Ezgo Medalist semi lift ?

Sideways

I moved my front leaf springs over the front axle to get more clearance for the 20in tires on my 94 Medalist, the steering has tightened up considerably vs when the leaf springs were in the stock position.
It is almost to the point of needing power steering.
My question's are, is this normal ?
Can any of the steering components be loosened up slightly so the wife can drive the cart without feeling like she has been to the gym.
I do plan on making a set of longer shackles for the rear leaf springs to slightly lift the rear about an inch or so.
Any suggestions are appreciated.

BGW

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MPrimeaux

Just looking at the way my lift kit and the steering is made on my medalist, I expect what you're experiencing is the tie rods are now angled down from the center pivot. If you look at the aftermarket lift kits, there is a piece that bolts to the spindle that raises the attachment point for the outer tie rod ends to put them back closer to level. I think, if you didn't modify the way your tie rods attach to the spindle that's probably what's going on. As far as the rear goes, I don't see why longer u bolts and a spacer wouldn't work. My after market kit is just a bracket that bolts to the axle and allows you to attach the springs on top of the axle instead of underneath. The only issue you may run in to is your shocks might not reach. The aftermarket kit also raises the attachment point for the rear shocks.

Sideways

MPrimeaux I looked at it again this morning, you are exactly right, a small section of the tie rods are just barely rubbing the leaf spring (without any weight in the cart) it probably gets worse with added weight.
How much space does moving the tie rods give you?
Thanks for the heads up.

StoveBolt

You need spindle arm risers, give All Sports a call.

The two parts in the center of picture below the axle



You will also need to adjust your toe-in too.

MPrimeaux

That's right. Keep in mind, the risers are fabricated according to the amount of lift. If you look at the two parts in the center of the picture in this comment, you can kind of get an idea of what it will look like, but the amount of rise will be more for a 6" lift than a 4" lift, etc. If you only flip your springs, I would you should only need enough rise to compensate for the thickness of your "axle". I don't know you or your situation and I don't want to overstep, but lift kits are fairly cheap brother. Have you looked into just purchasing one? I'm a DIYer too, but I don't think I can buy the metal to make a lift kit for what I can buy one for and it will come with all of the hardware and everything. I think they're a little over $100 on ebay. I don't mean to sound arrogant, I realize that $100 is $100, but it might save you a lot of trouble. Just a thought.

Sideways

Thanks guys for your input.
I ended up having my brother in law heat up and bend the spindle arm up with a torch.
It's an old hot rodder's trick that worked, I have about an inch clearance between the tie rods and leaf springs.
I'm gonna fab up some longer shackles for the rear to level the cart up.
Thanks again.

StoveBolt

Nothing like a hotrod mechanic.

Sideways

MPrimeaux

Good deal brother.