Ram assist advice.

[darwink1]

I need some advice from the experts.Ive had a clunking and a dead spot in my steering since I picked up my pile. The problem seems to be that when the ram assist cyl extends the whole steering link rotates on the tie rods and "bottoms them out". The way it was set up, the ram is not parallel with the link. We're thinking this can easily be solved by rotating the link so the 2 ram mounts line up keeping the ram parallel. This is what we plan to try anyhow. In the pic below you can just make out the ram between the links and can see the shaft end mount on the tie rod. The ram is higher at the axle mount and lower at the link mount.

What I was hoping to get some advice on is the swivel balls at both ends of the ram. The barrel end swivel at the axle mount has some play in it and my buddy has offered to machine it and press in a hardened shim. This would eliminate the little bit of play but Im wondering if getting rid of the swivel ball would have any negative effects. There would still be a swivel at the ram end but if the ram is parallel to the link would the swivels still be needed?

Its all apart now so Im going to mess with it on the weekend and see what I can come up with.D

 

[CruisinFJ60]

turn one tie rod end one way and the other the opposite and it will stop the rod from twisting and changing the ram angle and also your clunk.

 

[mookie]

i would venture to guess that the mounts for your ram aren't lined up right in relation to the draglink bar.....and i can't remember if you want the ram to be parrallel with the drag link bar when the wheels are centered or parallel with the draglink when your turned all the way but i think the latter. i could be wrong though

 

[Chop Shop]

It doesnt matter if line it up very badly or get it perfectly parralel.

It will still flip flop. Ya either need to pin the body end down or swivel the tie rod ends like said already.


The only way to get away from the flip-flopping rod with swivel ends if ya dont want to turn the tie rods or pin one end is to mount it to its own steering arm. Then the ram will push straight on to the knuckle with a straight shot, not pushing on the SIDE of a tie rod tube.

 

[mookie]

imo it'll flop less if you get it straighter, if too far off it don't matter what you do the ram will tear itself loose or straighten your tie rods etc

 

[darwink1]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Please clarify the "pin one end" statement...

Ill snap a couple pics later on to get you a better shot of the set up on the axle/steering link.

D

 

[darwink1]

Well yesterday I put the ram back on then today I added fluid and rotated the tie rods like cruisin suggested. I also greased the tie rods and the steering shaft u joint. The clunk is gone and so is 98% of the dead spot I had in the steering.

Thanks a bunch guys!

D

 

[4rnr]

Late advice:

Your ram looks plenty parallel.

 

[darwink1]

Meh, maybe in that pic but it is at a downward angle frpm ps to ds when compared to the link.

D