Upgrading the steering

[VegasGuy]

After reading dozens of posts about the H2 front steering, I am going to upgrade my H2. It only has 20,000 miles and still has the OEM parts. Nothing is wrong. I just want to address some weak points before I have a problem.

What is the difference between the Cognito GM 8-Lug HD Tie Rods ($230) and the Cognito Chevy 8-Lug & Hummer H2 Tie Rod Kit ($360) beside the price. I am not sure which to buy and have yet to see a discussion on the differences.

Do Fabtech tie rods have any advantage over the Cognito's or visa versa?

As long as I'm doing that, I thought I might as well add the Cognito Chevy 8-Lug & Hummer H2 Pitman/Idler System. Others seem to like this product and strongly recommend it.

I am going to add the Rancho Hummer H2 Steering Stabilizer. I'm not sure it is worth doing the shocks at this time.

Should I add the Cognito GM 8-Lug & Hummer H2 HD Sway Bar End Links right away?

Are these parts something a handy guy with a lot of tools but no front end experience (which explains all the questions) is capable of putting on himself? About how many hours?

Am I overlooking anything that really should be done at this time?

I assume I will need to get the front end re-aligned afterward, right?

I'm trying to get a handle of this project and make sure I am not leaving something out or skipping something that would be easier to do while everything is apart. Thanks in advance.

[splne1]

Looks like you have it all worked out, Cognito and Fabtech are pretty much the same, I have cognitos on my rig.

[VegasGuy]

Thanks, splne1. I have continued to dig around and found an excellent pictorial on how to install the GM 8-Lug Pitman and Idler Arm Support Kit on the home page of the Pirate 4x4 site. That, and a few YouTube videos answered a lot of questions.

[Quijy]

LOL, I just got done doing almost the same thing. The following has been installed just last week in my h2.

MOOG pitman and idler arms
Cognito pitman and idler support kit
Rare Parts tie rods
Rancho stabilizer

What a difference that made in the steering. I have 52k on the rig and never had a problem. Like you I did it simply to prevent a problem later. I had planned to install everything on my own, but when I called around to get the alignment a very good 4 wheel drive shop offered to install all of it, and do the alignment for 280 bucks. Totally worth it because they did it in 3 hours and they had run into one problem with binding on the pitman stud after the support kit was installed. They resolved it is a few minutes with parts I would not have had in the driveway. So you may want to call around and get the work done.

I am debating on doing the sway bar links as well. Waiting on my Gobi rack to come first.

[VegasGuy]

Thanks for the info, Quijy.

What was the deciding factor in using Rare Parts tie rods? I was just looking at them and they seem pretty beefy. It's hard to tell by comparing pictures, but they seem to have a bigger diameter than the rods on either Fabtech or Cognito.

Here's a break test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRSjXnvas_8

[Quijy]

I have seen some posts of the fabtech and cognitio rods breaking. But then again the rare parts rods have not been out long. Or maybe used on the hummers as long as the others. When I took them to my 4x4 shop the guy looked at them and said, I have not seen these in about 25 years. He did say they looked like the design had been improved but basically the same old school design. He was impressed with them when done. I chose them because I figured they were a straighter design. And looked larger diameter than the fab or cog, plus I had some recommendations from others to use them. Overall I am very happy with my front end. I have no worries with possible problems in the future.

[seventwozero]

Originally Posted by Quijy

LOL, I just got done doing almost the same thing. The following has been installed just last week in my h2.

MOOG pitman and idler arms
Cognito pitman and idler support kit
Rare Parts tie rods
Rancho stabilizer

Is there a difference between OE and the MOOG's? I was looking at the MOOG's online but couldn't see a physical difference between the two really.

[Quijy]

From what I have read the quality of the MOOGs are better than OEM. They last longer than OEM as well. I had 52k on my stock parts and they did have some wear but not enough to be concerned with.