Hooker LT's Rubbing on Steering Column??
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>
<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?
Jake
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</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
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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" />
<small>[ December 21, 2002, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: BLKTA ]</small>
<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?
<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" />
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>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?
<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" />
<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.
<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



