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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2002
21:32:48
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 Subject: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Hey guys, my mechanic has told me some bad news. I have the 3 inch suspension, and 3 inch body. I went in for a scheduled alignment since my left tire was pointing to the left while the right was fine. I was a bit puzzled at this. I also saw that my Steering fluid was empty..it was leaking. Theres a spot where we installed the 3 inch extender on the steering arm, and it's leaking around there. Steernig is wobbling as well. My mechanic said it's the way that the lift has put stress on the steering arms and tie rods. It's slowly wearing away the parts and now it's leaking. So i assume it will happen to u guys as well since we all have the same setup. Just keep an eye on the steering components. ;) I got pix of the leak if u want, email me at cmh7456@osfmail.rit.edu
They also said that the angle at which the tie rods and arms are set, puts a ton of pressure on the steering. Fabtech should take a look into this...bad idea.
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2002
23:38:43
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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fabtech lift doesn't have anything to do with any steering components , the body lift has an extender , and if I remember you had trouble with it and you said it took you a long time and you used a "hammer" on it ................... that doesn't sound right , and the fabtech lift leaves the steering alone , more where the tie rod ends hook up to the spindles is the same .......
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2002
23:44:50
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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yes but the angle that the tie rods are set as...the steering box cannot handle that...that's what they are telling me, plus turning those huge mudders is putting alot of stress on it as well.......i got another shop appt tmw..ill update u on what this guy says..i'm getting as many opinions as possible...
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
09:44:35
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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the angle is almost the same , you technically raised your truck 3" and in an angle the tie rods go on to the spindles which wasn't even taken apart , imagine if what you say or they told you is true , nobody would have lifted spindles on their truck , and there are plenty and none with steering problems ........The problem looks like it's from the extender from the body lift .................
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BIGTYMER
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
09:53:43
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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The extender from the body lift wouldn't effect it because it goes on the main shaft before you get to the steering box.
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ian1872
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
12:32:46
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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the body lift steering shaft extension doesn't put any stress on the tie rods, or steering components. i would assume it's from the new angle on the suspension lift.
ian
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
15:57:02
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Ok here's an update on what's happening. Took it to the shop and the guy took a look. Steering rack is shot....leaking...we are gonna try a leak sealer..if not...they will order a $467 new rack....(grrrr)......both fabtech ball joints were shot....done.....so they are ordering a newer set from another company cuz no way in hell will i go with fabtech's again. My alignment was waaay off due to problems i had. So tmw i am getting the ball joints and the alignment....will wait for the steering rack later. He said it has nothing to do with the extender from the body lift...it's from the big tires that the rack has to turn...it's not made out for that size and weight of tires. I'm running 31's so those who are running 33's, watch out. Wish me luck tmw..hope to get a compatable ball joint. what a day....by the way..the total cost of all repairs plus labor was $1016....shi@#
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ian1872
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
16:28:15
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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do you know if there is a difference between the steering rack on the 4WD and the 2WD?
ian
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
18:43:57
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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how many miles did the truck have before you put your lift on ????? And I was gonna say if the steering is gone then your upper ball joints have to be gone also ........... What about the stress from the spacers in the rims ????? you're running stockers with spacers ........I haven't had any problems so far ..........What upper ball joints you're getting moogs ?????
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langheimer
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
19:21:48
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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I don't think the 31" tires do damage to your suspension. Couldn't it be from offroading wear and tear.
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
19:38:29
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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I had my suspension lift for 6 months...and approx 12,000 miles. Yes i'm running spacers to get the 3.75 backspacing required, which is just like the rest of u guys who purchased custom backspacing rims...they stick out the same way. It could be the the backspacing that is stressing out the balljoints, but then again, fabtech should've thought about that when designing a lift that requires 3.75 backspacing. Should've had heavy duty ball joints. I did off road quite frequently, but never above 5 mph..i'm a slow poke off road :) Who knows, it could be many factors, but my only reason is to notify u guys to keep an eye open. Better catch problems before they get really bad ;) Good luck.
