Metal Cloak vs Synergy/Yeti?

[dayusmc]

Thank you so much. I will be doing all three of my Steer Smarts Sector shaft braces like this.

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[willys 41]

Thank you so much. I will be doing all three of my Steer Smarts Sector shaft braces like this.

Two other things
Put the double nuts on the back side. If They are on the front side they may hit the pitman arm
I used 1/8 in. thick case harden washers on both sides
They will not crush or deform

 

[Deadpool392]

I ended up using both. Meatalcloak and synergy. Used the Meatalcloak one with the bushing and their nut. Ended up finding out after the fact that there was just a trackbar brace. I ended up with the synergy sector shaft brace as well and using both. Now it's captured on both sides. I like the synergy one better because of the gusset on it. With the Meatalcloak one it's more secure to the frame.

Question for you regarding the Metalcloak brace, I see your pitman arm nut is marked. I just installed mine today and marked it as well, but I noticed after going for a drive it was no longer lined up. I had my son turn the steering all the way both directions, and my pitman arm nut rotates as the steering moves, which seems correct to me. I checked it and it is still torqued down, so my question is— Does yours also rotate with the steering and if so how do you know by sight if it starts working its way loose?

 

[PuddleJumper]

I have the steer smart put there is a problem with the steer smart and Synergy
The two bolts that hold the bearing housing to the brace will always come loss no mater how much loctite you use
To solve the problem on the steer smart I drilled 5/16 hole through the bearing housing and mine is now through bolted and never loosens up
Synergy new update version now comes with a through bolted bearing housing and I think is the way to go
You will notes a huge difference with a good sector shaft brace

Did u have to lift to fit the MC? Thier website says a lift is needed for track bar clearance. I have a Mojave with 3/4 spacers. Idk if it’s enough though

 

[willys 41]

Did u have to lift to fit the MC? Thier website says a lift is needed for track bar clearance. I have a Mojave with 3/4 spacers. Idk if it’s enough though

I can't speak for MC put Synergy and steer smart the stock and most after market track bar WILL hit if you don't have at least 2'' bump stops. I tried several different bands and all hit the sector shaft bearing housing when the right side suspension is completely compressed
What I ended up using was the Synergy track bar. It is bend to clear the sector shaft brace

 

[Rusty PW]

I have the steer smart put there is a problem with the steer smart and Synergy
The two bolts that hold the bearing housing to the brace will always come loss no mater how much loctite you use
To solve the problem on the steer smart I drilled 5/16 hole through the bearing housing and mine is now through bolted and never loosens up
Synergy new update version now comes with a through bolted bearing housing and I think is the way to go
You will notes a huge difference with a good sector shaft brace

I have the Smartsmart brace too. My bolts have never come loose.

 

[Minty JL]

MC FTW

 

[willys 41]

I have the Smartsmart brace too. My bolts have never come loose.

Mine did. several times.
So I ask my locale 4x4x shop about the bolts coming loss.
I was told that they stopped installing them for that vary reason and that's when I decided to find a solution

 

[dayusmc]

@willys 41
Just a thought, but maybe if you sent Steer Smarts and email telling about your fix they might incorporate it into a design change. They have to know these are coming loose. Even Synergy changed theirs for the same reason.

 

[willys 41]

@willys 41
Just a thought, but maybe if you sent Steer Smarts and email telling about your fix they might incorporate it into a design change. They have to know these are coming loose. Even Synergy changed theirs for the same reason.

I already did about 6 months ago . They did not seam interested in what I had to say.
I did the through bolt upgrade on the steer smart before I found out Synergy had redesigned theirs.
On a another note.
Last month I installed the PSC big bore hydro steering
I had also contacted steer smart about 6 months ago about a sector shaft nut for the big bore steering box and they told me it was in the processes of making one.
Last month I received there new sector shaft nut but the threads where wrong and I was told they are making new ones with the correct threads.
Not wanting to wait I ordered a sector nut from Synergy not knowing if it would work with steer smarts sector brace.
It works. They must use the same sealed roller bearing.

 

[dayusmc]

Curious if the synergy bearing plate with the through bolt fits the steer smarts Sector shaft brace.

 

[Deadpool392]

I have the MC brace, it is a pretty solid unit. I wasn't trying to fix a problem just adding a little more bracing. If you want a much more robust steering box take a look at the PSC website. No brace necessary.

SG691R (pscmotorsports.com)

Question for you regarding the Metalcloak brace, Did you mark your pitman arm nut after you torqued it? I just installed mine today and marked it, but I noticed after going for a drive it was no longer lined up. I had my son turn the steering all the way both directions, and my pitman arm nut rotates as the steering moves, which seems correct to me. I checked it and it is still torqued down, so my question is— Does yours also rotate with the steering and if so how do you know by sight if it starts working its way loose?

 

[Jteakus]

Where did you put the corresponding mark, on the brace? If you did it won't work. The nut rotates with the shaft every time you turn the steering wheel. I don't know where you could mark it to just eyeball it. I tightened it and let it ride.

 

[willys 41]

Curious if the synergy bearing plate with the through bolt fits the steer smarts Sector shaft brace.

I don't know. I don't think it would fit

 

[Deadpool392]

Where did you put the corresponding mark, on the brace? If you did it won't work. The nut rotates with the shaft every time you turn the steering wheel. I don't know where you could mark it to just eyeball it. I tightened it and let it ride.

Just across the nut onto the brace, same as any other bolts or nuts that get torqued. I guess I should have paid closer attention when I checked the clearance to make sure nothing got hung up or hit before final torque down. Thanks, I did loctite all the bolts also so it shouldn’t be a problem.

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