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Raised / Lifted Dakotas
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
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3/29/2003
09:44:06

Subject: Rack-n-Pinion Bump Stops?
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ForexFour and Wildhawk, see below and let me know if you are having this same problem. Thanks.

Here is my dilemma: When cranking up the torsion bars more than 1" from level position after lift(I used a 3" rear lift block instead of Rancho 2") and turning wheels to full lock the last 1/2" or so of turning steering wheel causes the rack to pull up on the knuckle/spindle which in turn compresses suspension by lifting up on the a-arms. This whole process will destroy the $1500 rack quickly, not to mention the rack is nearly impossible to remove now with out dropping the front-end again as front diff is up against it. Short of just remembering not to hit full lock(my wife will forget for sure), what can I do to add a bump-stop to the rack arm. It appears I will have to remove the protective boot on either end of rack and add a stopper to at least one side(that should do it). I haven't taken off the boot yet to see if this is even possible or not but I need to get this done immediately if it will work.

Another idea I was kicking around is adding a stainless spacer between the tie rod end and steering knuckle. This would be easier and may work better if it in fact works. I will be checking out my options more today.

Any ideas, recommendations, etc. are very welcome.

Thanks,
Bob

Flowmaster cat back, Volant Intake, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs, full synthetic fluids
4 inch Rancho/3 inch body Lift, 315 70-17 on AE 219's, Rancho 9000x's
Grizzly double/single rollbar with (6)Hella's, Manik Nerfs/Tailight Guards, Line-X, Hard Work & $$$$$$$$$$ Rancho lift ordered!!!

forexfour
GenIII
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3/31/2003
10:12:33

RE: Rack-n-Pinion Bump Stops?
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I will look into it tonight after I check the spacers. I assume you did this with weight off the wheels while it was in the air??? If not I will or maybe I will do it in the dirt.



Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!

Forexfour's home



ian
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2003
11:18:41

RE: Rack-n-Pinion Bump Stops?
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i don't think this is specific to your truck. mine is not lifted and does it too. in fact, it has done it since the truck was new. i just assumed it was the way the system worked. my torsions are cranked, but i don't think it has anything to do.





ian
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


3/31/2003
13:51:10

RE: Rack-n-Pinion Bump Stops?
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oops, i meant mine doesn't have a suspention lift.





2THEXTRM
GenIII
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3/31/2003
18:45:06

RE: Rack-n-Pinion Bump Stops?
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Forexfour, I actually haven't checked to see if it does it with the wheels off the ground or not, I do know that mine didn't do this before and I had the tbars nearly maxed out. My wifes Dak does not do the same thing either and her truck is leveled via tbars, tested it today. What is your measurement from ground to front fender right now? Mine is 45" front and rear, so it is perfectly level. Did you get the spacers? How do they work, any pics? They are definately a custom order spacer due to small size of front hub. I am not having a rubbing issue on BJ's but would like to push my tires out just a little more since I do have some room to do so. I might have to ask you to get them from the same place that made yours and ship them to me after I paid for them of course:) Oh, how much did they run if you don't mind me asking? Thx!

Ian, thx for the input, I am suprised your Dak is doing the same thing as mine, if it is, I'll guess that it is not nearly as bad as mine though.

How it's happening: I believe that as the tie rod end and rack shaft move towards rack unit while turning that when it gets to near full lock the tie rod end/steering knuckle are slightly below the level of rack unit, possibly 1/2" or more and pulls up on the knuckle in order for shaft to be straight while hitting full lock. The front end of my truck draws down at least 1" when hitting full lock, I notice the front of truck dropping down considerably from inside the truck. This can't be normal OR good for the Rack.

Flowmaster cat back, Volant Intake, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs, full synthetic fluids
4 inch Rancho/3 inch body Lift, 315 70-17 on AE 219's, Rancho 9000x's
Grizzly double/single rollbar with (6)Hella's, Manik Nerfs/Tailight Guards, Line-X, Hard Work & $$$$$$$$$$

ian
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


3/31/2003
20:08:29

RE: Rack-n-Pinion Bump Stops?
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1"? no, mine is not that bad. maybe .25" to .5", but the front definately drops a little. and it's only the last inch of travel until full lock right or left.





forexfour
GenIII
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4/01/2003
10:24:20

RE: Rack-n-Pinion Bump Stops?
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I checked the travel of the tie rods while turning witht the weight of the wheels. I see what you are talking about at FULL lock but it seemed normal since it seemed that the wheel was trying to be turned to far.

The spacers are on and I put some grease on them to hopefully prevent them from welding themselves to the hub so I can remove them. Just after one day they were hard to remove. I am gonna check and see if the grease helps. Probably not the best thing to use but it was all I could think of.
They cost $65.00 a piece and I should probably put on some longer lugs. I will monitor them for a while to see what happens. No pictures yet but they do look like the tires are sticking out more like they should.



I noticed the upper ball joint boots are starting to crack so I am concerned that they are next to go. Only the right side so far. But I perform checks after each wheelin trip and when I change tires. They check good and tight so far.

I stand at 42.5" from ground to the bottom of the fender well with my 33's on. My torsion bars are not cranked and still have lots of room. And I only have the 2" blocks in back so I am as high as I am gonna go. I do not need anymore height.

Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!

Forexfour's home



2THEXTRM
GenIII
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4/01/2003
17:08:48

RE: Rack-n-Pinion Bump Stops?
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So your front-end draws down when at full lock too? How much does it seem? I think I am going to try a spacer between knuckle and tie rod end to reduce some this cause the rack has to be taking a beating from this.

Try some anti-seize lube between the spacer and hub. That will work better than grease which will breakdown quickly from the heat generated at the hubs.

I guess then at 45", my tbars are actually cranked .5" less than yours since I have another 3" of body lift, cool.

I saw on ebay couple days ago, brand new upper Moogs and lower AC Delco's that would fit your Dak. The starting bid was $90! and they did not sell, if you are interested, I can find the auction so you can contact the seller directly if they want to sell them off ebay for $90 shipped:) That would be less than half-price to buy them at a store or online. The Moogs are greasable and the AC Delco's are greasable with a mechanics needle. I actually went with AC Delco BJ's since my uncles' repair shop has a mechanics needle and even though AC Delco only gives a one year warranty, I can go longer if needed with some adjusted paperwork;) Not to mention I saved almost $60 over the Moogs and my front-end is better than new with no more clunking around corners.

Flowmaster cat back, Volant Intake, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs, full synthetic fluids
4 inch Rancho/3 inch body Lift, 315 70-17 on AE 219's, Rancho 9000x's
Grizzly double/single rollbar with (6)Hella's, Manik Nerfs/Tailight Guards, Line-X, Hard Work & $$$$$$$$$$

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