. If you need a pic of the extension installed I can provide one for you.

Good luck

Eric

 

[Redrig]

Mine came with the extension and the steering had rough spots for awhile but now its fine.

 

[Creager]

Did your kit come with a sterring shaft extension? Mine did, I have none of the problems you ar talking about. If it did come with one and you installed it, make sure the bolts are tight that go through it. I thought I had mine tight, well I didn't and I got some funkny sterring as a result. If you need a pic of the extension installed I can provide one for you.

Good luck

Eric

yeah i got the extention in there and everything. The problem is the increased hight of the body creates a nasty angle for the steering extention. It comming togeather at a slight elbow. Im not getting jerky "rough/tight spots" in my steering (like i was originally) but im getting a ton of noise. It sounds like i have mice in my steering wheel. You can see the angle the most when you make a quarter turn on the steering wheel. My best bet would be to get a u-joint deal in place of the extention, but i dont think anyone makes something that size.

 

[mechanix]

yeah i got the extention in there and everything. The problem is the increased hight of the body creates a nasty angle for the steering extention. It comming togeather at a slight elbow. Im not getting jerky "rough/tight spots" in my steering (like i was originally) but im getting a ton of noise. It sounds like i have mice in my steering wheel. You can see the angle the most when you make a quarter turn on the steering wheel. My best bet would be to get a u-joint deal in place of the extention, but i dont think anyone makes something that size.

You mean where the sterring joint meets the new extension is a elbow? If that is the case I would look at the joint near the gear box. It has been awhile sence I have looked at mine but I would assume there is some kind of "flex" joint there i.e... u-joint or a rubber isolator of some kind. I would look to this as maybe the problem. I will take a look at mine in the morning and see if I can help you more. I will take a pic.

Eric