Bent Drag Link/ABS System Error

[Chromolykid]

Yesterday morning in my '16 while exploring some awesome ghost towns by Essex, I hit one of those iceberg-type rocks that probably makes up the majority of our planet (yes, it had gravitational pull). Was in 4-low, unlocked, making a right turn in a tight spot and thought it would clear, but smacked into this thing at a violent 3mph. It pulled the driver's side tire to the left, which in turn bent my drag link enough to turn the steering wheel 90 degrees. I was surprised at how easy the link bent, but it was a pretty abrupt stop. I checked everything out, and so far I've found nothing but the link damaged. Actually amazed that it didn't break, after seeing pictures of others on the internet. I have a DOR steering brace that likely saved my box, but was concerned the impact may have damaged ball joints or suspension arms. So far, everything else drives straight and functions normally.

However, after driving a few miles from the scene of the crime, I got a "Service Electronic Braking System" warning on the EVIC. No stored message, but a traction light illuminated on the dash. I checked the wheel speed sensor wires and plugs, checked ABS fuses, everything seems okay. Does anyone know if the computer senses similar wheel speeds while the steering wheel is turned for a while, it will throw this warning out? In other words, when I get a new drag link put on and the steering wheel straightened out, will this clear itself after a few miles?

Which brings me to my next question, has anyone tried the DOR 5th Gen Steering Linkage kit? Options are pretty limited on upgraded steering for this generation, and the stealership wants $750 just for a new drag link. I'm concerned I may have damaged the tie rod as well, though it looks okay, so I figured I might as well do that too. However, DOR is telling me the kits are at least 2 weeks out, maybe more, and I'd like to get this thing running ASAP. I tried calling Thuren and Synergy to see if they've got anything available, but was only able to leave a message.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[DamageWagon]

You bent your drag link, and not your tie rod? That’s an odd one. Bending the drag link has no affect on alignment but could trip your ABS warning due to the steering wheel position sensor seeing that you keep driving at an angle. Sending you a PM.

[Chromolykid]

Thanks for the response. Yup, bent at the threads right before the adjustment collar, on the wheel side. I had a feeling the computer would flip with the steering wheel crooked. It triggered the warning after I got back in to 2HI and picked up some speed, which I believe is when most of these sensors start registering errors. Hopefully it will go away when the new link is put on.

[olyelr]

Yes, the light is caused simply by the steering wheel being not straight up and down. I remember the jk’s being very susceptible to this also.

[Chromolykid]

[olyelr]

jeeeezuz

[OffroadTreks]

HOLY BONKERS! That's a heck of a bend!

[Reloaderguy]

Not sure but I think I can see the problem.

[Chromolykid]

Custom bent for lower center of gravity? This had to have done other damage and I’m just not seeing it. I’m anticipating joints will go bad on this side first, just a wild guess.

[Chromolykid]

Does anyone know if the pitman arm on our trucks has a slight bend in it? I'm measuring a 5 degree difference from the shaft angle to the drag link angle. Is mine bent or meant to be from the factory?

[waldo]

Yikes! And the steering gear is pretty beefy compared to the 3G trucks.

[DamageWagon]

This should fix other damage and prevent it from happening again. Oh, and it’s on sale!

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/garage-sa ... g-kit.html

My ‘11 pitman does angle slightly downward but I’m not sure if it’s the same part as yours. If you were going 3mph though I doubt you damaged anything major. I’m very very surprised you roasted a drag link at that speed!!

[Chromolykid]

This should fix other damage and prevent it from happening again. Oh, and it’s on sale!

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/garage-sa ... g-kit.html

My ‘11 pitman does angle slightly downward but I’m not sure if it’s the same part as yours. If you were going 3mph though I doubt you damaged anything major. I’m very very surprised you roasted a drag link at that speed!!

That's a nice kit! But it may get me into more trouble than I need haha.

I'm still baffled by it, shouldn't have been a major deal at that speed. The leverage applied must have been substantial, even though the rock barely touched the plastic air dam under the bumper to give you an idea of the size. I'm beginning to think maybe the nut on the adjustment collar worked loose before the impact and it had a weak spot to focus the force on. When I crawled down for a closer look after driving a mile or so, the outer drag link nut was indeed loose. Not sure if that happened before or after.
The truck did not leave me stranded though, made the careful 4-hour drive home with no issues besides the ABS error and a considerable amount of steering play from the bent link flexing like a bow.

