Steering Problems after lift kit install?

glide66

Hi folks - I just installed a new 3" RHOX lift kit on my 2008 Precedent club car along with new 20" wheels --- install was a bit more than expected (especially the rear) but overall went well and it looks awesome!

But now, the steering seems a lot more difficult now - and there seems to be a bit of a wobble in the ride (coming from the front). I noticed the wobble before the install - so am now wondering if the new bigger tires are just making it more pronounced and not sure what to do next (alignment? new steering assembly, new king pin, etc.)?

Hoping you can 'steer' me the right way... lol

(and let me know if you want to see the pics)

BGW

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slonomo

First thing I'd do is check the alignment. I do this with a really straight pipe, 10 footer maybe 1/2" or 3/4" steel plumbing pipe is good. Anything that you can guarantee to be straight will work. I like steel pipe because you can roll it on the garage floor to check it to see if it's true.

Take the pipe and put it on the outer edge of the front wheel so that the pipe is extending out in front. Make a mark on the floor where the pipe is. Repeat on the other side.

Now find the true dead center of the cart in front and in back. Use a string line to connect the marks and extend it out in front of the cart, even with the wheel marks.

Now compare the center line with the side lines. They should be identical and almost all the same. I like my carts toed in about 1/4" at 10 feet in front.

Adjust your tie rods and pitman arm as needed to get it lined up.

While youre down there adjusting the tie rods, check the rod ends for play, replace if they are old and worn.

Also check your king pins/spindles. All of those parts wear too and will cause wobbling and bad steering feel.

glide66

Thanks slonomo --- I'll give that a try.

As for the worn tie rods and king pins - how do I know if they need replacing? Its a 2008 Precedent and I'm betting they've never been replaced so maybe I've answered my own question there???

The spindle was just replaced as part of the lift kit (it came with new bigger spindles to handle the 3" of lift).

I've included some pics here of what that front end looks like...

Attached Images

	front left.jpg (215.9 KB, 0 views)
	front right.jpg (216.9 KB, 0 views)

slonomo

Look on youtube to help you know what you're looking for with worn front end parts. The short answer is that you don't want a bunch of movement between the steering parts. Age doesn't really mean anything. It's the miles and how well it's been maintained.

Allmanac

Glide66 not sure if you are aware of this but drop spindle lifts are a lot more unstable at higher speeds than stock or double a-arm lifts . So if you were experiencing some wobble with the stock front end then the new spindle lift and larger wheels will be even more wobbly and having worn front end components will also add to that. I also had the RHOX 3" spindle lift for my 02 DS electric and it was pretty sketchy at 20+ mph. I ended up changing to a Allsports 4" SS double a-arm lift when my grand kids put it in a ditch and bent the control arm. The double a-arm lift is much more stable at higher speeds IMHO.