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Issues with it being hard to turn right or left after header install

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Old 09-07-2011, 08:20 AM
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Default Issues with it being hard to turn right or left after header install

Anyone know what might be going on? When I turn right or left, it's like there is some kind of hitch and it's like I don't have power steering. I really have to fight the car to get it to turn. Only started doing this after header install. Any help would be great.
Old 09-07-2011, 08:25 AM
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First place I'd look is the steering linkage that runs right next to the driver's side header.
Old 09-07-2011, 09:02 AM
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Did you remove the steering shaft to install the headers?
If so, is it back in the same way?

Check for interference with the shaft like this:
Turn your wheel all the way to left lock and take a look at the shaft to see if there is interference. Then do the same turning the wheel to the right.
Old 09-07-2011, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Z28_Driver
Did you remove the steering shaft to install the headers?
If so, is it back in the same way?

Check for interference with the shaft like this:
Turn your wheel all the way to left lock and take a look at the shaft to see if there is interference. Then do the same turning the wheel to the right.
I had a shop do the install, so not sure if they removed the steering shaft.

When I look for interference, do I just look directly under the car where the headers are at? If there is interference, will it be very noticible? Also, if that is what it is, is it an easy fix?

Last edited by Rise of the Phoenix; 09-07-2011 at 10:17 AM.
Old 09-07-2011, 11:21 AM
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You'll be able to see any interference from the top...just jack the front of the car up so the front wheels are off the ground. Unlock the steering column and have a buddy turn it back and forth.

If the linkage is hitting the headers, the fix is to get a set of headers that fit properly. It really just depends on how bad the interference is...

Removing the steering linkage to install headers is pretty common...it makes it much easier to fish them into place on the drivers side.
Old 09-07-2011, 01:21 PM
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I had this issue when I installed Pacesetters on my V6. The steering linkage was rubbing against the header, so we simply filed off the corner of the knuckle and didn't have any issues after that
Old 09-07-2011, 02:35 PM
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I have seen this on an LT1. It was so bad we had to hit the primary with a hammer to get it to stop hitting.
Old 09-07-2011, 06:04 PM
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did you put in new motor mounts???
Old 09-08-2011, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by V68Sweep
I had this issue when I installed Pacesetters on my V6. The steering linkage was rubbing against the header, so we simply filed off the corner of the knuckle and didn't have any issues after that
I looked last night and that is exactly what my problem is. What did you use to file off part of the knuckle on the steering linkage? Metal file?
Old 09-09-2011, 12:54 PM
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Or you could dimple the header with a small ball-peen hammer...
Old 09-09-2011, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Rise of the Phoenix
I looked last night and that is exactly what my problem is. What did you use to file off part of the knuckle on the steering linkage? Metal file?
I thought it sounded like my past issue!

I had a shop do the install (I was like 17) and after I brought it back to have them check out the weird knocking I was feeling in the steering wheel, we realized the knuckle was rubbing the header. Then, he just took an electric grinder, one with a cone shaped head and grinded it down in like 5 seconds. Worst case scenario I'm sure you could just slowly grind it down with a file!

Just file for a few minutes, then start it up and turn the wheel; rinse and repeat until it clears
Old 09-10-2011, 09:58 AM
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A die grinder is the easiest to buzz a little off the nuckle. A file or any other type of metal abrasive will get the job done.
On some engine swap projects in the past I have dented the headers slightly for clearance. Probably won't help you with them already in the car, but you might do it on another project.



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