Twisted splines on ye olde sector shaft

[maxamillion2345]

FWIW I'm thinking I'd like to move from a 1.5"x8"x1" to a 2"x8"x1.25" ram, hoping it'll slow down the steering a bit but I have tons and a different pump so... ?

Just throwing it out there

 

[nukegoat]

FWIW I'm thinking I'd like to move from a 1.5"x8"x1" to a 2"x8"x1.25" ram, hoping it'll slow down the steering a bit but I have tons and a different pump so... ?

Just throwing it out there

Your steering is too fast? Or just twitchy on-road? Or... what?

I was thinking 8x1.5 made sense for me because of the stock pump.

 

[White Stripe]

Ya I would just go ram assist.

 

[maxamillion2345]

Its a little twitchy, tracks straight just kinda sensitive.

 

[BadReligion]

This might be a dumb question but is there any way to set up hydro assist with a valve that can be shut off during normal street driving, then easily opened when off pavement?

 

[cruiserdan]

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

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

Exactly. I view the stock tie rod tubes as fuses of sorts. Beefed up tubes transmit much more force to the steering arms and the sector shaft.


Not a good idea to put a 30 amp fuse in a 10 amp circuit.

 

[maxamillion2345]

This might be a dumb question but is there any way to set up hydro assist with a valve that can be shut off during normal street driving, then easily opened when off pavement?

Not that I can think of, even if you shut off flow to your ram, the ram would need to be able to push fluid in order to turn

 

[nukegoat]

Not that I can think of, even if you shut off flow to your ram, the ram would need to be able to push fluid in order to turn

Three way circuit. You short circuit the ram.

 

[nukegoat]

Exactly. I view the stock tie rod tubes as fuses of sorts. Beefed up tubes transmit much more force to the steering arms and the sector shaft.


Not a good idea to put a 30 amp fuse in a 10 amp circuit.

I still disagree with this idea and even more, the fuse in this case will still be too strong. people still yield splines on stock linkages. Would you run weaker links to ensure failure?

 

[Douglas S]

I still disagree with this idea and even more, the fuse in this case will still be too strong. people still yield splines on stock linkages. Would you run weaker links to ensure failure?

I think with the 105 shaft (which is significantly larger) it's the links that will yield or, ideally, nothing will yield. I don't think of it as designing the system with a fuse, which is something I've never been a fan of. Rather it's upgrading a part of the system that is weaker than all of the other components.

With that said I still prefer to replace a link than swap a box if it comes down to it. Same way I'd rather replace a driveshaft than a transmission.

 

[cruiserdan]

I still disagree with this idea and even more, the fuse in this case will still be too strong. people still yield splines on stock linkages. Would you run weaker links to ensure failure?

I agree to disagree...........

 

[ReformedJeeper]

Hey Nukegoat how did you know your sector shaft splines were twisted? I went through motina wash yesterday (took the optional more difficult lines) and landed hard on one particular obstacle. After that my steering wheel is off by about 30 degrees. Tie rod and drag link appear straight. Did you have to pop the pitman arm off to know what happened? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Douglas S]

Hey Nukegoat how did you know your sector shaft splines were twisted? I went through motina wash yesterday (took the optional more difficult lines) and landed hard on one particular obstacle. After that my steering wheel is off by about 30 degrees. Tie rod and drag link appear straight. Did you have to pop the pitman arm off to know what happened? Any advice is appreciated.

I can't speak for nukegoat, but I did mine in with a wheelie at the crest of a hill climb. It could be clearly seen above the pitman arm with everything still installed in the truck.

 

[ReformedJeeper]

Ok, cool. My splines that are visible are straight. Thanks for the info.

 

[MDarius]

I agree to disagree...........

So, @cruiserdan, are you saying the stock setup is your preference? What conditions would warrant a change up? Any?

I haven't had a problem with mine, but when my son wrecked the '95 the sector shaft sheared. Nothing else appears bent or broken, but I haven't started taking that apart yet. It's just got me thinking. Now that I have a locked to take care of I'm thinking more about the things I once overlooked.