Twisted splines on ye olde sector shaft

[nukegoat]

Primarily, this sort of thing will happen if you have a positive scrub radius in the front (think wheel spacers with stock wheels - that's what I run) and you're coming downhill. Try going over a rock and holding the wheel straight - the bulk of the fatty 80 will put enormous stress on the steering components.

For what it's worth, even this degree of spline twisting resulted in my steering wheel being out by about 120 degrees.

 

[nukegoat]

Oh, and you can thank one of the most mellow trails at the hammers for this.

 

[BadReligion]

Well that doesn't look good. At least it didn't break entirely. Might be time for the 105 series shaft upgrade.

 

[retrofive]

Well that doesn't look good. At least it didn't break entirely. Might be time for the 105 series shaft upgrade.

Right?

2012 - Sept - Cruising the Woods 057 by retrofive, on Flickr

 

[BadReligion]

^ is the drag link bent too in that pic?

 

[retrofive]

^ is the drag link bent too in that pic?

Probably. That's MT's old rig that Brian bought (not recalling his screename on 'mud at the moment). Pic was from 2012 or so, don't recall the details other than coming down a trail and snap.

 

[Douglas S]

Been there. Did the 105-Series sector shaft upgrade.

This is why I would never upgrade steering links on these trucks.

 

[nukegoat]

Been there. Did the 105-Series sector shaft upgrade.

This is why I would never upgrade steering links on these trucks.

Because you like having a weak link? I'm not really into that school of thought but I hear you. I just carry a spare steering box. I need beefier links to withstand impact.

 

[Douglas S]

Because you like having a weak link? I'm not really into that school of thought but I hear you. I just carry a spare steering box. I need beefier links to withstand impact.

I'd rather carry spare steering links than a spare box.

 

[scottryana]

Not sure how available boxes are now? I know a few years ago they were tough to find and about $2200 new.

 

[nukegoat]

I'd rather carry spare steering links than a spare box.

I hear you but I'm pretty sure the stock drag link can still twist the splines so you'd need to carry both....

 

[Howard705]

Neighbors stock '92 soccer hauler sector broke off on the street.

 

[retrofive]

Neighbors stock '92 soccer hauler sector broke off on the street.

And they call these mall cruisers!

 

[Howard705]

Illinois roads are some of the worst...

 

[Stylo07]

And they call these mall cruisers!

I knew I should have gotten an Explorer...

 

[Douglas S]

I hear you but I'm pretty sure the stock drag link can still twist the splines so you'd need to carry both....

Hence the 105 shaft upgrade. I have a spare box in my garage if absolutely needed.

FWIW I twisted the stock shaft on stock size tires, no spacers or any nonsense like that.

 

[Rwhat]

I did this last Memorial Day weekend. Drove it back home and didn't notice it. Thought it was tracking bad because of the bent rear control arms. I must have slid off and hit a boulder.

Luckily I didn't bend the sector. I did replace the whole setup with the trail gear one. Although I dont like the weak link being the box now, but the price was good for all of it.

 

[OGBeno]

Par for the course on any 80 series that gets wheeled. These are probably all bent.

I do know of someone who will have a rebuilt steering box with 105 series sector shaft in the near future.

 

[nukegoat]

I did this last Memorial Day weekend. Drove it back home and didn't notice it. Thought it was tracking bad because of the bent rear control arms. I must have slid off and hit a boulder.

Luckily I didn't bend the sector. I did replace the whole setup with the trail gear one. Although I dont like the weak link being the box now, but the price was good for all of it.

View attachment 1082153 View attachment 1082154

That's the tie rod

 

[nukegoat]

I think hydro assist will alleviate my concerns moving forward.