Ran out of Drag Link Adjustment with 4" Lift?

[SamoyedSled]

Got my 4" Skyjacker Lift, shocks and steering damper on today. Man is it sweet. Even the wife had good things to say (even though she didn't want to).

The shop that installed it say they ran out of adjustment on the drag link, so my steering wheel is just slightly off from straight. He got it as close as possible, but said he didn't want to run out of threads on the adjustement sleeve. I'm glad he felt this way.

This is the first I've heard of this issue. I'm getting 31X10.5 BFG ATs tommorrow, u-joints, tie-rod ends and alignment. Will that have any affect on this issue? If not:

Can drag link be lengthened/replaced with longer?
Can adjustment sleeve be lengthended/replaced with longer?

Otherwise, it went perfect, no bad vibes, e-brake adjusted fine, etc... Even with old springs, shocks, trac-bars in the back, it doesn't sag at all. VERY nice ride on the street.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

[davez26]

I gotta ask, are you using a drop pitman arm or not? If I had to guess, you are not, and you are taking up that extra 4" of height by lengthening that drag link. You really should use a drop pitman arm, as bumpsteer will be greatly reduced, and you won't have to do unsafe things to your linkage. If you do have a drop pitman arm, I'd have to guess that your current linkage setup manufacturer may have cheaped out and ran everything really short to save production money.
Dave

[SamoyedSled]

Sorry, yes I have the 4" dropped pitman arm. The drag link is the stock unit?

Hope that clarifies. Thanks for the response.

Jeff

[River Beast]

There is NO WAY you can run out of draglink adjustment when you have 4" of lift WITH a 4" DPA...your draglink should be almost parallel with the main tierod... just like it was without the lift...

Look at the adjustment sleeve... if you have more than half of the draglink and tierod end in the sleeve you have more adjustment left...

or.... did they not put your DPA on centered? I can't remember if they are 'keyed' or not... if they offset it... that can be your whole problem....

[Langdon]

If you find an enlightened parts counter guy, I'm sure you can find a suitably longer one from another application. I would be leery of lengthening the adjuster sleeve, as it is a weak link to begin with. Good Luck, and lets see some pics :cool:

[SamoyedSled]

I'll check it when I get out of the shop.

If DPA is off, is it as simple as pulling it, rotating slightly in correct direction and then re-installing?

thanks for response,

Jeff

[River Beast]

pretty much unless it is keyed...

[porkchop]

The DPA is keyed so it can't be off. The only other thing could be that they had the wheels straight and the steering wheel turned and attached it without centering the wheel first. That will cause this also. Does the wheel turn both ways the same amount of turns?

[Dome]

I have this problem with my SOA. Steering wheel is practically upside down in the straight position, and I loose some right turning radius...

[River Beast]

Bryant,

BINGO!!! that has to be it!!!! they may have had the steering wheel close to center... but one rotation off....good call... and yeah.. I looked the DPA is keyed...sorry for the misinfo :(

I think the B.S. in your title is a bunch of 'BS' :D

Adam,

This is a common problem with the SOA... only recourse is a longer draglink by fabrication or donor.... or the X-over steering which is even more cash from the DEEP pockets

[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: River Beast ]</p>

[porkchop]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by River Beast:

I think the B.S. in your title is a bunch of 'BS' :D

<hr></blockquote>


Lucky guess ;) , or am I speaking from experience? I will let you figure that on out :D .

[River Beast]

Uh....mmmm...... self-incrimination? ;)

humbling at times... but worth it to share with others to enlighten them.... been there... done that..... smile.gif

Good call... I hope that the problem....

[SamoyedSled]

Problem solved itself...

After install of 31X10.5 BFG TAs, and alignment, the wheel magically centered itself. The guys at tho shop didn't have to do anything. Must have been out of alignment so bad it I had to turn it to go straight?

I'm happy with ride. Tracks straight. Actually handles some city pot holes better than the stock springs and tire size. I left the trac-bars off, and don't think I'll be putting them back on.

Definately doesn't look like a station wagon anymore. Wife's only comment was "you need a paint job now"...Got Love Her!!!

Hope do to some very mild off-roading this weekend in the Cherokee and Nantahala National forests on some fire roads on way to a overnight backpacking trip.

Jeff