[Reloaderguy]

The threads are the weakest part of the bar. The jam nuts probably loosened when the threads deformed. I'm not sure how you managed a direct hit since the drag link is above the tie rod. Maybe you impacted the tire hard enough to collapse the bar?

[Retired BLM Rig]

You may want to pull the pitman arm down and inspect for signs of twisting damage on the sector shaft splines, right above the pitman arm. With the pitman arm out of the way, you can eyeball the entire length of spline for uniformity. I've seen it on other vehicles before, it's worth a look anyway. Also thinking about the way you described the hit, the tie rod would be under tension while the drag link was under compression providing resistance from the steering box. If anything it may have given you a little extra toe-out.

[Chromolykid]

The threads are the weakest part of the bar. The jam nuts probably loosened when the threads deformed. I'm not sure how you managed a direct hit since the drag link is above the tie rod. Maybe you impacted the tire hard enough to collapse the bar?

You are correct, no contact was made with any linkage. 8,000 pounds of truck wanted to go one way, the tires were influenced by a rock to go the opposite, the drag link was apparently the weakest part between the two. Better bent than broken I suppose.

[Chromolykid]

You may want to pull the pitman arm down and inspect for signs of twisting damage on the sector shaft splines, right above the pitman arm. With the pitman arm out of the way, you can eyeball the entire length of spline for uniformity. I've seen it on other vehicles before, it's worth a look anyway. Also thinking about the way you described the hit, the tie rod would be under tension while the drag link was under compression providing resistance from the steering box. If anything it may have given you a little extra toe-out.

Good points, thanks, I'll pull the pitman arm tomorrow since I'm replacing the entire drag link anyways and take a look. I did check the toe and it didn't budge, which is shocking to say the least. I expected something to have pulled apart on the tie rod after looking at how it is constructed.

[DamageWagon]

Wow without hitting the drag link I’m surprised it bent. I’d just expect it to move the steering, even with a power steering system you’ll get feedback. And it overcame the stock steering stabilizer. I wonder if you had a faulty drag link. I’ve taken some pretty gnarly hits and bottom-outs with my truck and never had steering component issues.

[Reloaderguy]

You may want to pull the pitman arm down and inspect for signs of twisting damage on the sector shaft splines, right above the pitman arm. With the pitman arm out of the way, you can eyeball the entire length of spline for uniformity. I've seen it on other vehicles before, it's worth a look anyway. Also thinking about the way you described the hit, the tie rod would be under tension while the drag link was under compression providing resistance from the steering box. If anything it may have given you a little extra toe-out.

Good points, thanks, I'll pull the pitman arm tomorrow since I'm replacing the entire drag link anyways and take a look. I did check the toe and it didn't budge, which is shocking to say the least. I expected something to have pulled apart on the tie rod after looking at how it is constructed.

The sooner the better, PSC has replacement boxes for sale. Even if you don't go hydro boost, they have regular boxes for sale for $350.

[DocPaulo]

If you go with DOR steering let us know... curious about it

[nts007]

If you go with DOR steering let us know... curious about it

Damagewagon should chime in but dor steering might not be a reccommend action. At least their drag link. He just broke it and they refused to consider it a product failure. Since it broke in the parking lot

[RustyPW]

Be glad it bent in that direction. If it would have bent in another direction. You might not been able to steer it at all.

[Chromolykid]

If you go with DOR steering let us know... curious about it

Damagewagon should chime in but dor steering might not be a reccommend action. At least their drag link. He just broke it and they refused to consider it a product failure. Since it broke in the parking lot

Ordered a new OEM center link outer online, saved $150 from dealership pricing. DOR said they were waiting on materials, 2 week minimum, too long to get this thing up and running. I’ll stick with factory for now since it seems very rare to do what I did, lucky me, but may upgrade in the future.

[Pit Slave]

All I can say is, I like my full EMF steering.

[Chromolykid]

Replaced the outer half of the drag link today, everything else seems okay and the truck handles fine. ABS error reset itself after about a mile of highway speeds.