TALLER tie rod end

[Fast Eddy]

You totally hit that on a rock. I see now way it broke like that from a force transferred through the drag link. Not to mention that it's bent upwards, and not twisted.

 

[chicago]

You totally hit that on a rock. I see now way it broke like that from a force transferred through the drag link. Not to mention that it's bent upwards, and not twisted.

Well... I hope you're right cuz I'm amped on getting that tie rod away from the leafs. Lol!!

I see it as plausible that the upward force against the tie rod from the leaf springs could fatigue and break that pitman from the other side.

 

[Mace]

What did the nut at the end of the rod end look like? If you smacked that Pittman arm hard enough to break it, there would be a fairly significant mark..

 

[chicago]

What did the nut at the end of the rod end look like? If you smacked that Pittman arm hard enough to break it, there would be a fairly significant mark..

Nothing! No marks what so ever.
I didn't hit the pitman arm. I'm still thinking its the leaf spring clearance issue.
Luke had an idea that it was the DS leafs hitting the pitman, but it doesn't swing over that far. He too thinks that IF the clearance was THAT TIGHT, the steering arm studs would have sheared before the pitman arm would fail.
I'm gonna take her out and flex it and get a good look see.
Either that... It was just a bad cast.

 

[chicago]

Update on this...
It turns out that the drag link hitting the spring IS the culprit for the broken pitman arm.
Had someone else turn the wheel while I watched what was going on and the whole system STRAINS.
So the easiest solution (seemingly) is to buy a set of 4x4 labs steer arms and have them bent up to clear the leaf springs.
Seeing the tension first hand, I'm amazed nothing else failed and the pitman arm was the weak link. I got lucky!!

Anyone have any issues w/ Luke's steer arms bending or breaking??

 

[TeddyBoy]

I had similar clearance issues on my SAS mini using a sky 3/4 drop pitman and TG high steer arms. Short version is about a month ago I replaced my 80 TREs with 3/4" heim joints and misalignment spacers, end result is it raised the tie rod and DL about 3/8" higher than the old TRE and now clears the top spring perfectly. This might work for you as well

Got my Heim joints from Ruff Stuff for $59 + shipping. you'll have to rebuild the linkages but well worth it.

hope this helps

 

[cruisedeisel]

I dont think heim joints are legal on the road but hey, i def shouldn't be talking.

welded steering arms

welded drag link

welded tie rod

welded diffs

i'll stop there

 

[chicago]

Lol!!
Heims were my original thought!!
However, some of my compadres talked me out of it r/t to wear and contamination issues and street driving.

 

[mwalls54]

Anyone have any issues w/ Luke's steer arms bending or breaking??

Lol!!
Heims were my original thought!!
However, some of my compadres talked me out of it r/t to wear and contamination issues and street driving.

I have seen a few steering heims fail with little to no force on them. One the heim let go and another the 3/4" bolt broke. Would be scary if its on the road and happened.
Luke's arms are about 1" plate steel and the knuckle studs would give out before the arms will.