Cognito Motorsports Pitman and Idler Braces

[TurboTahoe]

Schiker, I agree with most of your analysis. If the idler and pitman arms are weak, then this is simply going to apply more force to them, since the force has no where else to go, i.e. the center link / drag link cannot rotate anymore, so the energy is not used for rotational (kinetic) motion - it is simply imparted as a lateral force to the tip of the pitman and idler arms. So, yes - if the idler and pitman are not really strong, you could snap the end of them off.

Hmm. It seems to me that the optimal solution would be to replace components (possibly ALL components) with heavier duty versions, and THEN apply the Cognito and Supersteer components.

I like the idea of the SuperSteer Idler Pivot, as it replaces what is essential a bushing pivot pin with a real roller and ball-bearing idler pivot. I believe that this will allow the entire steering assembly to move more freely and smoothly, with very little wear, at least on the rotating assemblies. It should tighten up the steering quite a bit.

The Cognito brackets should halt the ability of the drag link to rotate on the idler and pitman arm pins, which will stabilize the steering from having 'fluctuating' toe-in, and from wearing by virtue of that excessive rotation.

This is definitely looking expensive up-front. The braces and SuperSteer idler pivot are around $500 just for the parts, but I suppose it would halt the need to have new pitman/ilders and so-on every couple of years.

-Rob

 

[Pepperidge]

Schiker, I agree with most of your analysis. If the idler and pitman arms are weak, then this is simply going to apply more force to them, since the force has no where else to go, i.e. the center link / drag link cannot rotate anymore, so the energy is not used for rotational (kinetic) motion - it is simply imparted as a lateral force to the tip of the pitman and idler arms. So, yes - if the idler and pitman are not really strong, you could snap the end of them off.

Hmm. It seems to me that the optimal solution would be to replace components (possibly ALL components) with heavier duty versions, and THEN apply the Cognito and Supersteer components.

I like the idea of the SuperSteer Idler Pivot, as it replaces what is essential a bushing pivot pin with a real roller and ball-bearing idler pivot. I believe that this will allow the entire steering assembly to move more freely and smoothly, with very little wear, at least on the rotating assemblies. It should tighten up the steering quite a bit.

The Cognito brackets should halt the ability of the drag link to rotate on the idler and pitman arm pins, which will stabilize the steering from having 'fluctuating' toe-in, and from wearing by virtue of that excessive rotation.

This is definitely looking expensive up-front. The braces and SuperSteer idler pivot are around $500 just for the parts, but I suppose it would halt the need to have new pitman/ilders and so-on every couple of years.

-Rob

that's what I was trying to tell you guys in my first post...

I would go ahead and replace the pitman arm while you are at it...and make sure there is no steering box slack...there are beliefs that this can cause the pitman arm to break when using these braces...

had you guys posted this in the suspension section where it belongs you may have just seen these two posts...the torsion bar suspension is basically the same with the GM800 trucks as well...

Read these two threads...

http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/showthread.php?t=13567

http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/showthread.php?t=17583

 

[guybb3]

had you guys posted this in the suspension section where it belongs you may have just seen these two posts...the torsion bar suspension is basically the same with the GM800 trucks as well...

C'mon Pepperidge, you know why we don't post there. We 6.5 guys never get generic questions answered on the other forums, usually. No bitching intended, I just can relate to why the post isn't "where it belongs", ya know?

 

[Unit453]

C'mon Pepperidge, you know why we don't post there.

Not to drag this further off topic but I dont understand that comment. Its like you guys refuse to leave this part of the site. Hell, a few months ago, someone was asking for your own off topic section. Now that baffled me.

All I'm saying is there's other people who belong to this board who may have similar interests or have knowledge on certain things. It wouldn't hurt to get out more and parooze the rest of the site.

Or stay here. Whatever.

We've been struggling to unite you guys with the rest of the board but it just isn't working. I give up.

 

[Pepperidge]

C'mon Pepperidge, you know why we don't post there. We 6.5 guys never get generic questions answered on the other forums, usually. No bitching intended, I just can relate to why the post isn't "where it belongs", ya know?

C'mon Guy...you know this is a "different forum" we are all here to help one another...you don't have the same group of Dominant Dmax guys here... a simple search here on this forum would have turned up the same posts I referenced...

I have the cognito braces and am worried that anyone with any wear on their current steering assembly may endanger themselves by using these for the wrong reasons...but my post was ignored cause I'm not a 6.5 regular...there's no need to be unsociable here or to improperly post here... it just isn't necessary...

 

[TurboTahoe]

C'mon Guy...you know this is a "different forum" we are all here to help one another...you don't have the same group of Dominant Dmax guys here... a simple search here on this forum would have turned up the same posts I referenced...

