Steering help

[CanadianAR]

Hey guys,

I have a 1987 SN 30,000ish M998 A0….

I had Play in my pitman arm, and have been working to replace all the stuff like this anyways.

So I order the newest and best retrofit kit from HPG. The $800 one with new idler, pitman arm and centre link all heaviest etc. moog
Problem
Solvers.


well I can’t get it to work. I’ve been a diesel tech for 20 years and can’t get it to go.
Pitman arm on, into Center link. Ok
Put idler on Center link, it’s a long way away from the holes in the frame. Like an inch. I pushed it a bit to see but I can just see it flexing the steering box…..making it fit will damage it I am positive.

Tried different ways of assembly, loosening the steering box bolts and adjust , nothing.
it’s like the centre link is bent or misbuilt. Unless there’s some instructions with some pretty wild steps, I’m out of ideas, After 6 hrs I gave up and put the bow further ruined original stuff back in to drive home


Any idea before I order the basic bitch A0 arms.

 

[osteo16]

I think there are like 1" bushings for the idler to frame mount... Just throwing that out there...

 

[CanadianAR]

Yeah I got those. At this point I think the Center link is mis built. When you mount to pitman arm it slopes heavily to the right side, resulting in the idler being way way too low. I’ll likely need a replacement

 

[osteo16]

any photos ?

 

[CanadianAR]

any photos ?

I don’t have any, I had to put my truck back together with the old s
Crappy parts I removed lol. So photos were not in my mind

I order prev gen A2 arms so I’ll try again this weekend and confirm my issue and take a photo.

 

[Bulldogger]

That's odd. I rebuilt my 998 with the newest, beefiest Moog parts and never had any fitment issues. Kinda sounds like an old part number is mixed in with newer ones, causing this fitment issue.
Keep at it. The improved strength in steering is great peace of mind!
BDGR

 

[CanadianAR]

That's odd. I rebuilt my 998 with the newest, beefiest Moog parts and never had any fitment issues. Kinda sounds like an old part number is mixed in with newer ones, causing this fitment issue.
Keep at it. The improved strength in steering is great peace of mind!
BDGR

You’re new idler, it has standoffs built into it, and you use the existing ones on the frame right?

yeah it’ll get the big stuff eventually but can’t disassemble and put the old stuff back on again. And can’t leave it at work.

milk update this weekend. I think the bar is bad.