Getting ready to do a steering rebuild - Got some ?????

[Sbolt19]

I am finally getting around to doing a complete steering rebuild, and in the process, install the Cage coils that have been sitting in my garage for the past year and a half. To start, I am going to replace the ball joints. I have one going out & I have never replaced them, so I figure now is as good a time as any. I am also going to send my PS box to West Texas & get it rebuilt too. So, all in all, I am going to replace the front bushings, coils, ball joints, & rebuilt PS box.

I am debating on getting the Stone Crusher Steering or BC's Heim steering. I don't know anything about either one, so lets hear the pros & cons of each. I also need to get a drop pitman with the new coils, but I also have thoughts of doing the tie rod over with the new steering linkage. Another question is a track bar riser/drop bracket....what are people's thoughts about either one, one over the other, a combo of both and how they tie into the new linkages? What do you guys think?

This is something that I have needed to have done for quite some time, but I have just been back burnering it because I didn't really HAVE to do it, but with the ball joint starting to go, it just makes sense to do it all at once rather than one piece at a time & multiple tear downs.;D

 

[thumping]

I am finally getting around to doing a complete steering rebuild, and in the process, install the Cage coils that have been sitting in my garage for the past year and a half. To start, I am going to replace the ball joints. I have one going out & I have never replaced them, so I figure now is as good a time as any. I am also going to send my PS box to West Texas & get it rebuilt too. So, all in all, I am going to replace the front bushings, coils, ball joints, & rebuilt PS box.

I am debating on getting the Stone Crusher Steering or BC's Heim steering. I don't know anything about either one, so lets hear the pros & cons of each. I also need to get a drop pitman with the new coils, but I also have thoughts of doing the tie rod over with the new steering linkage. Another question is a track bar riser/drop bracket....what are people's thoughts about either one, one over the other, a combo of both and how they tie into the new linkages? What do you guys think?

This is something that I have needed to have done for quite some time, but I have just been back burnering it because I didn't really HAVE to do it, but with the ball joint starting to go, it just makes sense to do it all at once rather than one piece at a time & multiple tear downs.;D

We'll be glad to give you a quote or answer any questions you may have. BC's or ours (Stone Crusher) are a great improvement over the stock steering linkage. I will give you my opinion on the track bar drop bracket verse the riser. Go with the riser if you plan on doing any serious off roading. I've actually seen drop brackets ripped right off the frame. The riser is a much stronger piece and prevents the frame from being stresses by the twisting motion. It’s basically a leverage thing. The further away from the frame the track bar mounts, the more leverage it has to twist.

Anthony
www.stonecrushersteering.com

 

[garberz]

I went with the Stone Crusher system for my '76. What a major improvement! Simple to install. With TRO, you wont need a drop pitman arm. I have 2 1/2" lift, no track bar drop or riser. Next will be the Stone Crusher track bar for me.

 

[bronko69er]

Go with tapered studs for saftey and lonevity if you go with heims.

 

[Sbolt19]

... I will give you my opinion on the track bar drop bracket verse the riser. Go with the riser if you plan on doing any serious off roading. I've actually seen drop brackets ripped right off the frame. The riser is a much stronger piece and prevents the frame from being stresses by the twisting motion.....

Makes sense. Now, as far as the steering linkage. I have a set of 5.5" coils that are going on (moving up from a 3.5" set). If I do a TRO, as suggested, would I still need to get a drop pitman arm? And what about the tapered stud bronko69er suggested? What about the track bar, is that something that I should replace with this? I want all the info before I splurge ;D , don't wanna be doing this thing over.

 

[bronko69er]

With my 5.5" coils, I run a track bar riser, 1-ton Tie-rod ends with DOM (on top of knuckles), stock pitman arm.
I "custom sized" my trac bar so you'd probably need an adjustable one (or cut and splice it with DOM like I did).

The tapered stud is to prevent "wallowing" of the holes in the knuckles and the pitman arm, commonly caused by using heims and a bolt. This is not needed for the trac bar. http://bcbroncos.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=37_82&products_id=770

Also, you will need to find a tapered reamer to borrow or buy one.

I personally like the tie rod ends better for a few reasons:
1) you can by them at any parts store if you happen to break one on the trail.
2) the taper fit is safer than a bolt (not really an issue if you use the tapered stud)
3) some people have said that the heims will wear much faster.

 

[thumping]

Makes sense. Now, as far as the steering linkage. I have a set of 5.5" coils that are going on (moving up from a 3.5" set). If I do a TRO, as suggested, would I still need to get a drop pitman arm? And what about the tapered stud bronko69er suggested? What about the track bar, is that something that I should replace with this? I want all the info before I splurge ;D , don't wanna be doing this thing over.

With 5.5" coils, yes, you're going to need a drop pitman arm and I would suggest a track bar riser. As for the track bar, you will need to re-center the axle after the lift. As the track bar goes up on the frame side, it pulls the axle to the drivers side. An adjustable track bar (which is what we build) pushes the axle back over and helps to fine tune the centering.

As for the tapered stud verse the 3/4" grade 8 bolt...I guess to each's own. Both use lock nuts and I strongly suggest always install the cotter pins that come with the steering. There was a thread a little while back as to what can happen when everything comes lose while driven. Things like this can happen regardless if you are using TREs or heims if not installed properly. So please take the time to make sure “everything” is done by the instructions no mater which one you decide on.