cst lift.... 5150 bilstein shocks

[tahitijet]

That's why after having Chevys for years i finally bought a Ford :yuk: Even the H2 had the same problem
I don't even want to dive into the issues that come up in fords :rollside:

[tahitijet]

I've got 9500 miles on mine and no issues. My buddies at two shops told me to wait until the stock idler/pitman arm start to rattle then replace them with the Fabtech parts. I checked them a few weeks ago and everything was still tight and looked good, so I leave them for now.
Chris
With the congito kit you have installed those parts wont wear out. Eventually the totall assembly may need replacing but no sooner then should be expected from a properly working pieace.
By the way i like your truck thats a good looking ride. Are those kings installed on your truck? How do you like them?

[tahitijet]

good information! so what do I need and what am I looking at price wise?
The retail price of the kit is 200.00. But of course i'll work you a deal. Even though the parts are worn it wont be totally neccesary to replace them wtih this kit however for pieace of mind and since your in there already i'd recomend changing out the pitman/idler arm

[INSman]

Toby
I have a 2004 GMC Sierra HD2500 4x4 that has the 6" CST lift with dual hoop in the front and Bilstein 5100's I believe without the reservoirs, and I think I put at least 35K miles on it this past year with not a hint of a problem.
maybe a poor install ?? :idea: :supp:

[Just Tool'n]

Checked around and it seems that the CST kit helps reduce the effect of the larger tires but doesn't eliminate it. If your's are toast which seems odd at 16k miles youre best bet is to upgrade with the Fabtech kit. It has the higher quality delrin(sp?) bushings. The kit may be on back order though right now. Also have you had the dealer check on the "Intermediate Steering Shaft"? These trucks are notorious for wearing these out fast, makes a loud clunking sound going over small bumps , especially when turning, should be covered under warranty. As far as the rear shocks my buddies also say that they should have lasted longer, Bilstein should warranty the shocks if they don't show signs of abuse.
Good luck and sorry to hear about your problems,
Chris
Took mine in on Monday to get the Steering shaft replaced. It has been doing the Clunk now for about 10k miles. Of coarse the dealership has to order the part.
You would think they would stock this part since it seems to wear out all of the time.

[sigepmock]

With the congito kit you have installed those parts wont wear out. Eventually the totall assembly may need replacing but no sooner then should be expected from a properly working pieace.
By the way i like your truck thats a good looking ride. Are those kings installed on your truck? How do you like them?
I ran the Cognito kit on the last truck with the RCD lift. This truck has the CST 6-8". Thanks for the compliments. I'm running the King 2.5's with the remote reservoirs, same hoop set-up as the pick of the bypasses I just not that big of a baller to be able to afford the bypasses.
As far as the CST lift, it uses a ladder style steering drop. Basically the stock pitman arm and idler stay in the stock location and a parrallel drop bar is used with a couple of heims that attach it to the new sub frame. See the pics below:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...gdrop1-med.jpg
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...eringdrop2.jpg
I also upgraded my stock tie-rods with some heavy duty ones from So Cal Supertrucks.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...shock2-med.JPG
I know lots of guys are bending the stock ones pretty easy. I am going to look into adding the Cognito brace to this truck as peice of mind, I'm just not sure if it will fit without interfering.
Here's the fabtech kit:
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...495fabtech.jpg
Looks like it has an upgraded Pitman arm, Idler arm, and HD tie-rods, and a steering stabilizer.
Toby, I still think you shouldn't be having problems with your set-up with the low miles, I don't want to insult the shop you used but maybe take it to another shop to get a second opinion.
Chris

[sigepmock]

Just thought of something else. What upper A-arm are you using Toby? The stock one or the CST with Uniball? I've seen the stock upper ball joints work loose and start to rattle bad. Just thinking out loud.
Chris

[sigepmock]

