leveling kit possibly causing problems on rack?

[baddodge03]

So i have a 02 dodge ram 1500 4.7 4wd and my rack and pinion went out 2 weeks ago out of know where, the driver boot was floaded with fluid and there was a hole In it so it was pouring everywhere, I had it replaced and it was working for 7 days today I was backing up and as I turned the wheel all the way to the right it started making the same loud noise it did a week ago when it went out, drove it about half a mile parked it and looked under to find both boots were leaking out of the seals so i know it went out again, I did get a remanufactured one from autozone with a lifetime warranty but heard they are cheap and won't last as I seen first had, how ever what might have caused this to go bad again?? I do have a leveling kit that was installed by a shop with shocks and all, but I also just put some 35" nitto trail grapplers on 18" rims on I would say about a month before it went out the first time. Some say its the lift some say its the oversized tires, others think its just a bad rack, any thoughts?? I need help!

 

[schroederMP]

Welcome to the forum!

How far did you go up when you leveled it? If you went over 2.5" on the level then yes, its the level that is causing you CVs to bust open. You'll keep busting them to. When the shop leveled it did they install new leveing keys or just crank on the factory torsion keys?

Measure you ride higth...if your front is half inch to an inch higher than the rear, your way past what the factory CVs can handle.

And such and extreme angle on the CVs can make them bind up...causing more problems

 

[baddodge03]

I got torsion keys, that were 2" so the shop did it right but when I took it to the the tires put on the kit there said it wasnt going to clear unless he cranked the torsion keys higher, so he did wayy over 2.5" ans the ride sucked so I took it back the next day and he cranked them back down alot but I think its a little past 2.5" in front now. So that would be causing the seals in the rack to bust your saying? Thanks again for your input I appreciate it alot! Would it be wise to just crank the keys down a little more or get diff CVS that may handle it, or is that possible??

 

[schroederMP]

The shop guy is an idiot. The 02-05s and clear 35s stock. Crank them back down to were your level or just a little under level.

I'm not 100% sure on if this is your problem with your seals...it very well could be. With it binding it you never know. Once you crank your keys back down factory CVs will be fine. You wont need to get "special" CVs. If you want to keep your ride hidth the way it is now Kore makes a "high angle" CV...but they are about $700 a piece if I remember right.

Just crank em back down and you'll be good man.

 

[baddodge03]

Lol ya I didn't know it cleared till after it was all done but ya they do clear, OK cool ill do that and keep everyone posted with what happens. Ya I know but it sounds about right to me, won't hurt lowering them down a little, and ya I'm not going to get new CVS that's too much lol, but thanks again! Sick truck btw! I'm assuming that pic is yours?

 

[schroederMP]

If you crank them down your self...do even amount of turns on both sides...take it for a good drive...then come back and measure your ride hidth on a level/flat ground. Taking it for a drive will settle your suspension so you get accurate messurments. Make sure you get another alignment after you get it were you want it...it will be off again.

And thank you...yup she is mine

 

[baddodge03]

OK will do, ya a buddy of mine knows what he is doing ill have him help me out and ya just kinda sucks because i just got an alignment like 3 months ago after it was all done with the leveling kit and tires but hopefully that will help

 

[schroederMP]

Good luck...hope it works out for ya

 

[baddodge03]

it happen again

so since i lowered it down to level height in the front with the back and i replaced the rack again it was good for about 2-3 months but it happen to go out again! before it was only lasting a week but when i lowered it back down it lasted 2-3 months, i know the pumps still good because i can hear it and its worked everytime i have replaced the rack, they have been 3 rebuilt tacks that i put in now, what should i do next? alot of forms say that rebuilt are crap and dont get them and even the OEM are not the greatest but i just dont know what to do! help! thanks!

 

[TexasRammer]

I had this same exact problem, except I only had to replace it twice. I had a lift on my 2wd, about 4 months after the lift the seals blew so I replaced it with a rebuilt one from oreillys. It then went out within 100 miles of replacing. So I replaced with another rebuilt one but this time I did a complete flush of the system and replaced all the hoses just to be sure and its been a couple months now and no problems so far. Either somethings in your system or your just getting crappy rebuilt racks, I would replace the pump and hoses and get another rebuilt and see what happens. Sure hope mine doesnt go out again...

 

[cclee]

I put a 5 and 3 lift on my 05 and have had the same issues. Called Rough Country and they said that I needed to adjust the torsion bars down to bring the tie-rods more level. So two racks later, massive flushes and an inline mag filter on the return hose things are holding fluid. Taking it in for an alignment and with a little luck all will be well.