steering links

[RamAirZ]

See, I told you I wasn't losing my mind

I don't think the jury has came back with a verdict on that yet

[tom4bren]

'Specially since I was comparing my sanity level to yours. That's just wrong on so many levels.

BTW, I finally found the donut. Lemme know if still needed.

[RamAirZ]

hahahaha you trying to say I'm crazy? And I'll let ya know soon, thanks tom

[Bob Barker]

Yeah the most we did with the welds was a wire brush and buffer wheel on a side cutter. It seald up nicely and didn't cause any issues. No leaks either. I ASSumed when doing all this that the axle seals being on the inside would create the seal and not the mating face of the brackets and axle tubes. Worked out well in my favor!

Oh, were you talking about the green cup rubbing the brackets? There is a tiny gap (still there with the welds) between the green cup and the brackets.

[tom4bren]

True, the seals would take care of preventing leaks. When Welder Guy & I were contemplating the mod, we decided that since the mating surface of the axle housing was machined, that it was best to grind the welds in that area smooth.

One caution (forgive me Lord for agreeing with Zeus on any matter) - Check the tightness of the bolts that hold the axle housing to the diff brackets periodically. They can work loose over time & that's exacerbated by the fact that you've significantly decreased the mating surface area. Some locktite on the threads would've been a good idea but we forgot to tell you that (hindsight it 20-20).

[Bob Barker]

Thanks for the heads up! I'll put an alert in the phone for every couple months or so to double check the bolts. If it comes down to it and they are backed out each time I think with some contortion-ing I could back them out enough and get at least a little lock tite on the threads.

[tom4bren]

I'm at work now and fixing to go finish the cross member. Here are some shots of what we did with the brackets, and the newly painted front axle.

I also painted the front axle housing and the cross memeber, which I'll share when I'm done with it tonight.

And then get some pics if it all in place under the truck, along with the CV joint angles.

Yes, please do post some pix when done. I did mine similar to that (except that I didn't paint the axle & I went with John Deere yellow)

There are more pix on page 16 of my gallery.

[RamAirZ]

purty!

[tom4bren]

Not so much now. Liberal applications of CV grease has significantly diminished the advertised luster.

[RamAirZ]

it adds character

[tom4bren]

& it prevents rust.

[RamAirZ]

true! I pulled my front end today too. fun fun

[tom4bren]

true! I pulled my front end today too. fun fun

I have no response to that!!!

[RamAirZ]

well what can I say, I enjoy it Tried to get the wife to help but she didn't want to get dirty

[Bob Barker]

Here is everything in place under the truck. I scratched the diff up a good bit when trying to get it back in place. I'll touch it up some day.



And the new angle of my dangle!