Hey guys, so I installed the PMF RSK on my 97 F350 RC last week and everything bolted up nicely and now I'm having some issues with the tie-rods. The truck drives and rides good but when making a "sharp" turn at slow speeds (like 5-10mph) the tie rods will roll forward and will not return to normal location unless I turn the steering wheel back the opposite direction sharply, then everything is fine and the tie rods will roll back to the correct location!? It drives straight with no play going down the hwy and ONLY happens when making a sharp turn at slow speeds. The adjustable trac bar and drag link are close to parallel (couple of degees different). Looks like a 3' drop pitman arm "might" help but not 100% sure. I talked with Trevor at PMF and he said the 3" may or may-not help some but is not needed, thinks there is something else going on in his opinion...The tie rods "seem" good and are OEM ford with unless than 10k miles on them. No real play in them. The truck drove good and straight before with no steering/tie-rod issues. Any thoughts or advice?

FYI-- I went with the SD U-code springs from ATS. Junior at ATS was great to work with and I would highly recommend ATS!!

 

Common for them to do that. I'd say you're good.

 

That's typical. Ruffstuff Specialties makes a delrin bushing called "The Cure" to negate that issue if it bothers you too much. My F350s all do that, even after swapping to DOM tubing and "GM" style tie rod ends. Doesn't do anything funny when I'm driving so it doesn't bother me.

 

My truck started doing the tie rod roll as soon as installed an RSK with SD springs as well. Was a bit disconcerting at first till I figured out what it was.
All my steering components are tight and pretty new, and I ended up with about a quarter inch drop, so angles are not an issue.
I did stick a polly grommet in between the tie rod and link, and that helped some.
Planning to install some better tie rods at some point, though.

 

Yeah I hear that some are having this same issue, and surprised (I guess) that it doesn't bother ya...guess that just my OCD kicking in! Haha But I really want to address and fix the issue vs "living with it".

I've talked with Ruffstuff and the tech I spoke with said they don't really have a solution for that problem. Their product "the cure" might help some but due to the design of the 92-97 F350 tie rod ends, the tapered stud is to long for "the Cure" to be effective.

 

I'm installing a 4.5" PMF with SD springs, I bought the DPA. Truck not running yet,

What is size of bolt on shackle lower that goes thru rear of SD spring?

I read 5/8 and also see M16

 

I used a standard size bolt on the rear. Honestly couldn't tell you what size, but I know it was a fractional bolt. Fit snugly. I bought the front leaf spring bolts from Ford as I couldn't find that large of a size locally. Those were metric.