Ace, not sure if this makes any differance.... but the kit came with 4 studs instead of bolts that hold the steering arm and steering block in place.

After the block and steering arm are slipped over the studs there are 4 tapered things that slip over the studs to keep the arm centered.

Are studs a higher grade than grade 8 bolts?

 

I don't know if there's any issues with the steering block thing or not. I've never used one. BK was the one disagreeing with it.

But from your description, it sounds like you got a good one. Anything can be made to work right with the proper engineering. Just like some people could break an anvil in a sandbox.

 

The one I had to near get me killed had studs and split conical/wedge-washers.

That thing was installed and torqued religiously, then closely checked and retorqued periodically.

The truck was nothing radical; 1978 K-20 with six-inch springs and 15-38.5-15 tires.

Every time I checked those nuts, they would be somewhat loose.

I thought they might be backing off, so I added a lock-washer and another nut on top of the nuts already there.

Instead of the nuts backing off, the leverage of steering was actually bending/stretching the studs.

Then two of the studs broke.

When I checked it, the broken studs/nuts were just sitting loose in the holes.

That is when I parked the truck and ordered a custom-designed raised steering-arm.

400,000-plus miles later and that arm is still on there with zero problems.

This truck was a daily driver and, believe it or not, made my living for several years.

Maybe if I had only driven it occassionally, the block would have held.

The guys that convinced me to try the block also had similar results on their trucks.

 

I have a 4" lift. I have replaced the steering box, the tie rod ends, the drag link and steering stabilizer. It still wanders. I just put on the Borgeson shaft and a new rag joint. I haven't driven it yet. I hope that does it ! I don't know what is left. I had a friend suggest I check the toe in and set it at 1/8"

 

My truck drives nice with the front tires both pointing basically straight ahead - basically zero toe. I'm sure 1/8" would be too much.

YMMV.

 

I have seen nothing but similar results with every set of blocks used, by myself or others. Personally, my family is worth it for me to do it the right way.