Here's some good info from Cognito's web site:
Overview:
Whether your truck is stock height or lifted and running oversized tires, Pitman and Idler arms have always been a problem on the steering systems of the GM and FORD vehicles. The Pitman and Idler arm Support kit by Cognito Motorsports fixes a wear problem that is present on the factory and aftermarket steering system. Aftermarket companies have come out with heavier duty pitman and idler arms that fail the same way that the factory parts do. The design created by Cognito Motorsports solves the problem in an innovative way that no one else has been able to create before. This design works so well that we were able to establish a PATENT PENDING.
The problem when not using the Cognito Motorsports Pitman and Idler Arm Support kit:
If you are not familiar with how the GM steering system works, here is a quick lesson. The pitman arm is connected to the output shaft of the steering gear box. When you turn the steering wheel of your vehicle, the motion is directed to the steering gear box which then rotates the pitman arm. The pitman arm has a stud protruding from the end of it where the center link connects, also called the drag link. To help control steering motion, the center link is connected to an idler arm on the passenger side of the vehicle. The idler arm is bolted to the frame and swings in the same arc as the pitman arm, and is fastened to the center link the same way the pitman arm is. The two mounting points for the center link give it support in the motion left and right relative to the vehicle, but there is not enough support in the direction of forward to backward relative to the vehicle. This lack of support is what causes the joints inside of the pitman and idler arms to wear out, which provide the pivot and connection point for the center link. The larger the tire on the vehicle, the faster these joints wear out. Aftermarket companies have come out with beefed up pitman and idler arms, but still have the same premature wear issue in the same joint.
What happens if you are not using the Cognito Motorsports solution?
The front alignment toe settings can not be held because of the slop in the pitman and idler arms allowing the center link to move forward and backward. No control over the toe setting means that your front tires will experience irregular and premature wear. When the center link swings toward the back of the truck, it is also swinging up in an arc. The center link swinging up increases the tie rod angle and can cause tie rod breakage. Most tie rod problems actual originate from pitman and idler arm problems.
The Cognito Motorsports Solution:
The Mechanical Engineer at Cognito Motorsports has come up with a non traditional design to fix this problem, and it works GREAT! The support kit can be installed on pitman and idler arms showing a lot of wear, and actually revive them! If the worn parts have approximately 40,000 miles or less on them with a close to stock size tire, they probably will not have to be changed. If the worn parts have approximately 20,000 miles or less on them with larger than 33” tires, they probably will not have to be changed. If the parts have more miles than that on them, it is recommended to replace the pitman and idler arms with factory units and add the Cognito Motorsports Pitman and Idler Arm Support Kit.
This innovative design is so unique that it has a utility patent pending status right now. The support system works by double capturing the studs that protrude from the pitman and idler arms which the center link connects to. At the same time it still allows the studs to pivot on their own axis which is needed when the steering system is turning. This Cognito Motorsports system provides the support needed to prevent the center link from rocking forward and backward in the vehicle.
Installation:
There is no welding or cutting required to install this kit. It is a simple installation for a qualified mechanic. Installation time is 45 minutes to an hour. It is required to have the front end alignment performed after installing this system. View the installation instructions here.
As soon as I confirm with Justin at Cognito that it will work with my CST lift, I'll be placing an order for this again.
Chris

[sigepmock]

Just talked with Justin at Cognito. He says their brace will work with the CST kit but he doesn't think we need it but it couldn't hurt. He suggested if the stock ones are shot to use the Moog replacements. He said they are lasting a lot longer than the Fabtech ones.
Off of Moogs Website-
Pitman Arm: K6654
Idler Arm: K6535 (Improved Design W/O Bracket)
Moog frame bracket for the idler arm is a K6659
Inner Tie-Rod end (4WD): ES3488
Inner Tie-Rod end (2WD): ES3489
Outer Tie-Rod end: ES3493T (Improved Design)
Idler arm (just the arm, not the bracket)
Napa # 268-3715
Idler arm bracket
Napa # 268-3717
Pitman Arm
Napa # 268-1679
I think I might get the Cognito brace kit anyways. $200 for piece of mind.
Sorry for all the info. This one got me fired up :crossx:
Chris

[TOBTEK]

Toby
I have a 2004 GMC Sierra HD2500 4x4 that has the 6" CST lift with dual hoop in the front and Bilstein 5100's I believe without the reservoirs, and I think I put at least 35K miles on it this past year with not a hint of a problem.
maybe a poor install ?? :idea: :supp:
or I didnt get all the stuff I should have???????