How do I get my factory steering back

[DBM]

The carrier bearing shouldn't need any spacers, most normal leveling kits only lift the front end...if you lift the front and the rear then it becomes a lift kit...the carrier bearing spacers help with driveline noise and vibration when lifting the rear of the truck

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Last edited by DBM : 09-14-2009 at 07:59 AM.

[DunesRunner08]

well i know our 00 and our 06 have aftermarket cross-over steering setups... because the factory setup was on bar across with the joint in the middle and the aftermarket knuckle made them true cross over... now I could be wrong, I havent crawled undernearth many 2008 models, but i thought the suspension was very similar, i know its not th exact same...

[Floridayfz450]

Originally Posted by DunesRunner08

well i know our 00 and our 06 have aftermarket cross-over steering setups... because the factory setup was on bar across with the joint in the middle and the aftermarket knuckle made them true cross over... now I could be wrong, I havent crawled undernearth many 2008 models, but i thought the suspension was very similar, i know its not th exact same...

I'm pretty sure you dont need a cross-over steering setup, at least with the 08's I've never seen anybody running one

[ZeroOne]

Originally Posted by DunesRunner08

well i know our 00 and our 06 have aftermarket cross-over steering setups... because the factory setup was on bar across with the joint in the middle and the aftermarket knuckle made them true cross over... now I could be wrong, I havent crawled undernearth many 2008 models, but i thought the suspension was very similar, i know its not th exact same...

On the newer ones, the drag link goes from the pitman to the top of the passenger side knuckle, and the tie rod goes from knuckle to knuckle on the bottom side.

[rod.10853]

Originally Posted by FX4STROKER

Could you tell me how thick your track bar spacer is? Ill drop the track bar and the carrier bearing a 1/2 and see if that helps. Is there anything else that needs a spacer?

I'll measure the the spacers today and post it up sometime this
afternoon/evening. I got them from Jason at the link I posted
earlier if you wanna go straight to the guy who made 'em ...

[rod.10853]

Originally Posted by ZeroOne

I'd be cautious of dropping the track bar without doing the same to the drag link. (Especially with only a leveling kit.) Changing the angles of the track bar or drag link independently can cause a bit of bump steer.

Argh, I went with the 2.5" inch lift so I wouldn't have to mess with
the pitman arm for now What about the guys who just
use an adjustable track bar only ... same situation I would guess ...
If I remember correctly, the Icon 4.5" lift system uses an adjustable
track bar and doesn't include a drop pitman arm. Doesn't sound
right, though ...maybe I'm wrong on this ...

I'm probably going to just up to 6" here pretty soon anyway ... I just
wanted to hurry up and get enough room for bigger tires.

EDIT:

Here's a link to the Icon 4.5" ... I don't see a pitman arm ... am
I missing it?

Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2008 FSD SRW 4.5 inch Suspension System - 2008-2009 F250/F350 SRW 4wd - Truck Toyz Store

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Last edited by rod.10853 : 09-14-2009 at 09:36 AM. Reason: Add link

[ZeroOne]

Originally Posted by rod.10853

Argh, I went with the 2.5" inch lift so I wouldn't have to mess with
the pitman arm for now What about the guys who just
use an adjustable track bar only ... same situation I would guess ...
If I remember correctly, the Icon 4.5" lift system uses an adjustable
track bar and doesn't include a drop pitman arm. Doesn't sound
right, though ...maybe I'm wrong on this ...

I'm probably going to just up to 6" here pretty soon anyway ... I just
wanted to hurry up and get enough room for bigger tires.

EDIT:

Here's a link to the Icon 4.5" ... I don't see a pitman arm ... am
I missing it?

Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2008 FSD SRW 4.5 inch Suspension System - 2008-2009 F250/F350 SRW 4wd - Truck Toyz Store

I'm running out the door, but wanted to reply. I can give you more info later if you want.

The adjustable track bars don't have the same effect as dropping the track bars mounting point. When you adjust the length, you simply re-center the axle by extending the bar. Since you have not changed the mounting points (vertical orientation) of either the drag link (bar that goes from the pitman to the knuckle) or the track bar, in reference to one another, the arc of travel remains roughly the same.

I didn't mean to scare you into thinking there will be a problem with your lift. If you drive around and never notice the difference, there is no problem. It IS nice to see that they addressed axle-centering in SOME way at least.

I can tell, with my Rize kit, that the upper mount of the track bar has been dropped more than the amount of drop in the pitman. On compression, (most noticeable with passenger side wheel), I get bump steer to the left, and droop, it pulls the wheel to the right. Not bad, but I do notice it. I've had jeeps for 10 years and been through this many times, with suspension modification, and custom parts, so maybe I'm more sensitive to it.

[rod.10853]

Originally Posted by ZeroOne

I'm running out the door, but wanted to reply. I can give you more info later if you want. << snip >>

Thanks for the info on this 01 ... I trust your insight on this,
so this post is much appreciated ... I'll keep a close eye on it
and go from there ...

[caryt]

Lots of misinformation IMO..You need Castor shims to get back to at least stock Castor which is minimal at best.
Crossover steering isn't needed at all and would not even work with a level kits, the '05 up trucks do not need it until way over 8-10" Leaf spring SD's need it after 8", OBS after 6-7".

You need a adj track bar or a drop bracket made for the lift you have as every 2" of lift will shift the axle 1/2-3/4"..its geometry.

Icon't 4.5" kit doesn't need a drop pitman arm.

cary

[ZeroOne]

Originally Posted by caryt

Lots of misinformation IMO..

You need a adj track bar or a drop bracket made for the lift you have as every 2" of lift will shift the axle 1/2-3/4"..its geometry.

Icon't 4.5" kit doesn't need a drop pitman arm.

cary

Not sure if those two were directed at me, but to clear up anything I've said that may be misinforming to anyone....

Track bar adjustments are always needed, to recenter the axle after a lift. I was simply trying to say that adjusting the height of mounting points (track bar drops or pitman drops) can open up a can of worms compared to having an adjustable bar itself, and not messing with steering geometry. (ie: leave the track bar's mount and stock pitman alone, especially with such a small lift)

As for the steering... technically, we already have crossover steering, as defined here.

Crossover steering - a steering system where the drag link and tie rod attach independently to the passenger side knuckle

Steering Research (4th photo down)


Apologies to the original poster for the thread derailment.