I finally got around to installing my cognito idler and pittman arm supports yesterday. The ride is noticably smoother with them on there.

Problem is now my steering won't return all the way to center, kinda feels like something is too tight. Is it possible to overtighten the big bolt on the pittman arm that attaches it to the steering box? I used the torque wrench on the places I could fit it but didn't there.

Any help is appreciated, thanks guys.

I had a similar problem; my steering wheel would turn right but wouldn’t come back. The bolt head on the treaded shaft was hitting the transfer case on the drivers side. I had to grind it down and no problems after that. Hope this helps…

Good Luck...

thanks I will look at that this afternoon.

So if you had to grind stuff down isn't there more chance that it will break in the future?

The shaft is treaded, so I shouldn’t be an issue. I guess you would call it customizing….

Nice lookin truck you got there Thomas.

Good to know about the wheel not returning to center. Looking to invest into some cognito parts here in the next few weeks. Let us know what happens.

I had a similar problem; my steering wheel would turn right but wouldn’t come back. The bolt head on the treaded shaft was hitting the transfer case on the drivers side. I had to grind it down and no problems after that. Hope this helps…

Good Luck...


Thomas you are correct on rhe 7" kit you do need to clearence the top of the diff mount where the support bolt is however on a 4" or leveling kit its not a problem. Ive had this happen if the adjustment on the heim jam nuts is off. If the heim is either pushed out or pulled in too far it will cause the pittman or idler piviot themselves to bind. Usually I will hand tighten the jam nuts to the point of contact on the support bracket then take a wrench and turn one nut once then the other till tight. I hope this helps your problem

Nice lookin truck you got there Thomas.

Good to know about the wheel not returning to center. Looking to invest into some cognito parts here in the next few weeks. Let us know what happens.

don't get me wrong. It is a lot smoother now than last week. It is not binding when trying to return to center- it's just not returning the final 1/4-1/8 of a turn. I am sure it is just a simple adjustment that I havn't figured out yet.

I am just unsure if it was the bolts on the shaft or over tightening the pitman arm (if that's possible). Other than that I love the way it feels now.

don't get me wrong. It is a lot smoother now than last week. It is not binding when trying to return to center- it's just not returning the final 1/4-1/8 of a turn. I am sure it is just a simple adjustment that I havn't figured out yet.

I am just unsure if it was the bolts on the shaft or over tightening the pitman arm (if that's possible). Other than that I love the way it feels now.

Good. I hate the steering on my truck.

I loosened and retightened the jam nuts and it appears to have fixed the problem. I couldn't see where they were off but it seemed to fix it. Thanks for the help guys...

i broke mine a week bedfore pismo. just normal street driving. i snapped the support bracket in half.

thomas08 - great looking truck. What type of front bumper? I really like that with the 7" and wheel/tire combo.

thomas08 - great looking truck. What type of front bumper? I really like that with the 7" and wheel/tire combo.

Thanks…. I have a Smittybuilt Preditor. I checked Smittybilt's website a few months back for another member and they discontinued it.

Thomas you are correct on the 7" kit you do need to clearence the top of the diff mount where the support bolt is however on a 4" or leveling kit its not a problem. Ive had this happen if the adjustment on the heim jam nuts is off. If the heim is either pushed out or pulled in too far it will cause the pittman or idler piviot themselves to bind. Usually I will hand tighten the jam nuts to the point of contact on the support bracket then take a wrench and turn one nut once then the other till tight. I hope this helps your problem

Straight from the NCT shop Manager's mouth!!! Nice to see you actually beat Nick to a post.....:D

Yea he was in the bathroom.

i broke mine a week bedfore pismo. just normal street driving. i snapped the support bracket in half.

WOW!!!:eek: Will it be warranteed?

Remember the cognito supports only work with the cognito and rcd lift. If you check cognito website it pretty eliminates your options for installing the supports with any other lift. Did you install the supersteer box with your supports. I would get it re-aligned.

I am going to get it realigned and It's not lifted with anything other than the Cognito upper control arms with a little torsion adjustment at this time. (I'd like to do the 4" in the future, but have to play things by ear).

I did what navvy said and basically just loosened then retorqued the jam nuts and it hasn't binded again. It was only a minor bind - didn't take much pressure in the first place to get past it. Thanks again for the heads up on that.

That preditor lightbar - that Thomas08 has on his truck does look good. I had looked at those on my old 03- maybe should have ordered one then I guess.

Thanks guys

Mine was a little tight in the beginning but loosened up after a week. I called cognito and they said the heim joints are really stiff when new and it takes a few days of driving for them to loosen up and your steering will feel better.

Remember the cognito supports only work with the cognito and rcd lift. If you check cognito website it pretty eliminates your options for installing the supports with any other lift. Did you install the supersteer box with your supports. I would get it re-aligned.
actually if you call cognito they will tell you it does work with other kits besides theres and rcd. it works with most but full throttle or bullet proff.. wheres my money cisko???lol

get the pink or whatever paperwork and call. Are you going to powdercoat again.

alright i gotta pick the paperwork from the shop. i need to get over to powder but with turnaround i dont know when. what do you need?