steering
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 45
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From: western N.Y.
steering
I hear and feel a clunk in the steering of my 48 1/2 ton when I steer hard right. Haven't jacked it up yet but can rotate the draglink back and forth some but not forward and back. Are there bearings in this piece? should it be tighter? Will appreciate any advice as to what to look for when I do jack up front end. Terry
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
steering
Terry, these guys don't know anything about '48's - lol
Drag link: It is a hollow tube with a split keeper that surrounds the ball on the pitman arm (other end is identical) There is a spring in there between the keeper and the screw-in plug. Plug is held in place with a cotterpin.
It's really a weak link, but is designed to take up some of the shock from bump-steering as you wander down the highway.
Don't cramp the wheel from stop to stop too hard - you'll end up with damage to worm gear and/or sector roller.
Entire steering system is made up of 8 joints each of which wear. Add up a little here and a little there and you get a bunch. The only way to find out where your clunk is coming from is have someone else turn the wheel while you're under the truck with your hand on the parts. Replace whatever clunks - and let us know what you find on the 48-60 forum......
Drag link: It is a hollow tube with a split keeper that surrounds the ball on the pitman arm (other end is identical) There is a spring in there between the keeper and the screw-in plug. Plug is held in place with a cotterpin.
It's really a weak link, but is designed to take up some of the shock from bump-steering as you wander down the highway.
Don't cramp the wheel from stop to stop too hard - you'll end up with damage to worm gear and/or sector roller.
Entire steering system is made up of 8 joints each of which wear. Add up a little here and a little there and you get a bunch. The only way to find out where your clunk is coming from is have someone else turn the wheel while you're under the truck with your hand on the parts. Replace whatever clunks - and let us know what you find on the 48-60 forum......
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 1
From: East Central Florida
steering
Hey Tim,
You're 100% right on, about tp using correct forum for answer to his query, I agree completely. . . BUT
No offense, we may not discuss 48-60 FPU's here, but it doesn't necessarily mean we all are not familiar with them altogether.
On Drag Links, I had one of those "shoes" that contact/hold the ball stud, along with a tensioning spring, break causing just such that sort of "clunk". I believe the tensioning spring failed 1st. The sloppy play allowed shoe to get askew & crooked then break. I'm not certain, but that's what I suspected anyway.
I replaced both "shoes" & the spring, I packed them in chassis lube, reassembled the end & readjusted the tension. It solved my problem. In addition, it also restored sensitivity to steering feel.
FBp
You're 100% right on, about tp using correct forum for answer to his query, I agree completely. . . BUT
No offense, we may not discuss 48-60 FPU's here, but it doesn't necessarily mean we all are not familiar with them altogether.
On Drag Links, I had one of those "shoes" that contact/hold the ball stud, along with a tensioning spring, break causing just such that sort of "clunk". I believe the tensioning spring failed 1st. The sloppy play allowed shoe to get askew & crooked then break. I'm not certain, but that's what I suspected anyway.
I replaced both "shoes" & the spring, I packed them in chassis lube, reassembled the end & readjusted the tension. It solved my problem. In addition, it also restored sensitivity to steering feel.
FBp
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 13
From: Waynesville, OH
steering
TP,
I'm sorry we didn't give you advice on how to adjust the drag link in your first post. It's just that there are a whole bunch of other things it could be and it didn't seem (to me at least) like giving you details on how to set up the drag link was the best way to help you check out your steering system overall.
Anyway, here's an illustration of your drag link and the shop manual text on how to adjust it. I still think it would be a very good idea to get a shop manual and look over the whole section on the steering gear. Good luck with the problem.
DRAG LINK ADJUSTMENT. Remove the cotter pins from each end of the drag link. Tighten each drag link plug until the drag link ball springs are fully compressed. Back off each plug to the first cotter pin hole, than install new cotter pins.
I'm sorry we didn't give you advice on how to adjust the drag link in your first post. It's just that there are a whole bunch of other things it could be and it didn't seem (to me at least) like giving you details on how to set up the drag link was the best way to help you check out your steering system overall.
Anyway, here's an illustration of your drag link and the shop manual text on how to adjust it. I still think it would be a very good idea to get a shop manual and look over the whole section on the steering gear. Good luck with the problem.
DRAG LINK ADJUSTMENT. Remove the cotter pins from each end of the drag link. Tighten each drag link plug until the drag link ball springs are fully compressed. Back off each plug to the first cotter pin hole, than install new cotter pins.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: western N.Y.
steering
To mtflat and others. With truck front jacked, had steering wheel moved back and forth. No clunk. Moved tires in/out ...a soft clunk and a bit of kingpin movement on right side. greasing the fittings quieted this. That'll help for a day or two. Took off drag link and took apart. Spring closest to pitman arm was broken in two spots. Ball of arm is slightly out of round as well. Rubber dust covers both mostly gone. Looks like I got my work cut out for me. Thanks for your help. Terry
