[FarmerNic]

Hi everyone,

I recently did the front h3 swap and while I was at it I did the Mayhem Metal Works steering rack bushings and clamp kit.
Before I started this project, I had no slip in the steering at all. It felt great. But now, there’s a little dead zone in the middle of the steering that is super annoying. On the highway the pickup will walk around a little bit within that zone and it makes driving straight difficult. I topped off the fluid after doing the MMW kit. Made sure to have the cap off and turn it lock to lock a few times before closing it up. I did not swap the steering rack, and I did not touch the inner tie rods either. Outer tie rods are brand new. It’s been aligned as well. Also, I can move the intermediate shaft with my hand. Any ideas???

 

[WV NATIVE]

I had a similar experience with my MMW steering rack brace.

I solved the issue by adding a very thin shim in the MMW brace to loosen it ever so slightly.

Fixed the problem and haven’t had any issues since.

 

[FarmerNic]

I had a similar experience with my MMW steering rack brace.

I solved the issue by adding a very thin shim in the MMW brace to loosen it ever so slightly.

Fixed the problem and haven’t had any issues since.

Right in between the pieces of aluminum here?

 

[WV NATIVE]

View attachment 343190
Right in between the pieces of aluminum here?

Yes. Between the mating surfaces.

 

[FarmerNic]

Yes. Between the mating surfaces.

Ok I hammered down a copper brake banjo bolt washer and stuck it in there and tightened it real good. Gonna try it once I finish up a couple other things and let you know. Thanks a ton

 

[WV NATIVE]

Ok I hammered down a copper brake banjo bolt washer and stuck it in there and tightened it real good. Gonna try it once I finish up a couple other things and let you know. Thanks a ton View attachment 343191

That’s pretty much what I did. My shim wasn’t much thicker than a piece of an aluminum pop can.

 

[DustybirdmaN]

Any idea why this would happen? I've only heard good things about the MMW kit.....and I'll be installing one here shortly

 

[WV NATIVE]

Any idea why this would happen? I've only heard good things about the MMW kit.....and I'll be installing one here shortly

It’s not a bad thing really. It’s just machined to such a close tolerance that it fits really well. I’m pretty sure mine came with a pack of shims.

 

[DustybirdmaN]

Ah ok, so it works best with slight movement in the clamp?

 

[WV NATIVE]

Ah ok, so it works best with slight movement in the clamp?

No. Even after you add the shim the rack is rock solid. It just slightly relaxes the fit. Mine doesn’t move at all.

 

[DustybirdmaN]

Good to know, thanks man!

 

[FarmerNic]

yeah the steering seems much more solid now. Funny how that works... loosen the clamp on your rack and it tightens up the steering. Some please help me understand, lol. I would be out fine tuning it a little more but I just blew my rear u joint and dicked the driveshaft. Shit!!!

 

[DustybirdmaN]

Hahah shitty deal

 

[MainstreaM]

If the clamp is too tight, it ever so slightly distorts the the rack which affects the internal workings. If you've ever had one apart you'd see the very close tolerances inside. Shimming the clamp reduces the pressure on the rack and lets it relax back into it's allowable internal tolerances. The need for shimming is intentional due to possible differences in those tolerances. The shims should be included in this kit, look like large washers cut in half. Some trucks need none, some need on top or bottom, some need one top and bottom, then there are trucks like mine that needed both shims top and bottom.

 

[DigEm]

What this guy said ^^^^