[cc_strong]

Couple questions for you cc_strong. Did you look at HBS products as a choice for your front end upgrade? I only ask because their steering box brace looks identical too PSC's. And a little off topic but I noticed in one of the pics some two wheeled machines in the background. Is that a Ironhead Sporty I see? :thumbsup:

Good eye on the Sportster. Yes it is an 82 Ironhead. As far as the brace, why I picked the PSC over HBS:

1. There are a few threads running around here, but it is confirmed that PSC is the ONLY brace that is not having clearance issues. Both Carli and Thuren recommend the PSC over the HBS (and over BD) because of the clearance issue with their products (specifically their sway bar).

2. The HBS is an inferior design to the PSC. See exhibit A:

Notice how the PSC brace, the portion where it mounts to the steering box has a plate that runs the width of the brace and is welded on the sides, you also cannot see but it is welded on both the backside and the underside of the steering box mount.

Here is the HBS, see how the mounting plate is just kind of stuck on the the inside of the brace and welded? This makes a stress point of the brace and though it may or may not fail, wouldn't you want to choose a better design to begin with?

You can test this theory of strength at home if you desire. Glue anything to the same design as this and see which one hold up best.

 

[2500 IRONHEAD]

That's cool! I have a 71' in a rigid frame.
NO convincing needed there! With the up close photos I can see the under cutting of the parent material by the welding process. Guess I know who's I'll be buying. Thanks for the reply and great write up! :thumbsup:

 

[cc_strong]

That's cool! I have a 71' in a rigid frame.
NO convincing needed there! With the up close photos I can see the under cutting of the parent material by the welding process. Guess I know who's I'll be buying. Thanks for the reply and great write up! :thumbsup:

Nice, building a generator shovelhead into a Krafttech frame right now.

 

[2500 IRONHEAD]

Nice! Love me a Shovel! You on the Jockey Journal by chance?

 

[Skyd Ram]

Nice writeup!

2. There are no torque specs for the damper clamp, but I will ask Thuren on monday and post. I severed two of his bolts during tightening. Either I dont know my strength or they were cheap bolts. I will replace the original bolts with stainless bolts tomorrow. I only paid like $80 for the clamp, but if I did this again I'd use KORE's clamp KORE Steering Stabilizer Bracket, 2008 Style Large Diameter Tie Rod

I'm not sure what Don recommends for his clamp but the spec for those bolts on Carli's billet high mount clamp is 30 lbs. I have used clamps like that in the past on some Jeep projects and the specs have also been around 30-40 lbs.

That being said I would stick with the factory clamp (although ugly) before I woudl spend $220 on the KORE clamps.:S:

 

[cc_strong]

Nice writeup!



I'm not sure what Don recommends for his clamp but the spec for those bolts on Carli's billet high mount clamp is 30 lbs. I have used clamps like that in the past on some Jeep projects and the specs have also been around 30-40 lbs.

That being said I would stick with the factory clamp (although ugly) before I woudl spend $220 on the KORE clamps.:S:

True. I am happy with the Thuren clamp now. I sanded it all down and re-sprayed it and got some high quality stainless steel bolts. I'm still at under $90 for it. Not too bad. I think I could still find a way to justify spending the extra cash for the KORE clamp. Thanks for the torque specs, sounds about right. By the way, thanks again for the Bilstein damper. This one came from you.

 

[Irish Carbomb]

Like others have said great write up. Appreciate your response too. I understand better what your goal was with the upgrade. Reason I asked about upgrading to a Thuren/Carli sway was that most feedback is it softens the "jarring" when going over smaller type bumps; driveway approach, speed bumps, etc. Curious if u are getting that result?

 

[NorCaler]

Don't mean to interrupt, but I got those results with better quality shocks as compared to the OEM shocks.

 

[Steepwheat]

Did the Bilstein damper make it harder to turn the wheel over the stock unit or is it not noticable?

 

[cc_strong]

Did the Bilstein damper make it harder to turn the wheel over the stock unit or is it not noticable?

It made it smoother. I didn't notice any difference in toughness or easiness. Just smoothness. Its a feel kind of thing, and it feels a whole lot better now. Feels like the steering in my other diesel, my VW Jetta. :thumbsup:

 

[cc_strong]

Like others have said great write up. Appreciate your response too. I understand better what your goal was with the upgrade. Reason I asked about upgrading to a Thuren/Carli sway was that most feedback is it softens the "jarring" when going over smaller type bumps; driveway approach, speed bumps, etc. Curious if u are getting that result?

I only got this "jarring" when the steering wheel was turned either direction and going over bumps. It has been eliminated. As far as jarring over bumps in straight line, that would be an issue with springs/struts. Depending too, bad end links could have a similar effect.

 

[Rob66]

Hi, I'm new to Cummins aftermarket and just got a new to me 04.5. My end links are shot so I would rather replace them with something quality and am going to do the brace/stabilizer too.

My question is about the 7100, on Carli's site it says 03-10 with 08.5 steering, will this work on my 04.5 or is there some kind of upgrade from the 08.5 trucks?

Thanks.

 

[cc_strong]

Hi, I'm new to Cummins aftermarket and just got a new to me 04.5. My end links are shot so I would rather replace them with something quality and am going to do the brace/stabilizer too.

My question is about the 7100, on Carli's site it says 03-10 with 08.5 steering, will this work on my 04.5 or is there some kind of upgrade from the 08.5 trucks?

Thanks.

You will need this Mopar Factory Steering System Retrofit 2003-2009 Dodge 2500-3500 4x4

 

[cc_strong]

Don't mean to interrupt, but I got those results with better quality shocks as compared to the OEM shocks.

Which results?

 

[NorCaler]

Which results?

I was responding to irishcarbomb's questions just above mine. These new shocks have done wonders for the ride quality.

 

[andrelopez99]

What's the PSC part #, your link directs to the poly performance steering brace..

 

[cc_strong]

What's the PSC part #, your link directs to the poly performance steering brace..

It's stated in the description below the picture on the link. P/N PPM-8559-04

 

[NorCaler]

I know I said it once, but I'll say it again. This is a great thread with some great pictures. Thank you for the time you spent putting all this together.

 

[pa coal roller]

my 2012 steering is bad i hate driving my truck. I did put a steering box brace from hell bent and it help a little than i replace steering damper with bilstein 5100 series and it made it a little better but i am still not happy still play in the wheel when towing. i just think there is something wrong or loose on my truck it just has to much play more play than my dads 06 with 70000 miles on it and still has stock parts. it think my steering box is shot.

 

[cc_strong]

my 2012 steering is bad i hate driving my truck. I did put a steering box brace from hell bent and it help a little than i replace steering damper with bilstein 5100 series and it made it a little better but i am still not happy still play in the wheel when towing. i just think there is something wrong or loose on my truck it just has to much play more play than my dads 06 with 70000 miles on it and still has stock parts. it think my steering box is shot.

Did you check the inner drag link? Mine failed at 6000 miles, was warranty work. This is what pursueded me to put this kit together. If your steering still feels worse then look into having the dealership investigate, if nothing comes up and you want to fix it yourself start with a new track bar and end links.