2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Luke's Link

[DocDetonancour]

My son has bought Luke's for his 98 12V and I am going to help him install. Any tips/advice? thanks, Doc

 

[Darrenf]

Unless they've changed their design, it used to interfere with a bolt on the diff cover on downward compression of the suspension. I could never feel/hear it happening, just noticed after a while of driving the truck. Finally opted to go the 3rd gen conversion route among other things to solve the whole steering issue.

 

[WilsonF]

I put one on my 96. You need a grinder to get the old fitting off. The instructions are pretty good. If your son has a 4WD don't jack up the front to change it, it will misaligne the attachment points for the trac bar. I did mine by my self.

Floyd

 

[Al Mendes]

will it clear a mag-hytec cover with a two inch level kit thanks al

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Clearance

Mine did not!#@$%!

 

[ChrisOlson]

Can you use the lukes links with a 3rd gen track bar on a 2nd gen 24 valve front end??

thanks

chris

 

[Bob V]

Can you use the lukes links with a 3rd gen track bar on a 2nd gen 24 valve front end??



thanks



chris

A lukes link will not work on a third gen track bar, and you would never need one.

 

[ChrisOlson]

Bob V,

Thank you for your interest. I will answer why now. After many thousands of dollars and too many fixes to remember, although I'll try, ball joints, alignments, dss, lukes links, I still have yet to resolve my steering issues. I am now looking into steering boxes--another huge headache of thought. At this point I'm at a loss with this whole second gen steering issue. My truck used to be bullet-proof and totally reliable up until about 30,000 miles ago. I have been considering buying a new vehicle simply because living here in Juneau I have no access to resources such as shops like Source Automotive, among the many other shops out there . This just exacerbates my problem even more. I am gleaning as much as I can from this forum for the future steering box replacement or repair. Please do not get me started on the AIR COND Issues after 3500 dollars spent so far without a working AC. looks like I will need to do the EVAP to the tune of a couple of thousand dollars. oh well. I have been thinking about putting all this future money into a new truck instead.



thanks for your interest and any comments welcome.

merry christmas



chris

 

[VolsFan]

ChrisOlson, I know exactly what your going through. My truck has always been my pride and joy , but just as you described, I have been chasing down front end demons. I did the dss, maxx links, and lukes link, which helped considerably, but not 100% yet. I am really particular about my truck and when I start a project on it, I want it to be perfect. I recently ordered the Rock Solid Ram Truck steering bushing at the advice from another TDR member. It replaces a bushing in the steering column that apparently wears out quickly, it has not come in yet, but will post results when I install it, it was inexpensive too. Another thing that will also cause poor steering is worn out control arm bushings. I am going to jack my front end up and check for play in them because I have been feeling and hearing a knocking noise in that general area going down the road and it has been getting harder to keep it under control at times. I am not even going to try to replace them myself, been there done that, I'll pay a garage to do that.

 

[dseabaugh]

My Luke's link rubbed on the factory front differential cover.

 

[DocDetonancour]

my luke's link rubbed on the factory front differential cover.

was the rubbing enough that the link shouldn't be used iyo? Thanks doc

 

[DKuykendall]

On my 97 4wd the Lukes Link cleared the cover, and improved steering, but it still isn't tight like I think it should be. The conversion to the 3rd generation link appears to be the only positive cure. I have not tried it yet.

 

[dseabaugh]

It only had to have the slightest amount , maybe . 020 ground of the back to keep from rubbing. I didn't notice it at first, just later saw the shiney spot on the cover. Seemed to be when I got it a slight twist like turning out of the driveway.

 

[rluft]

was the rubbing enough that the link shouldn't be used iyo? Thanks doc

I installed the luke's link and looked to see where it would rub. Then I used a small angle grinder to remove a little off the bottom of the luke's link. There is a lot of material on the link and you should not have to remove to much to get the clearance you need. Mine has never rubbed since and I have never had to adjust or rebuild it either.