Oh Snap! A Steering Upgrade Options & Considerations Write-Up

[Jerardisflossin]

I am not following why RC's bushing cant be a part of this discussion. While I agree that RC has questionable suspension products, a bushing is a bushing. Paying 10 times the cost for a name is not something I fancy.

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[87-Z28]

Tie rod and CV angles with bearing forces updated for kinematics wrt full shock travel. This is for my rig which is at “near” SAS ride height with 6.3” of shock travel and 9.5” of wheel travel.

The zero (origin) of wheel travel represents full droop for OEM SAS shock length. Notice angles go negative as wheel gets fully stuffed in compression. Bearing forces are normalized to worst case OEM SAS geometry at full drop.

notice angles and bearing loads are very small at OEM SAS ride height. A 3” spring lift increases ride height and thus normal operating loads and angles. A spacer lift increases both ride height (normal operation loads) as well as maximum possible loads due to increased full droop travel (from effective shock length increases).

 

[BAUS67]

a bushing is a bushing.

Well I can say the 74Weld uses plastic and bronze. Not just plastic like RC. HUGE difference between the two.

 

[Jerardisflossin]

Well I can say the 74Weld uses plastic and bronze. Not just plastic like RC. HUGE difference between the two.

And that comes with a new cap that is designed for that bushing, no?

 

[87-Z28]

@V1Rotate
Hopefully the OEM design envelope resides within the shock travel limits. That was the reason to normalize bushing forces at full droop. As you said, spacer lifts will increase full drop and likely extend forces outside of the design envelope. Possibly causing catastrophic failure.

It is interesting that a 3” spring lift pushes the shock equilibrium position or ride height very close to full droop. And although this may be within the design envelope, bushing loads at normal operation are double that of the intended ride height. Possibly resulting in longevity issues.

 

[87-Z28]

Well I can say the 74Weld uses plastic and bronze. Not just plastic like RC. HUGE difference between the two.

also materials matter. All plastic is NOT the same. Friction, wear, strength (peak stress), toughness (area under stress vs strain curve). Some real thought with intended purpose is required.

 

[popo_patty]

The 3.0 backorder is over at this moment, however the 2.0 racks are now backordered. Of course that changes daily these days!

That’s good to hear! I know someone still waiting for one but maybe they are an anomaly

 

[Strizzo]

Might also mention the icon tie rods as a tie rod upgrade option.

Also, do the hoss 3.0 ford performance tie rods fit the hoss 2.0 rack?

 

[scotman623]

Another excellent write up my friend..

 

[BAUS67]

And that comes with a new cap that is designed for that bushing, no?

Yes it does come with a cap. And still less than the competitors cap that does not include the bushings.

 

[5GENIDN]

I am not a shock guy and I am absolutely certain there are a number of people on here that know more about it than I do and I would ask them to correct me where I am off.... but I believe that the shocks we are using have variable dampening based on piston positioning. As in the dampening in the center of stroke is considerably less than the dampening towards either end of the stroke.... So If you have adjusted the ride height to where the shock piston is riding toward the bottom of the cylinder I believe it is in an area that has a higher dampening rate making small bumps much stiffer and then as it travels upward it will move through a much larger travel region that is softer dampening, which is a much larger travel distance through soft dampening than was designed for a supple ride.

 

[seananigans]

Hi, I have 37s and adv fenders without a lift. Took it off-roading and haven’t had any issues. Since I didn’t lift, my suspension geometry should be the same or no?

 

[userdude]

Thank you!

 

[Heckler]

that’s why it surprises me that very few kits offered out there come with a Dif drop, that’s been standard with IFS lifts for years with the trucks lifts, it’s that or Portals to get lift while maintaining proper Angles.

One thing for the masses to keep in mind which I’m sure you know is that ANY lift changes tie rod and axle angles therefore increasing the impact of load, not just a spacer lift. The only real difference between a spacer lift and a coilover lift (or perch collar for that matter) when it comes to angles is that the latter will limit down travel and the former does not limit down travel, only adds to it.. Since a spacer lift doesn’t limit down travel it will quickly expose the tie rods and other components to angles they were never even close to being designed for or intended to survive.

 

[Heckler]

so true! If I’m not mistaken the BB bushing is Delrin (Acetal), while it is a great material where low friction is needed it does not have good impact resistance, not that this part would receive heavy impacts in most cases but I myself would prefer the oil impregnated bronze that 74Weld uses. I have machined a lot of Delrin, it’s a great material but I personally wouldn’t recommend it for this application.

also materials matter. All plastic is NOT the same. Friction, wear, strength (peak stress), toughness (area under stress vs strain curve). Some real thought with intended purpose is required.

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