Help I can't turn right!!

[85R20]

Hey everyone I have a big problem and I need to see if anyone has gone through this issue before with their project. I have full turning to my left and everything is good there but i only get an inch or two to the right front center. Anyone know a possible fix to this problem? I've taken the linkage apart and aligned everything and it did not make a change in it at all. I will post pictures of the set-up later today when i get out to the truck. I have never owned a lifted truck before and so this is all new to me with the lift kits and all. Someone please help.

[Mike C]

Did you buy this truck this way or did you lift it?

Lifted solid axle trucks require steering correction if the lift is over 4", and sometimes 4" or less to correct geometry. Depending on the lift, the steering arm can be rotated quite a bit one way for the drag link to reach the knuckle. This has the effect you describe of reducing turning in one direction.

[odog]

Ok I had this happen to me and it was a dumba$$ attack. When I hooked the steering stabalizer up, I had it wrong. I started with the wheels centered, and the stabalizer in the "closed" position. The stabalizer would "open" up turning left, but when I truned back to center, it would "close" all the way, not allowing me to turn any farther to the right. It was a simple fix. Hope this helps.

[LONGHAIR]

Sounds like someone did the minimum when installing the lift kit. You really need either a dropped pitman arm or raised steering arm to get it corrected.
As temporary help, you can adjust the drag-link to be longer. This will give you some right turn back, but it is not a permanent cure. The angle of the joints on the ends of the drag-link is too extreme, especially to the right.

[msgross]

left only huh... you could always join NASCAR!


seriously though, might want to check the stabilizer and make sure the drag link (steering box to wheel) is horizontal... might need adjusted.

[85R20]

Originally Posted by Mike C

Did you buy this truck this way or did you lift it?

Lifted solid axle trucks require steering correction if the lift is over 4", and sometimes 4" or less to correct geometry. Depending on the lift, the steering arm can be rotated quite a bit one way for the drag link to reach the knuckle. This has the effect you describe of reducing turning in one direction.

I did buy the truck this way and the last owner said it was either a 10" or 12" lift but im not sure. I know its clearing 39" tires with no problem so its pretty high. I took the pitman arm off and found center but its still not having a change in being able to turn right. i will post some pics of how its set up later today possibly but i just cant figure the problem out.
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[msgross]

time for crossover steering...


probably not necessary but it would be an upgrade with that much lift

[LONGHAIR]

You could have lead with the 10-12 inch lift thing...
Yeah, we are going to need pics to see what has been done, or not done?
I'm with msgross on this, it really would be best to go with cross-over steering.

[85R20]

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[85R20]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

You could have lead with the 10-12 inch lift thing...
Yeah, we are going to need pics to see what has been done, or not done?
I'm with msgross on this, it really would be best to go with cross-over steering.

How do i post pics from photobucket? i have the steering linkage pic on there but dont know how to post them to here.
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[85R20]

Here are the pics of the steering linkage. Hopefully this helps everyone give me some insight as to how to fix this problem.

[LONGHAIR]

Ok, looks like a raised steering arm and a dropped drag link. The angle isn't that bad, so it just needs to be lengthened, if it can be? Be careful about the amount of thread contact when you unscrew the ends. It may not be able to go as far as you need. At that point you are going to either replace it or step-up to cross-over.

[85R20]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Ok, looks like a raised steering arm and a dropped drag link. The angle isn't that bad, so it just needs to be lengthened, if it can be? Be careful about the amount of thread contact when you unscrew the ends. It may not be able to go as far as you need. At that point you are going to either replace it or step-up to cross-over.

Ok thank you i appriciate the help. is there any way of telling exactly what size lift i have because i have never had a lifted truck like this and the guy i bought it from was not sure of the size either.
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[kenbob87]

i would highly suggest going to cross over steering and i would say that your truck has atleast an 8 inch lift if not 10 inches

[Mike C]

With a 4" lift, that raised steering arm should be in line with the pitman arm. Figure whatever the drop on the drag link is plus the 4" of the raised steering arm is the amount of lift on the truck.

[CrewCab59]

You have mixed matched parts that don't go together, and for a 10" to 12" lift I would say a 12"

1. Your S drag link has the wrong end and looks to be welded to the s drop.They had don that because the stock rod end would reach ( still needed a steering block under arm or drop pitman arm. No matter what the steering is never going to be good with that. The only way to have steering as said above is crossover.