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TimmyBlak
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
22:05:52
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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I have a 2001 CC and put a 3 inch body lift on it and 285 75 16s at 7,000 miles on the odo. By the time I hit 10,000 which was only 2 months ago I had puddles on the garage floor, Sure enough the Rack was leaking. Am I only the second victim? I also, like your mechanic came up with the conclusion that it was the big ass tires or just a poorly built rack.
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
22:38:06
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Yeah, it's slowly appearing..the curse is spreading..uh oh :) Well, i assume it's just the way the rack was made...basically they weren't cut out to handle heavy tires. That's my assumption. I mean, trucks with axles don't have any problems with that, but we have skinny tie rods and arms that turn those big beasts and a steering system designed to run 255 stock tires. It's a possibility. Maybe we can contact fabtech and inform them of this problem if it appears more frequently and they could add a new heavy duty rack ;) (of course another $500 added to that big buck lift kit) Until then, i'm trying the power steering fluid leak sealer..from STP. Another guy informed me on another post that it stopped his leak almost 100%. he's the third victim i know of so far. If that don't work, dang, i gotta come up with $500 for a new rack. :(
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
22:39:58
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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By the way, did u notice any change in the steering? I mean, i didn't notice the leak until my steering was very wobbly (whatever that means) but it would shake vigoriously over bumps. I know that sounds bad..but i'm sorta used to it now. Hopefully it won't die on me. Let's see if dakota's are built tough :)
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
23:47:36
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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chaximus hope the sealer works , now I was reading your posts and I'm watching speed channel , they have offroad racing outside on a track with jumps and all the trucks are toyotas , fords , and I think chevy , all have rack and pinnion set ups , off course they're racing trucks , these things have travel you wouldn't beleive .........I think the trouble is with the backspacing on the rims , I talked to fabtech and they said the most you can go with is 4" , the blue truck ( dak ) on their pics has 7" rims with 4" bacspacing , the only rim in 8" that is close to that, is weld typhoon , that is 3"5/8 better than 3"1/4 from eagles , but would that really make a difference ????? plus the rims are 240 a piece , versus 300 for a set of eagles , now the tire , have you held up a 255 65 16 up to the 31" ????? its only like an inch and a half inch and a quarter taller , so the tire beign big to me doesn't cut it ...........
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2002
23:56:03
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Well if it's the backspacing...then we gotta complain to fabtech.....can't keep making a kit that don't work well with the stock components. My backspacing is 4 inches..cuz i started with 6 and got 2 inch spacers. But then again, other's aren't having the problem i am....and they are running 33's with 3.75 backspacing. Anyways, it's just a big confusing puzzle that needs to be researched. I hope it's not a design flaw on the kit, and more of my self-inflicted damage from wheeling. I'll update this tmw on what happens with the new ball joints and alignment when it's done.
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ian1872
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2002
01:09:07
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Message:
i would have to think that it's the back spacing. i think this because by the adding back spacing you are placing more torque or leverage at the ends of the arms.
the tires may weigh more but not much, and i don't think that extra weight is going to be enough to cause this. i meen, what's the weight difference between 285/75/16 compared to 255/65/16?
can anyone think of a 4X4 that had this problem?
ian
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langheimer
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2002
01:56:50
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Let us know what you find out. I hope its not just the tires.
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TimmyBlak
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2002
23:54:25
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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All I have is a body lift and bigger tires . Sorry, no back spacing here.
I didnt notice any change in the steering because the fluid never got low enough, I saw the leak on the floor. I would have to think your wobble was the ball joints.
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2002
00:57:56
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Hey guys, i returned to the shop to get more bad news. They couldn't come up with replacement ball joints. I don't blame them since fabtech is located in california. I will have to call them myself and order a pair. I didn't get the alignment done either...not worth it until i get ball joints. I just drove from PA to DC with all those problems, and it seems just fine. The leak stopped after using the STP Leak Sealer so that's some good news ;) Let me know if anyone has any information how to get new ball joints from fabtech.
