2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Lukes linking a tie rod end

[AFoulk]

has anyone ever done this? I already have a kit, and I emailed the guy about it, he says it'll work. I'm not so sure though. The lukes link body seems awfully big for that little tie rod end, and it looks like the link would get into my dust shield and the rotor. Any ideas?

 

[4STR]

Afoulk;



I linked the tie rods, pitman arm, track bar, etc. - 5 in all - on my 2001. They fit on the tie rod ends without rubbing the backing plate or rim although the clearances are tight. It was easy enough that someone with little mechanical

ability (me) can do it. Good luck and wrench away.



4str

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Afoulk;



I linked the tie rods, pitman arm, track bar, etc. - 5 in all - on my 2001. They fit on the tie rod ends without rubbing the backing plate or rim although the clearances are tight. It was easy enough that someone with little mechanical

ability (me) can do it. Good luck and wrench away.



4str

How many miles and how do you like it? Did you have any front end problems that they fixed? I saw the links on the net and thought about giving them a try as I am trying to correct front end problems of my own.

 

[TSRAM]

I'll tell you they tightened my steering down to half the play it had. A new set of shocks and steering stabilizer and turning in the pinion nut on the steering box and it feels better than new. No slop in the steering at all with 315 mud tires.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

What do you mean by turning in the pinion nut? Is that the same as tightening the steering?

 

[AFoulk]

I know theres a difference in size between some of the different trackbar manufacturers. Is there any difference in tierod ends? Mines a Napa piece, dont' know who makes them for them. I just wanna make sure this thing is gonna work ok before I go grinding the cap off the tierod end.

 

[obert]

I did the track bar fix about 100k ago, Lukes link does evrything they say it will. I dont see it as an upgrade to performance, But it is adjustable, and if you wear down the ball seat in there, you can get another one and repair. Its a good permanent replacement, very cost effective. It's about time to do tie rods for me, I think Ill put lukes link on those, too.

What do you mean by turning in the pinion nut? Is that the same as tightening the steering?

I think that's the set screw on top of the steering box. Turned mine in about 3/16 turn with noticable results last summer. I found some good instruction about that on here (or a TDR mag article???), most I remember is caution on over tightening, that causes problems.

 

[obert]

I know theres a difference in size between some of the different trackbar manufacturers. Is there any difference in tierod ends? Mines a Napa piece, dont' know who makes them for them. I just wanna make sure this thing is gonna work ok before I go grinding the cap off the tierod end.

If the tie rod will fit into the outer link cast piece it should work. The idea of the thing is replacing that stock cap (which holds the nylon seat for the ball stud) with an adjustable one. The ball stud is what it needs to fit, not so much the outside of the joint. Back when I got mine, the new seat in the kit was the same part as in the factory joint. As long as the napa ball stud is the same, Id think it is, I cant see a problem. This product has been around long enough, if they say it will work for you, then I would have faith in that.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I think that's the set screw on top of the steering box. Turned mine in about 3/16 turn with noticable results last summer. I found some good instruction about that on here (or a TDR mag article???), most I remember is caution on over tightening, that causes problems. [/QUOTE]



I think I know what you are talking about. The alignment shop tightened mine for and made steering suck. I loosened it about 1/8 - 1/4 and it helped, but I need to do it a little more and see if that helps. It is just way too tight now. I get no natural driving out of the thing. I am consatantly having to correct the steering or i will leave my lane and hit the ditch or the guy next to me!

 

[4STR]

Wyomingcowboy;



Sorry for the delayed reply - I tend to use the computer once every

few days.



Installing Luke's link on my tie rods, etc. did help my steering

by reducing the truck's tendency to wander. I would say it helped to

the point where during highway driving I could comfortably keep the truck in one lane with one hand on the wheel rather than using 2 hands. I installed the links at 30K +/- miles and now have 108K + miles. I rebuilt (installed new washers, nylon cup, etc. - "guts") the tie rod ends one time each when they failed to take grease. Otherwise they are holding up good and I think they were worth the price.



However, my truck has started to wander more and require more attentive two hands on the wheel type driving in the last few months. So I am wondering if I need to rebuild the tie rod ends, new ball joints, ... ?