How to move steering linkage

[Clark Griswold]

I was told you can move the steering linkage. If anyone knows how, let me know. I only need like less then 1/4" so my crapsetters don't hit.

[ellik]

there is a bolt in the center of the linkage (should face up when wheels are strait, ant its just to the right of the drivers header as you are looking into the bay) I cant remember size... but loosen it up (do not take out) and then take a screwdriver and put it in the slot where the two pieces of the linkage slde together and just pry them apart a little bit and re-tighten the bolt. If you get the front end up on jacks, you can turn the wheel while you are playing witht he adjustment to make sure its not rubbing anymore. real simple... you'll see what Im talking about when you look in there.

[Clark Griswold]

The bolt is definitely at the end. :(

[ June 18, 2004, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Clark ]

[ellik]

you sure? I had to give mine a little 'persuassion' using the screwdriver as a prybar to get it to slide at all, then it really didnt take much.
If your sure there is no play at all left, you could take a grinder to the knuckle on the linkage and round it off a bit. if that still doesnt work, dimple the primary like you first suggested. Id be hesitant to do that though, as you might crack it or put a pin hole in it and get a leak. It really didnt take much at all on mine, and I had it double gasketed too before I got it to seal.

[hawgs]

uhh... when I was working with my linkage there was a slot on the shaft where the bolt went through. I don't see how the linkage can move up or down.

[ellik]

yeah, its a slotted connection. you loosen that bolt and then with a scredriver in that slot, you can sort of pry the 2 pieces of the shaft apart, you know, sliding them apart on that connection. once you get it where you want it, you tighten the bolt back down. I guess I dont know a better way to describe it.

[hawgs]

I know what youre talking about but I think that youre missing the notch in the shaft where the bolt has to rest.

[ellik]

Originally posted by hawgs:
I know what youre talking about but I think that youre missing the notch in the shaft where the bolt has to rest.

now im confused and ive fixed mine. (im just talking... err, typing out loud here) the bolt goes through one fork of the lower piece of the shaft, through the slot of the upper piece, then back into the opposite fork of the lower piece which is threaded to accept the bolt, correct? Once you tighten the bolt back down, it compresses the two forks of the lower piece of the shaft around the upper, using friction to hold the two pieces in place where you adjust them. I guess I never noticed a notch. Maybe the bolt isnt in this notch anymore, but it still seemed to work for me. Nothing is falling apart.

[hawgs]

haha... great, now were both confused. I will try and take some pictures of what I am talking about tomorrow.

I dont know if this makes sense to you but imagine this is the shaft... on mine there was a notch (in the picture where it goes in) that the bolt slides through between the two fork peices and holds it in place.

This would be a side view of the shaft:
___
|..|
|..|
|.|
|..|
|..|

[ellik]

lol.... pictures via Morse code. Scary part is it kinda worked. I think I know what you mean. I dont remember noticing that on mine though. Maybe it was there and I just forced it apart and re-tightened it down outside of that notched area not knowing otherwise. Would make sense as to why it took some leverage to 'extend' the linkage, but it really wasnt all that much prying either... I was kinda gentle about it, not wanting to break anything.
Kudos for the improvised pic!!

[Clark Griswold]

The outside park has a hole. The inside part has a slot and it's already extended as far as it can go. I actually took the inside part out too far.

There is no way I'll settle for this crap. I have to email pacesetter now and demand money back or new headers that fit. But knowing them even if by some miracle they do send me new headers, now I'll have to customize my y-pipe all over again. I might get CIAs and try to return these and get some money for labor. This is so ridiculous. I'm going to hit something sooner or later with this weird steering.