What are my options? Steering linkage issues...

[jlaird]

I'm back!!! Not that you guys missed me Had a few month hiatus from the truck because I just had my first son!

Here's my issue that I know is a very familiar one: I sectioned my crossmember 1.5" and now the inner tie rods are JUST skimming the nut on the a-arm ubolt. The only option (besides porterbuilts kicka$$ dropmember) I see is putting a .25 plate between the crossmember and frame. Is there any other tricks I am not thinking of to remedy this problem?

Thanks guys! Its nice to be back...

Josh

[gringoloco]

Maybe try some different tie-rods. Some of them are a little smaller. Just go to the parts store and pull all the brands they have. I've also heard of flipping the center link, but I couldn't make it work...

[jlaird]

I did think about that. I've got all new moog tie rod ends. The inners look pretty darn small as it is. I'll have to check the parts store though just in case. i dont think I'm going to gain enough though just from a different tie rod.

[cdowns]

use thinner nuts

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by cdowns

use thinner nuts

ok, now we're thinking. Is that safe?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by cdowns

use thinner nuts

I didn't trim mine down because they aren't that thick to begin with IMO. I would have had to remove 1/2 of the nut to have >1/16" clearance.

Jlaird..... Mine was just a 1 3/8" notch & I had to add the c.member 'shim' like you're thinking. I also removed the reinforcement 'tab' where the u-bolt goes through the crossmember (basically.... it's the washer on top) & cut it in half. I reinstalled one half of it for just the inside part of the u-bolt. I threaded the nuts down on the u-bolt & trimmed off all exposed threads above the outer nut.

This allowed the outer nut to tighten down on the u-bolt as much as the inner nut, yet it's about 1/8 ~ 3/16" shorter on the outer side (w/o sacrificing the intergrity of the nut). I also made sure I was using the later model 9/16" u-bolts vs. the originals (68 drum brake 1/2" u-bolts).

[jlaird]

scoti,

I was hoping you would chime in. I remembered you used the shim. Thanks! One question, when you say later style u-bolts, I'm assuming you are referring to 73-87??

How thick are your shims?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by jlaird

scoti,

I was hoping you would chime in. I remembered you used the shim. Thanks! One question, when you say later style u-bolts, I'm assuming you are referring to 73-87??

How thick are your shims?

Yes... 73~87 u-bolts & 1/4" shims for a final notch of 1 1/8".

I had read where the max was 1.5" for a 'trouble-free' notch so I thought I would give myself some fudge room & only go 1 3/8". To my suprise, that didn't even work & I had to go w/the 1/4" shims to give myself >1/8" clearance on the steering linkage.

You can also see the corner of the motor mount stanchion in the 'shim' pic.... they also had to be spaced 1/4" to keep everything consistent.