Limits of stock steering (4WD K Series)

[bucket]

Since I've moved to the new place I've been doing a lot of light wheeling in the Burb and all has been fine, but lately it's been getting to be just the same old thing. Because of this I find myself beating on the truck more and more. I went out back twice today, the first time I had heard a minor 'crunch' in the left front when I crossed a deep rut. I've heard this noise before, but it was more noticeable this time. The second time out I hit that same deep rut, but with a lot more speed and throttle, there was a very loud "crunch/pop" from the left front. It was loud enough that my buddy that was 30 feet away could hear it. Shortly after, I noticed that while going straight, my steering wheel was sideways.

I looked everything over, but I couldn't find anything out of place (it was dark and I just had a flashlight though). Is this just normal for putting a lot of stress on the crappy stock drag link? I know a little movement can throw the wheel off center. Frame looks OK, maybe I just slightly tweeked it? Even for the little bit of "wheeling" I do with this thing, the stock push-pull steering is starting to suck.

 

[HotRodPC]

You sure the Tie Rod adjuster/coupler is right and tight and it didn't skip a few threads and throw your Toe out of whack??? You know, not your Toe, but your Toe.

 

[bucket]

I haven't measured it, but it looks alright and the truck drives normal other than the cocked steering wheel. The tie rod adjuster is on the passenger side too, I distinctly heard the noise on the driver side. I do suspect the drag link though, maybe I killed one of the two ends.

 

[crazy4offroad]

With the truck running watch the steering box while someone cuts the wheel back & forth. Have them do short 1/2 turn whips and then full lock-to-lock turns. (You know what I'm eluding to.) If the steering box is loose you'll see it move slightly. Otherwise you may get to see/hear the draglink end pop, which I'm thinking it might be the problem. It gets a lot of force put on it.

 

[89Suburban]

A half turn if the wheel is quite a bit there. Waiting to see what you find out on this.

 

[bucket]

The wheel is just sideways so that would make it just a 1/4 turn off I guess.

I quickly checked it out and didn't find anything, I'll try it again but on pavement next time. I took the Burb for a run again today and I wasn't exactly easy on it, the wheel is still sideways and didn't move at all.

 

[crazy4offroad]

If it still tracks straight, doesn't wander, and just the steering wheel is crooked I would say drag link since you adjust the wheel position with the drag link.

 

[bucket]

Apparently I knocked the steering off center at some point besides when I heard the noise. Today when I got home I spent some time hosing off some of the mud from the wheel wells. When I did the left front, I discovered that the tire had come up and kinda mangled the lower part of the front fender. So that's probably the noise I heard. I guess I need to trim the fenders. That's not supposed to be needed with a 4 inch lift and only 33's. And still has the sway bar too.

When I give everything a really good look over, I have to remember to check the center pin on the left front spring. I suppose I could have sheared it.

 

[HotRodPC]

Uhhh Yeah, you'd think 33's and 4in lift should workout just fine.

 

[bucket]

I guess the truck flexes better than I thought. A friend commented on how well it did when he saw it in action. That also explains why I find the stock steering to be a nuisance, there's often times I cannot turn one direction.

 

[crazy4offroad]

I see a crossover setup coming your way in the future!