Steering issues after lift

NewtoBuggies

Hello my on line experts. I have finally gotten back to the father son project we started a couple years ago. I was able to get the new-used rearend and motor in and we put the cart back together. We didnt get to drive it much after the lift was installed due to the motor stuck on shaft issues. with that history and now that its up and running here is the question - i still have the 205/50/10 tires and wheels on it and it has a buggies unlimited lift (about 4 to 6 inches overall i cant remember which). The steering wheel is out of wack (no longer in the centered position -upside down). When driving it, it steers much sharper to the left than the right and the steering is incredibly tight. Im no mechanic but i can get through most things. Steering however is a downfall of mine. Any words of wisdom are helpful. Thanks in advance - Jeff

BGW

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smackdaddy66

Very important to do an alignment on these after the lifts are installed. To see how far you are off, measure the distance between the front tires from the front of the tires, and from the rear if the tires. I'm sure you'll find plenty of posts on here for more info on that. As for the tight steering, it could be related to the alignment issue.

BowHuntinFever

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...alignment.html
Here's something from the Stickies that might help you out.

miker

iv'e had some when you tighten the spindle bolt to tight nothing moves check to make sure one's not to tight,i lot of carts came off of courses who knows what happened to them. drive the cart forwards a few feet and jack up the front take a look and measure

NewtoBuggies

Ok i checked the distance between the tires in the front and rear portion of the tires. I have about 1/4 inch less distance in the front compared to the rear of the front tires (lack of better term - pigeon toed). I also, for giggles, put the grease gun to the points able to be greased. There are lower control arms if you will that adjust the castor camber (top of tire leaning in or outward) hope thats the right term. I did adjust those when i first installed the lift because the tires were seriously tilted outward at the top afte the initial install. I looked at the steering rack and mount location and they look okay to me (not bent) - although the steering wheel thing happened after i installed the lift and was normal the moments before the lift was installed. I will post a picture of the set up from the photo album of before and after so it gives a better visual of the lift.

NewtoBuggies

Sorry guys, I thought I would be able to just cut and paste from the photo album on here but I need to take some new pictures of the after anyway and upload them so I will post them here and in the album "Before, During and After".

miker

factory wheels look straight before lift ,then it's another ball of wax, turn your wheel so it's straight,jack up the front look towards rear if it's that far off you'll see it,, or use a straight edge. I just did one stock wheels were straight rode nice put on the lift driver side straight I could see the inside of the hub taking such a hard right turn.i don't think parts are made with the closest of specs.everything has to be played with,some lifts don't have a lot of adjustment

NewtoBuggies

here is a picture of the cart now

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IMG_1171.jpg (260.7 KB, 0 views)

NewtoBuggies

this is the front end

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IMG_1175.jpg (199.8 KB, 0 views)

lockman1

Here's something that might help:

1) Drive your cart straight for about 15 feet, stop, and park it! (with the steering wheel out of whack)

2) With the cart on all 4 tires, Disconnect the tie rod end at the spindle,
(coming from the steering gear box to the spindle.)

3) With the tires straight, and the tie rod disconnected, turn your steering wheel straight/upright,

4) Adjust that tie rod to fit in the hole of the spindle without moving the tires or the steering wheel,
(hopefully the tie rod is long enough/short enough to make the full adjustment)

5) Reinstall the tie rod to the spindle, tighten, and test drive.

6) Readjust if necessary to get it as close as possible... THEN, if need be... remove the steering wheel and center it!