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lift kit/steering problem

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by rojo2, Jan 18, 2005.

  1. Jan 18, 2005
    rojo2

    rojo2 New Member

    arkansas
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2005
    Messages:
    5
    Howdy
    Iam thinking about buying a 3'' black diamond lift kit,but i heardit will affect my steering i have a 1980 cj5. the guy at the 4x4 store said if i install a drop down pitman arm it would solve the steering problem
    if anyone has any experence i could use the info.
    thanks 4 any help
    rojo1
     
    rojo2, Jan 18, 2005
    #1
  2. Jan 19, 2005
    abnsigo

    abnsigo New Member

    El Paso, TX
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
    Messages:
    26
    I've heard that without the dropped pitman arm you will suffer from bump stear. Not sure though. I've got a procomp 2 1/2" with 1 1/4" shackles totaling a little more than three inches. I went ahead and bought the dropped pitman arm and have had no issues. I did end up dropping my tcase though to get rid of the driveline vibes.

    Good luck with the lift.

    Casey
     
    abnsigo, Jan 19, 2005
    #2
  3. Jan 19, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    3" is right on the border line. You may or may not need a dropped pitman arm to correct bump steer. A 4" lift does for sure, a 2.5" lift does not... The dropped pitman arm is by far the most common way to correct the bump steer problem, but not the only way. It may prove to be pretty difficult to get the pitman arm off, you'll need a strong pitman arm puller, some PB-Blaster spray, and maybe some heat. Be careful, they can come off unexpectedly when the puller is applied and the arm is stuck...

    Another way to correct the tie rod/drag link angle is to move the tie rod and drag link rod ends (TREs) from the bottom of the knuckle to the top of the knuckle.
    This requires drilling out the holes in the knuckle arms and installing inserts to reverse the taper so the TREs can be installed from the top instead of the bottom.
    Here's one place that sells the inserts:
    http://www.goferitoffroad.com/products.htm
    Before attempting this type of modification, you need to do alot more research on clearances, etc.
    HTH, good luck
     
    lynn, Jan 19, 2005
    #3
  4. Jan 19, 2005
    sternbal

    sternbal Member

    Nashville, TN
    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2004
    Messages:
    104
    I'll second the strong pitman arm puller. I broke a Harbor Freight cheapie last weekend. What did I expect for $6? Don't take the nut all the way off, to the arm from flying off.
     
    sternbal, Jan 19, 2005
    #4
  5. Jan 19, 2005
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    you only broke one? gees last time i took a pitman arm off we broke 5 in one day. including 2 forged heat treated ones... IIRC the shop he then took the jeep to broke one more.
     
    mb82, Jan 19, 2005
    #5
  6. Jan 19, 2005
    sternbal

    sternbal Member

    Nashville, TN
    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2004
    Messages:
    104
    The remains of the pitman arm puller happened to be just the right size to brace my cheap tie-rod puller, and kept the arms from spreading apart.
     
    sternbal, Jan 19, 2005
    #6
  7. Jan 19, 2005
    Dave_g

    Dave_g New Member

    SE Wisconsin
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2004
    Messages:
    3
    Re: lift kit/steering problem - pulling pitman arm

    I replaced the steering box on my '79 CJ-7 last year and wanted to reuse the pitman arm. I first tried one of the common pullers that I got from the local Auto Zone. All it did was flex and start to spread open when I applied some substantial force to it. I next pulled out my good OTC puller - still couldn't budge the arm. I then added heat with a propane torch - still no luck. Finally, I applied "fast" heat to the arm with an oxygen/acetelene torch while the good puller was installed and loaded. Within a minute or so of starting to apply the heat, the arm popped right off. The key is to get the arm hot without heating up the shaft.
     
    Dave_g, Jan 19, 2005
    #7
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