Poor turning radius

[Chief Master Sergeant]

I have a 4x4x2 4 turn box from Red Head Steering and discovered on a recent wheeling trip that I have very poor turning radius. Is this normal with a 4 turn box?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bigmuddy]

Never heard of the issue and I don't see how going from say a 6 turn to a 4 turn would change the steering radius?

This is usually something that happens when changing to wider/larger wheels and then hitting the radius arms.

Curious to see what the experts on steering boxes have to say?

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Never heard of the issue and I don't see how going from say a 6 turn to a 4 turn would change the steering radius?

This is usually something that happens when changing to wider/larger wheels and then hitting the radius arms.

Curious to see what the experts on steering boxes have to say?

I had a 4 turn on it before swapping in the Red Head, but don’t recall having such a small turning radius. I have Duffs T-Rex arms, so I’m not hitting the radius arms.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bigmuddy]

I would be talking to redhead.

Do you actually get 4 turns when turning left to right etc?

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

I would be talking to redhead.

Do you actually get 4 turns when turning left to right etc?

Yes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DirtDonk]

You may just have to look to see where the restriction is.
If you’re getting the full four turns, lift the front end up slightly so that the weight on the tires is lessened, then steer lock to lock to see what’s stopping.
If it’s the box, make sure that it’s for sure four turns, And make sure that something else isn’t touching.
You’re right that it shouldn’t be the tires with those arms, but perhaps there are steering stops there adjusted too far out.
Another point of contact to look at anyway.

Other than the box, what other steering modifications have you done? How much lift is on the vehicle, and have you done all the normal things to bring the steering angles back to stock?

 

[Broncobowsher]

The length of the pitman arm also plays into this. Not the drop, the length center to center. The steering box only makes rotation, the longer the arm, the more throw per degree of rotation.

You need to figure what is actually limiting the steering angle. Tires rubbing radius arms is a pretty good sign you reached as much angle as you can get. There are also steering stop bolts on the knuckles. Steering damper has limited travel several times. Generally it is put the front axle on jackstands and disconnect the drag link. Move stuff around and find the limits. Maybe it is in the steering box, but usually it is outside of it.
And the wrong length drag link will make for horrible turning radius in one direction and pretty good in the other.

 

[bigmuddy]

If your hitting both radius arms lock to lock, well you cant get much more than that. And you are getting 4 turns counting off the steering wheel too. I guess I am missing something here.

Did you swap boxes or have you always had the 4x4x2 box in the rig? They do hang down quite a bit compared to the stock saginaw boxes so I am wondering if the linkage is binding?

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

The length of the pitman arm also plays into this. Not the drop, the length center to center. The steering box only makes rotation, the longer the arm, the more throw per degree of rotation.

You need to figure what is actually limiting the steering angle. Tires rubbing radius arms is a pretty good sign you reached as much angle as you can get. There are also steering stop bolts on the knuckles. Steering damper has limited travel several times. Generally it is put the front axle on jackstands and disconnect the drag link. Move stuff around and find the limits. Maybe it is in the steering box, but usually it is outside of it.
And the wrong length drag link will make for horrible turning radius in one direction and pretty good in the other.

You may be on to something. We built GM steering for it. The drag link may be wrong.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

If your hitting both radius arms lock to lock, well you cant get much more than that. And you are getting 4 turns counting off the steering wheel too. I guess I am missing something here.

Did you swap boxes or have you always had the 4x4x2 box in the rig? They do hang down quite a bit compared to the stock saginaw boxes so I am wondering if the linkage is binding?

Not even close to touching the radius arms. I’ve had a 4x4x2 box in it since converting to power steering. I had someone check the linkage while I turned and they didn’t notice a bind. I’m going to climb under and look at the stops. Thought I removed them when I installed the T-Rex arms, but who knows.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bigmuddy]

Ok, well know we are getting somewhere.

Definitely check the wheel stops.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Ok, well know we are getting somewhere.

Definitely check the wheel stops.

One is broken off in the knuckle flush. The other is missing.

I pulled the pitman arm and verified I was getting four full turns. I’ll have my alignment guy check everything out when he gets back from vacation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[73azbronco]

Yeah my EB will turn on itself, scary tight.

 

[Oldtimer]

Disconnect draglink from pitman arm,
turn steeing wheel all the way to stop,
push front wheels in same direction till stop hit or axle u-joints bind,
which one has less travel?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Disconnect draglink from pitman arm,
turn steeing wheel all the way to stop,
push front wheels in same direction till stop hit or axle u-joints bind,
which one has less travel?

It's the only way you are going to find it.