steering centerlink Issues

lbishop

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
Got my lifted installed, took it to have the alignment done today... Got called back into the shop so they could show me just how bad my steering centerlink is shot. They called some shop and that place can have me a so-called "heavy duty " one there in like 3 days. Run me about $140 or so for parts. That seems a little cheap and i'm afraid its more along the lines of oem.

So what are my options? Anybody got a line on a heavy duty steering centerlink? Or should I just bite the bullet and order a steering kit? I don't really have the money for a full-kit though. I guess the truck can stay parked until I have enough though. Kinda of bummed out

thanx yall
 
chuckamazuk

chuckamazuk

First Fill-Up (of many)
Founding Member
Location
Bloomington, IN
grassroots4x4.com has the HooHaa centerlinks. It requires some pitman arm and TRE modifications but it is beefy. I've been running one for years without a problem.

You could just get an OEM one for cheaper and just roll with it until you get more cash too.
 
lbishop

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
what kind of modification did it take to get it fit? I can swing the price tag on it, and piece together the rest of my steering later
 
Silver dude

Silver dude

Sliders
Founding Member
Location
machesney park IL
I believe you take a 9/16 drill bit and drill the tapers out of the arms. I did the pitman arm while it was bolted. Removed the idler and did that on my bench. Its important that they are somewhat straight. I to would recommend the grassroots link. I've had about as much success with that as I do with my current SLR steering system that cost 3 times as much.

Ben
 
chuckamazuk

chuckamazuk

First Fill-Up (of many)
Founding Member
Location
Bloomington, IN
Silver dude said:
I believe you take a 9/16 drill bit and drill the tapers out of the arms. I did the pitman arm while it was bolted. Removed the idler and did that on my bench. Its important that they are somewhat straight.
Click to expand...

I did it the exact way. There are instructions on the website. You need to stay with OEM sized TRE's to maintain clearances. It is rock solid and I've never heard of a HooHaa link failing.
 
NMTerras

NMTerras

Suspension Lift
Location
New Mexico
is grassroots still in bidness? I had heard rumors...

if you do the stock replacement, get the HD TRAs and an IAB, at a minimum
 
lbishop

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
I sent grassroots an email, to make sure their still taking orders... If their not I guess i'll look elsewhere or start saving for a steering kit...



just got a reply, they are still making centerlinks
 
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chuckamazuk

chuckamazuk

First Fill-Up (of many)
Founding Member
Location
Bloomington, IN
Muadeeb said:
chuck, did the Moog TREs wind up working?
Click to expand...

The one's I got did not. I ended up going with some Beck/Arnley outer TRE's found (RockAuto) and OEBrand inner TRE's (RockAuto or Ebay, I forget). The OEBrand head is the same size as the OEM one so it allowed the steering system to work with no interference.
 
lbishop

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
alright so while im at it, im basically replacing all my steering parts...

1. grassroots centerlink
2. total chaos idler arm brace
3. ac hd tie rod adjusters

yet to order
4.beck/arnley outer tre's
5. beck/arnley inner tre's or OE brand inner tre's

Will I be ok to run beck/arnley inner and outer tre's??? I know some people have run into clearance issues with aftermarket tre's. Also, what kind of options do I have for replacing the idler arm? Should I just get an OEM since I got that total chaos brace or is their an hd version that can be run with the total chaos brace?
 
chuckamazuk

chuckamazuk

First Fill-Up (of many)
Founding Member
Location
Bloomington, IN
You can get any outer TRE you want; no clearance limitations on the outside links. You can either reuse the stock inner TREs or any brand that has the same size head of the stock inner TRE. No need to upgrade the idler arm. The brace is all you need.
 
SnickerDoodle

SnickerDoodle

Life's Better Seeing Pink
Founding Member
Location
Winlsow Twsp, NJ
Man, you lucky dog! There is not a single shop around me that will even do an alignment on my truck for me. I'm running the calmini steering kit.
 
M

metzican

Suspension Lift
Location
Lafaytte, la
^^ See this is crazy to me. I have not had one issue with any shop refusing to do work. Maybe becouse half the trucks around here are jacked up.
 
Silver dude

Silver dude

Sliders
Founding Member
Location
machesney park IL
Majority set it to the nissan specs not the lifted specs. Much easier for a lazy mechanic to pull up the stock calibration on the machine then make a custom alignment surrounding numbers you give. However, if lifted on stock specs you"ll end up with some camber.

Ben
 
D

drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
I just replaced my front suspension and the idler arm made the largest difference in the steering
 
lbishop

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
just playing the waiting game now....

anybody know what kind of turn around im looking at from grassroots... II sent the paypal but haven't heard anything

still waiting on some conformation for my idler arm brace order from orpp and my hd tie rod adjusters from ac
 
chuckamazuk

chuckamazuk

First Fill-Up (of many)
Founding Member
Location
Bloomington, IN
When I ordered my CL from grassroots he had it here in less than a week; relatively fast. AC is normally pretty good at shipping within a couple days and I've heard our ORPP dude takes real good care of us (plan to support him with a purchase soon). Be patient with the long holiday; it will all arrive before you know it.
 
chuckamazuk

chuckamazuk

First Fill-Up (of many)
Founding Member
Location
Bloomington, IN
xterror04 said:
Did you mail him your centerlink first?
Click to expand...

I couldn't remember so I looked it up.

I actually paid the deposit and shipped him my OEM CL after the fact. Purchased on June 28, 2010 and shipped on July 2, 2010. It was $344 with core and shipping; $100 refunded promptly after he received my OEM CL.
 
lbishop

lbishop

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Polk County,TN
got the hoohaa centerlink installed, and its awesome... The thing looks to be bomb proof. My steering feels tight again

anybody got the address to send the core back, The box got throwed away by mistake
 
KChurch86

KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
Location
Western Massachusetts
TKDx00 said:
Just found this thread... Great info.
If I start with the GR CL and build out, can Heim joints be used? Are they a waste of money?
Click to expand...

Pretty sure it varies by state, but I know here in Massachusetts heim joints cannot be used anywhere on a vehicle that is to be driven on public roads.

From a mechanical stand point, I'd say heim joints are worth it. Pretty sure they're stronger and more serviceable.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
 
TKDx00

TKDx00

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Location
S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
Yea I found out that all states don't allow Heims. I was trying to see if the GR CL will allow Heim's to be used as is or will it have to be modified? Since I'm redoing the heads I might as well do as much as I can while the trucks not running. This has turned into an ol'skool restoring project rather than a few upgrades. I guess I've decided to remake Steena into something slightly abnormal.
 
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Silver dude

Silver dude

Sliders
Founding Member
Location
machesney park IL
Heim joints aren't of a tapered design so they can loosen. Without the use of safety washers it gives the potential for the ball to fall out of the end. I think because they have to potential to be installed without safety washers and tapers they are outlawed in some states. However, if your state doesn't have regular vehicle inspections its installation will likely go unnoticed.
 
Jack Stilts

Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan
Silver dude said:
Heim joints aren't of a tapered design so they can loosen. Without the use of safety washers it gives the potential for the ball to fall out of the end. I think because they have to potential to be installed without safety washers and tapers they are outlawed in some states. However, if your state doesn't have regular vehicle inspections its installation will likely go unnoticed.
Click to expand...

Phew. Made me nervous about installing mine. Thanks.
 
NMTerras

NMTerras

Suspension Lift
Location
New Mexico
Not an issue where i live. As to installation, pretty much the reverse of what you have to do to take the old stuff off


Sent from my brain using technology
 
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