92 4x4 3.5 in lift

[Uncle Gump]

I try to find a helper to sit in the truck and work the steering wheel while it's running and the weight is on the front end... I inspect all the moving parts from below. It makes looseness anywhere pretty visible.

As shot as those tires are and the apparent alignment issues... It doesn't surprise me a bit you can't keep it in it's lane.

 

[sumncguy]

The tires in the pic have been chucked. Found some kid selling 2 in much better shape for 40 bucks for the pair. The steering stablizer shock is new and I did have the truck aligned. Probably uselessly. But it has to be better than it was .

Any way here goes some pics

 

[sumncguy]

Those I beam bushings look like they are gone. The lower ball joint boots are f dried and cracked. Might as well just go ahead and do the ball joints.

What the one under the pitman arm called ??

Also been cleaning up the steering components .. easier to see when the grease oil and dirt aren't there

Thanks alot again fellas !!

 

[Curious Hound]

The worst thing I see is the play in the axle beam bushings. Doing the ball joints is probably a good idea.

There is one more thing to get a picture if, if you can. It's called the rag joint. It's a flexible coupling on the steering shaft between the steering box and the firewall. If it's worn, that will allow a lot of play between the steering wheel and the steering box.

 

[BlackBII]

Nothing in the pics looks terrible, but torn boots are usually a sign of things starting to wear out.

To check for wear in the ball joints and in the beam bushings, you can jack the wheels up off the ground a few inches, and then use a long crowbar to pry against beam, bottom of the tire, etc to look for movement in any of the components.

Most part stores will describe the steering linkages as follows, looking at the front axle from the front

Outer Tie Rod, right hand -- Center link or Drag link(attached to pitman arm) -- Inner Tie Rod, left hand(attached to center link) -- Outer Tie Rod, left hand

 

[sumncguy]

Humm .. I can wiggle the lower knuckle biscuit thangy with my hand. .. the first pic. And at least one of the nuts is too tall. It's kind of bottoming out on the steering gear. No way that can be full tightened.

Stuff on the top knuckle seems to be tight but havent check what might be in or on the other side of the firewall. Will do that when I get off.

Also .. did he put some kind of extension on there for the body lift ?
Bronco boneyard has a steering rod kit for 119. Might be a good idea to grab that. Drag link, ball joints, tie rods and connecting sleeves. The I beam bushing on both sides look like the only thing left is mostly the metal seat.

 

[sumncguy]

One other thing I just noticed is the positioning of the bolts between the upper and lower knuckles. Are they supposed to be in opposite direction ?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Steering shaft extension is common for a bodylift, I have one on mine but the steering shaft between a first gen and second gen are different.

Rag joint has been replaced, make sure all the bolts are tight on it.

Your truck has a disgusting level of no rust.

 

[sumncguy]

yeah thats it rag joint. Thanks. I can move that back and forth with my hand. .... and it looks like the bolt heads should be at the bottom on the steering gear side. Else one wouldnt be able to tighten them down all the way. Im getting ready to knock off .. Ill let you guys know how I make out with this. .. knuckle busters for sure though .. the lift does help with this.

Thanks again so much for you input fellas !!! Next rally, I owe you guys a coffee, water, tea, beer, wine. You pick !!

edited ..

No rust ? .. Ive been cleaning it up since I got it !!! PB Blast, large and small wire brush, engine cleaner and hard bristle sash.

 

[Snoranger]

No rust ? .. Ive been cleaning it up since I got it !!! PB Blast, large and small wire brush, engine cleaner and hard bristle sash.

Yes... that would be considered “no rust” around here.
FYI, this is a 2005:

 

[sumncguy]

HOLY CRAP !!! Is there anything left that you can rivet some tin to ?? Fred Flintstone mobile

 

[Snoranger]

HOLY CRAP !!! Is there anything left that you can rivet some tin to ?? Fred Flintstone mobile

We have more rust on 2 year old vehicles than your 28 year old truck has.


We don’t need no stinkin’ rivets...

 

[sumncguy]

We have more rust on 2 year old vehicles than your 28 year old truck has.


We don’t need no stinkin’ rivets...View attachment 49066

Yeah ... On Long Island, I was replacing exhausts every 2 or 3 years. Here I have cars for 20 years and never need an exhaust. I dont miss that stuff one bit !

 

[sumncguy]

Ok guys .. again appreciate the help tightening up the rag joints definitely did the job .. might be too tight now. Going to back nuts/ bolt off 3 spins at a time until it feels good. Still veers and wanders a bit. Will work on some of the front end stuff. Surely not worried about running into oncomers any more.

Thanks again. I'll keep ya posted.

 

[BlackBII]

Your steering angle looks pretty steep, which will make it unpredictable at times. It looks like you could probably use a lower drop pitman arm to get the links more in line with the beams.

Here is a good article about the TTB's steering why it doesn't always work so well.

Steering Tech - Discussing TTB Steering and Alignment - The Ranger Station

How it’s supposed to work (and why it often doesn’t work like so) Steering continues to be one of the most overlooked, often misunderstood pitfalls on these suspensions, so I felt this subject deserves it’s very own page. As many … Continued

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