looked at a couple of threads but got tired of reading of all the flaming going on...i have read that there is a steering gear brace....is this true? where can i get one...??? i have a 06 mega cab. 5.9 turbo

 

it is true, several of them exist. wise investment imo

DSS

Defiant

Lazarsmith SSSSS

but your steering popping could also be from somethings else, more details on when it does it?

 

thanks for the links...i will check them out

it only pops once in awhile not all the time....and only when turning. just one pop then nothing...turn the other direction and maybe a pop again...i noticed the other day when i went through a auto car wash that the pop wasnt as loud or harsh...shrug....i guess i need to get a neighbor to hang on under my truck while i drive around the block....... j/k. i have the steering upgade linkage..th AE model.. but the popping was before that anyways. just the popping started after the 2" lift and all those bolts are tight...

 

kind of sounds like the classic loose track bar bolt syndrome...really crank on the frame side. or maybe dry ball joints. How does the steering feel? unless you have play in the sector shaft on gear box the brace, even though it is a good idea, probably won't solve the popping.

as soon as i figure out my strapping system for riding under the truck and performing "what the **** is that noise" diagnostics i will let your neighbor know

 

I had a popping on an 05, when you cycled the steering back and forth

Turned out to be a dry right side tie rod end.

Lubed it up, no more popping

 

Mine was popping pretty bad too in slow moving, turning, situations. The "ultimate track bar hardware" by Lazarsmith fixed it. http://www.lazarsmith.com/SSSSS.html

The stock trac bar bolts were moving in the mount. Not any more.

..

 

http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo....er=BORG-000951

Also, some guys have had good luck replacing their steering shaft with a Borgeson unit.

..

 

I have the defiant. I don't like the BD as the 90 degree bend on the ends looks week; needs a gusset.

Pete

 

I replaced my stock track bar bolts with grade 9 fine threaded bolts, 9/16 by 2 1/2" with a locking nut. The bolt is a little bigger than the metric bolt that it comes with, but not by much. It still fit through the lazersmiths offset bushing, but it was tight.

My steering linkage is totally wore out, the 2 outside ones that are greasable are still fine. Guess I'll see how good my extended warranty is.

 

how difficult is the sssss to install? Im not very inclined to steering/ suspension repairs but smart enough and inclined to save some$$$ thanks

 

easy, save your $$

http://solidsteel.biz/install_dss.htm

 

swampdiesel,

I have the defiant and it took about 30 minutes to install. The ssss looks more stout, but still shouldn't take that long. Remember to support the sway bar with a jackstand when you loosen it or it will swing down and possibly hit your head.

If you consider the defiant, Paul is awesome to deal with and it's only around $165.

Pete
(xploretx)

Pete