Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

EDIT
I originally thought it was the K-member (see my latest reply)

Has anybody else had this problem? I bought these headers used (2 months old) and had them installed yesterday. The driver's side header hits the k-member when I hit bumps, take-off (even lightly), and sometimes just when I turn.

There's only about 1/4" of clearance and I guess it's hitting when the engine torques or bounces?

<img src="http://www.mustangmods.com/publish/hankd/WS6/before-2.JPG" alt=" - " />

The red in this picture is chalk that I put on the K-member to see for sure if that's where the problem was...it looks like there's red on the header now (after driving down the street and back), but I didn't jack the car back up to check for sure.

<img src="http://www.mustangmods.com/publish/hankd/WS6/after-1.JPG" alt=" - " />

What really gets me is that I think the guy I bought them from knew about the problem with that header because there was a worn area right there already. I thought it was from him installing and removing them or something.

Maybe somebody can check the clearance on their driver's side? All you have to do is reach under and snap a picture. I'd really appreciate it so I could check mine vs some others...

Thoughts?

<small>[ December 21, 2002, 04:42 PM: Message edited by: hankd ]</small>

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

I would swap your trans mount for the 1LE unit. It is a bit stiffer then the OEM one; therefore, your drivetrain won't flex so much. You may also want to install a engine torque strap, to help eliminate the motor's tendancy to shift when under load. You may be able to grind a bit off the k member where the contact area is too, if need be.

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

I help a friend of mine swap out his K-member with a BMR one because he was having the same problem. Boy, that was a PITA install. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 99MONGOOSE:
<strong>I would swap your trans mount for the 1LE unit. It is a bit stiffer then the OEM one; therefore, your drivetrain won't flex so much. You may also want to install a engine torque strap, to help eliminate the motor's tendancy to shift when under load. You may be able to grind a bit off the k member where the contact area is too, if need be.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks...those are the recommendations others have given me too. I'd probably start with the trans mount and then grind on the k-member. What's involved with a torque strap?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Dr Debacle:
<strong>I help a friend of mine swap out his K-member with a BMR one because he was having the same problem. Boy, that was a PITA install. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Damn...how come I hadn't read anything about this before I got these headers??

Anybody else?

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

I just installed a new set of Jet Hot long tubes and I am having the same problem. I have yet to put it on a lift to see what can be done about it, but I will soon. Let me know what course of action you take.

Jake

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

My Hookers were too close in a couple of spots. I cut and squeezed a small, flat piece of heater hose between the header and frame. 300 miles, so far so good.

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

I had the same problem. I put the car on a lift, and grabbed a big pry bar and bent the tube (didn't dent it, but bent the whole tube) approx 1/4". No problems now.

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

Yep, that was me... Definitely a PITA install! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> Would have been much cheaper & easier to bang/bend/grind the stock k-member for clearance, but I jumped at the chance to take some weight off the nose... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Dr Debacle:
<strong>I help a friend of mine swap out his K-member with a BMR one because he was having the same problem. Boy, that was a PITA install. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Also, when i was having this problem, i couldn't find anyone who had experienced it on their car...
good luck,
Shane

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

although the headers should fit correctly from the start, seems like it would be pretty simple to just clearance the K-member

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

Damnnnnnnnnitttttt!!!

That wasn't the problem...I think the steering column is hitting. I ground out some clearance on the K-member and as soon as I pulled out of the driveway and turned the wheel I felt it. Still does it when I get on and off the gas too...

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" />

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

My MAC's were hitting the steering knuckle, so I put a torque strap on it. Also it hit so much there was a small indentation on the header. I think the dent also helped for clearance.

<small>[ December 21, 2002, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: BLKTA ]</small>

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by BLKTA:
<strong>My MAC's were hitting the steering knuckle, so I put a torque strap on it. Also it hit so much there was a small indentation on the header. I think the dent also helped for clearance.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What all is involved with a torque strap? Where did you get yours?

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

Just a simple 1" ratchet tie down from Home Depot.
I connected it from the alternator bracket to the
frame.

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by BLKTA:
<strong>Just a simple 1" ratchet tie down from Home Depot.
I connected it from the alternator bracket to the
frame.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Doesn't that look kinda ghetto? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

Hank,
Is it hitting the shaft or the bolt in the top. On the Jet Hots I installed last weekend I had to gring the head of the bolt down to clearance. May have to gring the bottom of the bolt where it comes out the bottom of the steering shaft.

John

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by BLKTA:
<strong>My MAC's were hitting the steering knuckle, so I put a torque strap on it. Also it hit so much there was a small indentation on the header. I think the dent also helped for clearance.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have the same problem, It drives me absolutly nuts. How did the torque strap hold up? Have any pictures?

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by John02SS:
<strong>Hank,
Is it hitting the shaft or the bolt in the top. On the Jet Hots I installed last weekend I had to gring the head of the bolt down to clearance. May have to gring the bottom of the bolt where it comes out the bottom of the steering shaft.

John</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well, I still haven't confirmed that that's where it's rubbing...

I just went over both headers and I just don't see how anything is rubbing. I'm starting to wonder is something else has coincidently went wrong right after the headers were done...

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by hankd:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by BLKTA:
<strong>Just a simple 1" ratchet tie down from Home Depot.
I connected it from the alternator bracket to the
frame.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Doesn't that look kinda ghetto? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Maybe IF you could see it. It's only visible from under the car, and even then it concealed pretty good. It's a trick I picked up from a GN owner. Sorry no pix.

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by BLKTA:
<strong>Maybe IF you could see it. It's only visible from under the car, and even then it concealed pretty good. It's a trick I picked up from a GN owner. Sorry no pix.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Cool...can you give me a little more detail on how you did it? Email or PM if you'd like...
hankdanford@hotmail.com

Thanks!
Hank

Re: Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
 

There isn't a set of LT's out there without some significant fitment issue....incredible...