Real Time: Saginaw won't Turn fully to right???

[bdiemer]

I just finished the Longs, Mini truck knuckles, Fj60 rotors and IFS calipers (which I did have to grind to clear my wheels). Problem is: When the birf broke on the trail it reduced steering to the left only. Now with it all assembeled I can't turn to full lock to the right. The steering knuckle stops are not hitting. Could I have screwed my Saginaw PS when the birf broke? I've searched the conversions and haven't found this issue. The tie rod geometry is un changed. I've got the front wheels off so I can try anything right now. Who has ideas or experience? Thanks

 

[bdiemer]

More pics

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Are the output splines from the steering box to the pitman arm straight or did they barberpole??
Did you disconnect the pitman arm from the gear box and possibly put it back on incorrectly??

I would recommend disconnecting from the pitman and make sure it is in the pump and not some missed peice of broken birf binding inside the housing.
Dave

 

[bdiemer]

The knuckles have a complete rebuild so no junk inside. Is it possible that I bent the Pitman? The threads look ok. Is it possible that something is "out of center" like the pitman/gearbox is skewed/ over adjusted to on side not allowing full turn in the other direction. Fyi: This is my first time to deal with pitman/ gear box and the PS pump appears to be working fine. See the new pics for more ideas please. If it is bent what is the best rout/part# to replace. Thanks

 

[bkfj40]

Pull off the pitman arm...turn the steering wheel from lock to lock.

put the steering wheel in the center and reattach the pitman arm...try it now.

bk

 

[Pinion]

As stated above, you didnt center your steering box output shaft before installing the pitman arm.

 

[bdiemer]

Here is what I have done: 1. I removed the pm arm and centered the steering box pitman shaft. 2. Reattached pm arm and checked and for full passenger turning radius--Not even close, Driverside is fine. 3. Lengthend relay rod to achieve full turning radius with steering box pitman shaft turned to full right radius. 4. Now it looks like I need to adjust the toe in and call it good.

It appears that the Mini Truck knuckle arms are longer than the original 72' knuckle arms and this threw it all out of wack. Question: What do you guys like to set toe in at? I'm at 4" spring under and 33 x 15 tires with normal (i think) shackles. I'll do a search now.

 

[peesalot]

That pitman in the pick is bent. I never seen one bent like that, good work. I also saw no right hand steering stop on the front of the axle.

 

[bdiemer]

The right hand front stop is missing. Future project. As for the pitman, I was able to adjust the relay first and then the tie rod. It all worked. I am maxed out on tightening the tie rod though, yet i have a little toe in. Got to bleed the new bad boy IFS calipers and put her shoes back on. On a side note, the pitman nut was at probably 30-40 ft lbs. This is now at 128. I'll call Kurt about the pitman, but when I do I will go with something stronger possibly high steer, make it bullet proof to match the blingy new Longfields, chromo gears, and Ifs brakes. Thanks for ya'lls advice.

 

[Sputnik40]

I also have never seen a pitman arm bent like that - both flats where it bolts to the steering gear and then the drag link end should be on the same plane - meaning if it was on the ground it would all be flat. Then - that shot from underneath shows a wicked nasty curve - not sure if that's the problem - but unless I'm wrong and it's meant the be like that - I'd replace before it fails.

Question - does it turn freely left and right - but just doesn't reach the far right turn stop? Or is it hard to turn right period - and then doesn't make it all the way?

 

[Sputnik40]

What happened to the winch cable? AND - those are really nice welds on the tube you reinforced the front cross member with to allow for the Sag conversion

 

[bdiemer]

It turned freely just didn't hit the stop. This all happened when the left front tire was climbing a boulder and turning and busted the birf and locked the turning resulting in a looooong walk and the resulting Longs et al. The winch cable failed upon first use (it is old but the 8274 is rebuilt nice by me. I do need new cable or? ????synthetic???? Anyone???? The prior PO was a damn near Angel. All work he did was done RIGHT the first time. "Thanks Mooney"credit to PO. The frenching of the saginaw is impeccable!