<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> a lot of people tell me the torsions bars shouldn't have anything to do with it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Jim...
Raising the ride height by cranking the torsion bars up (increasing the "Z" height) has quite a bit to do with it actually. Until someone builds a 2" lift kit that maintains the correct steering geometry what else are we going to do? I have increased my "Z" height by 1 inch over stock specs. 37 inch tires also increase the amount of strain on the steering. I expect GM to start refusing steering related warranty claims on trucks with lift or oversize tires.
Checking the steering linkage with truck jacked up by jerking on the wheel doesn't give a truly accurate indication of wear as it tends to twist the centerlink. Some twist of the centerlink is normal and you won't overcome it. I can move my tire atleast an inch with one tire off the ground and my idler/pitman arms are still good. Instead pull the skid plate and grab hold of the centerlink then try to shake the link up and down without twisting it and see if you can feel any slop in the linkage. If you can feel slop then one or both arms are bad. Idler arm is mounted on passenger side frame fail and pitman is mounted on steering gear.
If the dealer is replacing the arms under warranty let him have it. If you are having to pay out of pocket get the old parts back and bring to K-Rocks with you as I am interested to see where the wear is occuring at. I will try to explain better then.
Don
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