Thanks... that helps me prepare. Now I'm wondering about the Defiant sector support... if it's gonna be modifiable.

 

Here are the end links side by side...

The new linkage assembly has the end link already in it. The one next to it is the one that came with the new steering box.

Like I said earlier, the only obvious difference is the threads are different.

 

I will say this much.... I will never order from EMF Rod Ends again.

1st... they are in Canada which makes for expensive and longer shipping times

2nd.... it took them over two weeks to ship the rod end.

It's been a month since I placed the order. Tracking shows the package sitting in Philly for the second day now. I could drive up there and pick it up before it gets here

On edit... just got off the phone with Purolator... Canada shipping service.
Lady says it's on time... shipping schedule was 6 days.

I said... yea but it's been 12 days.

Business days... apparently if it's not a business day time doesn't exist. All of the trucks pull over and stop during the weekends?

Sounds like Obama time LOL

 

I now have everything I need. Just have to block out a day or two of down time.

 

Morning. I'm not trying to hi-jack a thread here, but i know that the steering set-up is different for the 2WD's vs the 4WD's. I know i need to flush my system, but since i've got 223k, and i'm running the 285's for quite awhile now-- my steering has been actin up lately. Like i can be running down the interstate, and hit some non-major imperfections, and the steering jumps one way or the other in my hands... it feels like an old farm truck on a dirt road some times... It's enough that i sometimes feel liek the wheels are just gonna turn whichever way they want in any given moment.... I ask this here cuz it sounds like you guys really understand the front ends of these trucks , and i'm capapble of changing parts- i just don't know what parts to change parts. I'll start a new thread if i need ot..
THanks!!

 

You dont have to worry about that cause youll never have to buy another heim joint again!

 

If I was you I would chock the wheels, get some help, crawl under the front end and have some one go back and forth with the steering and look at all of the steering components. Look for slop in the joints and slop in the steering box. Also you may have a worn steering shaft that comes from the steering wheel.

Or take it to a reputable shop and have them give it the once over. Don't wait too long as it sounds like its getting into dangerous territory.

 

What makes them hold up so well? A friend of mine is telling me they all are similar. In other words, the original is shot. What makes EMF ends last longer than say 60,000 miles? Or is it that you can rebuild them every 60,000?

 

It is rebuild able but this one is much larger and my truck has never been this stable on the road as it is with the emf joint not eaven with a brandnew fk rodend . I was replacing mine every year and that gets old!

 

I finally got around to getting my parts installed... not done but close. Job wasn't too bad. I had no interference with the fan shroud. My truck is 04. Pump was easy to replace. Steering gearbox was easy too. Getting the hose fitting lined up was a little trick.. some interference there with one line hitting another.




Also going to fix the engine oil leak that caused this.





Old box was soaked from both itself and the pump leaking.



Disconnect steering shaft.



Be sure you have the wheel well liner removed.



Disconnect this line at the firewall before dropping the box.



The three bolts that hold the box on the frame.



I used a can to sit the box on so I could remove the lines easier.



Old box was a mess.

 

Major parts removed.



Installing a new track bar end link required drilling out the mounting hole for a larger bolt.










Making spacers for the track bar end link.


Remove old pump.


Install new pulley on new pump.




Old and New pumps.

 

Pump installed. Pretty easy.


Installing box.


New pitman arm and sector shaft support fitting.


More to come. This is all I got done over the weekend. Been relatively warm but kinda wet now.

Still have to fix the front gear case leak while I have good access and finish installing the track bar and new linkage today.

 

Lookin good man! Let us know how you like the new box , good lookin truck also.

 

Thanks man. I put an EMF joint in the Thuren track bar. The original joint was totally shot. Made the spacers but had to figure out install them.

Did this.... welding wire from my mig welded to the spacers allowed me to position them while lining up the track bar to the hole. I tied a rope to the steering wheel and started it up. Pulling on the rope turns the steering wheel which pushes the axle side to side.

 

Great write up.
The track bar didn't come with the need spacers?