Drag Link rubs against shock (1 Viewer)

[Nevinsj]

I installed the HFS 4 inch lift and all new OME steering rods, (all my old ones were bent) all adjusted to basic lenghts listed in haynes, yet if I install my drag link with the tie rod grease fitting up it will rub against my shock. I do have the drive train installed, but no body weight. Is it a matter of getting all the weight on, so the drag link will be lower in relation to the shock absorber?

Joe

 

[grant5127]

The grease fitting should be up, that end only goes in one way due to the taper of the arm hole & end stem....the rub is a common problem with aftermarket shocks that are too fat.... tweak that rod a bit to gain clearance.......

 

[Nevinsj]

Thanks, the shocks are pretty thin for aftermarket, do you think when it is fully assemblied the weight will bring it down, where the shock angles outward?

 

[FJ40zen]

Make sure you have your axle centered.

 

[D'Animal]

Mine rubbed so I went to a Saginaw AGR setup. No more problems.

 

[65swb45]

On my FJ, I simply cut the shock mount tab off of the axle tube and outboarded it closer to the knuckle. There is more than enough room to do this and eliminate the problem SAFELY.

You should NEVER bend a steering tube.

Best

Mark A.

 

[fj40forlife]

Mine made A HUGE grind mark that is about 5 up and down from the travle. It most be pretty thin know i bet. but then i went ps lol

 

[D'Animal]

Joe

What brand, type and diameter of shocks are you running? It should not Rub and as Mark said, do not bend you steering linkage.

 

[Nevinsj]

There the HFS shocks, I bought them from CCOT with the 4 inch HFS lift kit. They look to be about 2 1/4 inch in diameter.

Joe

 

[wfd175]

I'm having the same rubbing issue with my 4” Safari Suspension kit from Man-A-Fre. It was already installed when I purchased the 40. I have the OME long travel shocks that come with the kit.(Model #?)


It's so tight I can't slip a index card through the gap, and there's a skid mark on the shock. The steering is also a little squirley when I hit a bump while in a turn (on pavement), almost like bump steer, straight line it's managable. I think the contact bewtween the shock and link is influencing my on road handling. I haven't checked the alignment.

Is the one of the better solutions to move the lower shocks outwards towards the knuckles? Switch not a narrower body shock?

 

[fireflyr]

I think I had the same problem with the Safari 4" lift and OME shocks. Check out this thread before you cut or order anything.

Pat

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/231298-man-fre-safari-4-suspension.html

 

[wfd175]

I think I had the same problem with the Safari 4" lift and OME shocks. Check out this thread before you cut or order anything.

Pat

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/231298-man-fre-safari-4-suspension.html

I had read the steering box slide before when I was searching. I couldn't find the post back. Thanks. It's an option.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I had read the steering box slide before when I was searching. ... It's an option.

It doesn't sound like an option at all.

 

[wfd175]

It doesn't sound like an option at all.

Why? Not trying to be a S.A. just trying to find a reasonable solution.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Why? Not trying to be a S.A. just trying to find a reasonable solution.

I meant it's not optional, but probably required to get it working the way you want.

 

[wfd175]

I meant it's not optional, but probably required to get it working the way you want.

Gotcha. You're right. I need to do something. I have a message in to man-a-fre.

 

[Downey]

2.250" shocks are actually on the larger side of life. OEM's are under 2", Bilsteins are exactly 2", and alot of aftermarket (good or poo-poo) is 2.1875 to 2.5000. Slick old Algazies idea about moving the lower mount outboard is probably the best remedy.

 

[Nevinsj]

Well I tryed to slide my steering box towards the engine, but on my 74 with two studs in the the mount, I don't think I moved it a hair, I still have the same problem.

 

[wfd175]

I rec'd the response back form Man a Fre yesterday about the problem. Their advice was to move the lower shock mounts.

 

[Plowboy]

Could you possably remove the top shock cover, it's just to keep water and dirt out, and replace with a rubber cover that attaches to the bottom portion of the shock and the shaft on the top?