74WELD Steering Rack Clunking - Check Yours!

[SierraBronco]

2+ years with the stage 3 rack and no issues so far. I did at one point try to give the 2.0 rack away, but thankfully I still have that in case something goes wrong. I don't think it was a nothing burger (Ford did make an effort to put the 3.0 in several models over time), but perhaps, y'know, not worth the literal thousands spent on a "one-time" fix for sure. Tie-rods or die!

Wild that half the poll responses have the clunk and half do not. For those that do have it the feedback is “it’s supposed to do that. Don’t worry about it.”

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[SierraBronco]

The point of being transparent about how this is handled is to:
Allow people considering to do business (any product) with 74Weld to know how "issues" will be handled.

Issues are expected. Nothing is perfect. I totally get it. I'm willing to deal with the hassles as necessary. 74weld was a new player with no track record initially to help us early adopters. And yes we trusted things would be as described.

74Weld products are not cheap (thousands to tens of thousands of dollars). Their reputation and support will determine their future.

And absolutely we were duped by the marketing. “We have X years of racing experience! Aerospace! Precision! Expensive machines! Made in USA with lifetime warranty!”

We paid more based on the “buy once, cry once” notion to buy quality to have slightly less problems, and better support when problems do arise, as they often do when it comes to anything made by humans.

 

[userdude]

Wild that half the poll responses have the clunk and half do not. For those that do have it the feedback is “it’s supposed to do that. Don’t worry about it.”

Well, if you look closely, it actually says "No, clunk". Like, "NO. *clunk*" What's the clunk?? Why not just "No clunk"?? Maybe there was a momentary second of electrical fizzle and we're ALL GONNA DIE!! Oh yeah, Happy New Years!

 

[TruckCamper]

Got a call back this morning from Chad @ 74weld. He offered to rebuild the rack and said the clunking would be resolved.

Will plan to pull the rack when they have time to work on it later in January (waiting to confirm schedule).

That's the most I could ask or expect. Would be happy if this all works out. Will keep you guys posted.

 

[SierraBronco]

Got a call back this morning from Chad @ 74weld. He offered to rebuild the rack and said the clunking would be resolved.

Will plan to pull the rack when they have time to work on it later in January (waiting to confirm schedule).

That's the most I could ask or expect. Would be happy if this all works out. Will keep you guys posted.

That’s good to hear!

What will they be doing with the rebuild? It seems confusing as we were previously told it’s not an issue and the clunking is normal. But if a rebuild fixes the clunking, that would suggest the clunking is in fact a problem that needs addressed

 

[TruckCamper]

That’s good to hear!

What will they be doing with the rebuild? It seems confusing as we were previously told it’s not an issue and the clunking is normal. But if a rebuild fixes the clunking, that would suggest the clunking is in fact a problem that needs addressed

It's only a problem if it bothers you... so I was told. Strength is not compromised.

They know there are issues with the design. That's the real reason it was dropped... but that's hush hush.

 

[TruckCamper]

Well... I've been calling weekly. Talked to Bill twice. Left a message once. Sent multiple emails (no reply). When I've talked with Bill he told me I'd receive an email and phone call back for schedule... Nothing.

Is this normal customer service? Or maybe spending $4k isn't enough money??

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

My clunking is still there too...even after I installed a real bearing in the pinion cap. This holds the pinion a bit better, and keeps it from moving as much, but it's still an ISSUE. When compared to the custom skytrax gearbox that I bought (for using a Sidewinder 200hp sled engine with an airplane propeller) the customer service is TERRIBLE... I mean, it was a similar situation where there was only twenty boxes originally produced, and since they were prototypes, they had a few issues here, and there. HOWEVER, the machinist at skytrax was ahead of the curve, used the parts on his own plane, and more than willing to completely redesign, and modify oiling gallys, clutch engagement, and venting issues quickly and free, He sends out updated parts FREE, and emails monthly with any updates and/or customer reports of ANY issues. RELIABILITY IS #1 PRIORITY!!! 100% perfect service!!!

Prices are nearly Identical. And machine work is similar. Just 2 very opposite business models and customer service.

What a bummer for the 4wd world...Now Quinn is off catering to his newest market the Toyota nerds, and the race crews get ALL of his undivided attention.

NOT HAPPY.


https://aeroendeavor.com/badlands-t...ft-stol-builder-assist/SKYTRAX-USA-c184908312


Similar in design and materials to a 4x4 portal.

 

[TruckCamper]

My clunking is still there too...even after I installed a real bearing in the pinion cap. This holds the pinion a bit better, and keeps it from moving as much, but it's still an ISSUE.

Chad illuded to the bearing being the issue... But wouldn't say it was a design issue or common or anything like that.

It does seem that they got the money from the Bronco crowd and now on to the next. Seems you run out rather quickly at this rate...

 

[SierraBronco]

My clunking is still there too...even after I installed a real bearing in the pinion cap. This holds the pinion a bit better, and keeps it from moving as much, but it's still an ISSUE. When compared to the custom skytrax gearbox that I bought (for using a Sidewinder 200hp sled engine with an airplane propeller) the customer service is TERRIBLE... I mean, it was a similar situation where there was only twenty boxes originally produced, and since they were prototypes, they had a few issues here, and there. HOWEVER, the machinist at skytrax was ahead of the curve, used the parts on his own plane, and more than willing to completely redesign, and modify oiling gallys, clutch engagement, and venting issues quickly and free, He sends out updated parts FREE, and emails monthly with any updates and/or customer reports of ANY issues. RELIABILITY IS #1 PRIORITY!!! 100% perfect service!!!

Prices are nearly Identical. And machine work is similar. Just 2 very opposite business models and customer service.

What a bummer for the 4wd world...Now Quinn is off catering to his newest market the Toyota nerds, and the race crews get ALL of his undivided attention.

NOT HAPPY.

He sends out parts and fixes when he discovers an issue? That’s weird. My experience with aerospace is “oh, yeah. We know that thing that’s happening is a problem. But it only happens to people that REALLY wheel. It’s fine.”

Skytrax must not be a legitimate aerospace manufacturer.

 

[TruckCamper]

Since the last update I've been calling weekly...
Bill in customer service quit answering the phone and doesn't respond to voicemail or email. Chad was answering the phone up until KOH. My patience has run out. Sent this email to Quinn, Bill & Chad this morning.

"Bill in Customer service is a joke. He doesn’t respond to email. IF he answers the phone he doesn’t follow through. He won’t answer voicemails.

I’m going public with this entire situation if it is not resolved this week. Yes, I have a YouTube channel with 7,500 subscribers and known on multiple forums being in the Bronco and Toyota worlds for many years.

Having issues isn’t the trouble… it’s how they are handled.

Peter"

 

[TruckCamper]

Quinn called. Basically the same conversation been having... I told him we'd pull the rack tomorrow. He said they can turn it around in a day. Will keep you guys posted.

 

[userdude]

Quinn called. Basically the same conversation been having... I told him we'd pull the rack tomorrow. He said they can turn it around in a day. Will keep you guys posted.

Good luck. It'd be sad if you have to have a mob on hand online to get the rosy handed pass along (with no joy!), but I guess that's the era we live in. "I got three peeps on Twitter X! Don't fuck with--" "Yeah, just taze him, nobody cares amirite??"

 

[TruckCamper]

Pulled the rack. In route to 74weld. Suspense is mounting...

 

[TruckCamper]

74weld received the rack on Monday. Verified the clunking. Put it in a new housing. Shipped out today (Wednesday). Huge props for them stepping up and quick turnaround. Will install this weekend and test.

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