I have the cognito braces and am worried that anyone with any wear on their current steering assembly may endanger themselves by using these for the wrong reasons...but my post was ignored cause I'm not a 6.5 regular...there's no need to be unsociable here or to improperly post here... it just isn't necessary...

Pepperidge, when you mentioned that I mis-posted, I truly took it to heart, and I read both threads you referenced. They were extremely helpful. Granted, they were all discussing the 2001+ steering systems, but it was very helpful nonetheless. I also agree that I 'camp' here 99.5% of the time, and probably should venture out more. Thanks for the nudge.

I admit to having a concern that with some hard evidence that use of the Cognito braces appears to have contributed to 2-3 snapped pitman arms troubles me. I will certainly, at a minimum, put in an HD pitman arm at the same time as the braces, IF I put them in. Before, it was a no-brainer, and now, I'm not quite as sold on them. It ALSO concerns me that Cognito themselves advertise their product as being able to rejuvenate worn components! See here:

http://www.cognitomotorsports.com/store/page150.html

"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. "

I remember your posted response early on, and I honestly didn't understand what you meant. It's because I didn't have the context of those two threads to reference.

Thanks for giving us the occasional nudge and for moderating!

-Rob

 

[guybb3]

C'mon Guy...you know this is a "different forum" we are all here to help one another...you don't have the same group of Dominant Dmax guys here... a simple search here on this forum would have turned up the same posts I referenced...

I have the cognito braces and am worried that anyone with any wear on their current steering assembly may endanger themselves by using these for the wrong reasons...but my post was ignored cause I'm not a 6.5 regular...there's no need to be unsociable here or to improperly post here... it just isn't necessary...

I hear ya:smile5: I read the posts also and they were excellent. BUT, now I don't know what to do (as in the original question Rob had).

 

[btfarm]

Glad to see you guys understand. As you know by now, there are some (what many of us consider) serious issues with these front end parts. I, personally, am very concerned for my truck brothers. I know you guys have seen me pop up in these 6.2 and 6.5 threads before because It's a good education for me and I like you guys. Keep in mind that we DMax guys didn't always have the newer trucks. There's alot of collective knowledge over on that side too so when it isn't 6.2/6.5 specific, post it over in the right forum. You might be surprised at how you can broaden your knowledge there...
Thanks for the listen...

 

[Pepperidge]

Pepperidge, when you mentioned that I mis-posted, I truly took it to heart, and I read both threads you referenced. They were extremely helpful. Granted, they were all discussing the 2001+ steering systems, but it was very helpful nonetheless. I also agree that I 'camp' here 99.5% of the time, and probably should venture out more. Thanks for the nudge.

I hear ya:smile5: I read the posts also and they were excellent. BUT, now I don't know what to do (as in the original question Rob had).

Thanks Guys...we have a sense of family here...it's lot different than other places...lets all work together to keep that bond we have going...:thumbsup:

 

[Anubis]

.

I have the cognito braces and am worried that anyone with any wear on their current steering assembly may endanger themselves by using these for the wrong reasons...but my post was ignored cause I'm not a 6.5 regular...there's no need to be unsociable here or to improperly post here... it just isn't necessary...

I agree with you. using these things on a failing steering system is a bandaid at best and may make you overly brave. I don't even like running steering stabilizer on a failing steering system because it hides problems.

I used to work at a 4x4 shop and we sold a ton of stabilizers but always with a warning to never use one to correct a problem.... because they don't correct the problem.

I know you don't want to hear it but a coil sprung SAS (with a Z-link steering set up) is the best option for the GMT-400, even a daily driven one..... next best option is rebuilding the front end with good quality parts, getting it aligned ..... then instal your cognito braces...... they are meant to work with a properly functioning system, not to patch a failing system.

Don't get me wrong, my 94 rides like the Starship Voyager ...... but my coil swapped 91 V2500 Suburban rode like the USS Enterprise ......

 

[83GMCK2500]

Don't get me wrong, my 94 rides like the Starship Voyager ...... but my coil swapped 91 V2500 Suburban rode like the USS Enterprise ......

Voyager with or without transwarp drive and ablative armor? Which Enterprise, I'm a fan of the E myself, Sovereign-class is friggen impressive. :thumbsup:

 

[Anubis]

it rode like the Enterprise D........... no Armour or transwarp for the 94


I was going to use the Earthship Odessy (you know the one with the Asgard computer core) vs the Ha'tak ........ but nobody would have gotten it....... I also considered Serenity vs the millenium Falcon bit then that crosses Franchises and sub genres.....