Steersmarts Drag Link Vertical Movement

[Griff413]

I was going through and checking all of my front axle paint marks and joints after my last wheeling trip. I noticed a fair amount of vertical movement in my Steersmarts drag link at the pitman arm. I can't say i've noticed it before but I might have not been paying close attention to this joint previsouly. To anyone with a Steersmarts drag link; does yours have this movement and is this considered "normal" function of this joint? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

*Side note* I did find both ends of the Poly bushing on my Pro Series Steersmarts track bar were worn out quite a bit. Each end had about 1/8" of play when the wheel was being turned. The axle was shifting under the truck and the frame and body were stationary, it made for some questionable driving for a few days. This was after 14 months and only a few mild wheeling trips. Just wanted to share my experience in case other members might be considering specific prodcts for their rig.

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[imallcrawl]

I used the Steersmarts DL on my JKU with both 37s and 40s and I did not have that vertical movement. I would try and call them, they're pretty cool to work with.

 

[WILDHOBO]

With vertical movement there, I’d be checking to see if the pitman nut is tight.

 

[Griff413]

With vertical movement there, I’d be checking to see if the pitman nut is tight.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated! I suppose I should have mentioned in the original post that all bolts were checked for proper torque, drag link to pitman arm was to spec per Steersmarts install guide (65-70 ft. lbs.)

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thanks for the input, much appreciated! I suppose I should have mentioned in the original post that all bolts were checked for proper torque, drag link to pitman arm was to spec per Steersmarts install guide (65-70 ft. lbs.)

Any time. You checked the huge 42mm nut? I had to order a socket that big.

 

[Griff413]

Any time. You checked the huge 42mm nut? I had to order a socket that big.

Yes sir! I had to buy one too when I put a sector shaft brace in; probably the only use that things going to see. That being said that nut was torqued to 177 ft lbs AND had red loctite on it, I had paint marked that when I installed it and it definitely hasn't moved.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Yes sir! I had to buy one too when I put a sector shaft brace in; probably the only use that things going to see. That being said that nut was torqued to 177 ft lbs AND had red loctite on it, I had paint marked that when I installed it and it definitely hasn't moved.

Outstanding. Mine loosened years ago in early 2022 when the original lift was done and a shop didn’t use thread locker at all. Now it has red. I checked mine last week or the week before actually. Same. Not a single budge and the torque wrench clicked, so it’s at least tighter than spec.

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