78 Chevy 4WD lift problem

Just installed a 4" Rough Country lift on my 78 pickup. I put on the new steering arm that came with the kit. Now, the truck barely turns right. Anyone know how to fix it? I e-mailed Rough Country tech support, but doubt they'll answer until Monday.

Thanks! Mark

Reply to
Mark and Ellen Smith
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Steering box centered when you installed the new arm? Sounds like you installed the wheels square with the steering box to one side of it's travel range. I'll bet she takes left turns like a sonofabitch though!

Doc

Reply to
"Doc"

up until the stop on the axle hits that left side spindle.. ;-)

You've gotta adjust your draglink (the double tie rod end setup between the steering box and the new arm) to get your travel back.

With the front wheels off the ground, cut the wheel all the way one direction, loosen up the 2 bolts holding the sleeve in place, and adjust the tie rods until you get closer to what you're lookin for. Then do it again, and again till you have lock to lock turning, and no, the steering wheel won't be centered - that's something you'll have to do later. Try to get the axles to actually hit the stops if you can, because it's not nice on the gearbox to 'bottom out' when you turn. You may need to have an alignment shop look at it too - you may have changed your toe geometry when you lifted it too (by tilting the axle a bit with the new springs), and if you can get the turning close, they'll be able to get it 100%.

Now for the steering wheel....hehehe.... Once you get the wheels turning right, pop off the wheel, pull the lockplate, and figure out where it's gotta go so that you can have the wheel centered (this is if you've got a stock wheel). Now notice that the shaft is keyed - and there's one spot where there's a key missing. Grind that notch out of your lockplate and reinstall it.

Any questions?

JC

Reply to
JC

"JC" wrote

Yes, why are you giving such poor advice? If you don't know why it's poor advice, you shouldn't be doing any work on anyone's front end, including yours.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_Kai

"JC" wrote

You aren't the only one to answer his question, Doc had a much better answer or at least idea as to where the OP should start.

And what does MM have to do with this?

Ian

Reply to
shiden_Kai

Turn the steering wheel GENTLY lock to lock with the steering arm off. Count the turns, now turn it to one side or the other HALF that amount. (ex. 4 turns L-L turn back 2 turns from one) Steering wheel should be real close to factory centered, if off a small amount just turn it to the correct position. On many GMs there is also a mark on the steering box shaft to show center. Lock the wheel in that position or tie it or have someone hold it there. Now reinstall the steering arm. It is REAL important to keep the steering in that centered area for a few reasons, One - Most steering boxes are designed to be stopped by the steering stops not by the internals in the box, consider how much force your putting on that box and you will find out just how easy it is to break one. Two - there is a "dead spot" inside that box that is the centered position which should occur when the wheels are straight ahead. This combined with the caster/camber is how the front returns to center when you take your hands off the wheel. Three - Most GM boxes are designed to provide proportional steering and any position off center throws that off. Lastly if you install the arm off center your going to be constantly fighting either a pull to the left/right depending on which side your off on. (in your case if you just adjust the linkage you will have a constant left hand pull since the box is off center to the right.

Once you get the steering centered up make sure there is no binding and that the steering stops are OK, then get thee to an alignment shop and bring money, I'll wager everything is WAY off unless you are REALLY lucky. DO NOT DRIVE IT AROUND BEFORE GETTING IT LINED UP.

Reply to
Steve W.

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