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2002
09:48:56
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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why don't you put on "moogs" balljoints ????? If you do a search here or the general board it has the part # and everything .......
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ian1872
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2002
11:30:30
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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hey timmy, wouldn't that be an issue the dealership would handle?
chaximus, where was it leaking from? are your rubber boots on the shafts full of oil now?
ian
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2002
11:48:47
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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No my boots are not full of oil. it's leaking on the top of the rack, where the steering shaft connects to the rack. There's a black-type cap where they both meet and that's where it's spilling.
What are moog ball joints?
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evan
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2002
19:54:19
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Hello, I have a bone stock 2000 w/31x10.50s (stock) and 33k miles. my rack is leaking at the input shaft! Dealer warranty covers it. Its backordered ofcourse! Must have lots of leaky ones. stopleak stuff is only a "band-aid on a brain tumor" it probably wont work for long.sorry.
probably just poor engineering on dodges part.like the brakes!!good luck.
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2002
01:09:21
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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My '02 RC 4X4 AWD w/ 265/70's is leaking, so if it is stressed by the size of the tires then I am a little worried about putting a 3" Body Lift on with bigger meats. I guess I shouldn't have ordered the bigger tires. Off to the service dept.
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JNYRCNG
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2002
20:23:12
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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whats wrong with the brakes evan?
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2002
21:47:46
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Well, i emailed fabtech with some pix of the leaking ball joints, and they said it's normal for excess grease to leak out on the inner side of the boot. I think that's a bit...odd..since i don't see that on other trucks. Also if u drive ur finger and press on the boot, it's empty all around. The grease i pump in there goes right out. Something is fishy but i'm picking up new ones tmw, so we'll see how they do.
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TimmyBlak
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2002
23:42:04
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Hey Ian, It was taken care of under 3 and 36 war.
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TimmyBlak
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2002
23:52:44
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Chax, If your ball joints are only leaking grease then just pull off the boot and put a new one on it. Something at any parts store sould match up. Your shop should have helped you with that. The only reason for that is OVER greasing. It has to go somewhere. If their not loose they should have been able to do the align. also.
Just a quick thought. Are you from PA?
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Chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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10/16/2002
19:22:41
| RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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Yup, from PA...beaver falls. They couldnt' do the alignment because the joints were really bad so i just got the replacement joints....heavy duty brand :) Any one know if those joints need torqued?
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BADAZDAKOTA
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2002
00:39:42
|  RE: Watch out for those who did the 6 inch
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YEAH MAAAAAN I DONT ADVISE A BODY LIFT FOR ANY POOR 2 WHEEL DRIVE DAKOTA! I INSTALLED A 3" BODY LIFT MADE BY PERFORMANCE ACCESORIES!NOW 3000 MILES LATER EVERY LITTLE BUMP I HIT ON THE ROAD,THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES,YOU CAN REALLY HEAR A LOUD CLUNK EVERYTIME YOU HIT A BUMP,GRRRRR!AND NOW EVERYTIME I TURN MY WHEEL I HEAR A LITTLE SQUEEK SQUEEK,ITS SOOOO ANNOYING!ALSO ANOTHER WARNING IS INSPECT YOUR BRAKE LINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ON THE INSIDE DIRECTLY NEXT TO YOUR A-ARM,MY A-ARM RUBBED A HOLE IN MY BRAKE LINE!I ADVISE REROUTING THIS LINE ,OR TRY PUTTING A PIECE OF RUBBER HOSING OVER IT!LUCKILY I HAVENT LOST MY STEERING YET(I'M SURE THAT'S NEXT THOUGH)I WAS PLANNING ON GETTING SOME BIGGER TIRES,I HAVE 265/70/16s I THINK I'LL STICK WITH THAT!!ANYWAYS,BESIDES ALL OF THAT CRAP MY TRUCK IS GREAT!
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