The threads on the exaxt kit are way too long for me to understand exactly what I need to do this so I figured I'd ask. So what do i need to rebiuld my steering? I'm pretty sure the idler/pitman arms will need to be replaced so where should I get them and whatever else I need to do this?

And also I'm getting a popping noise while turning and hitting bumps. What could this be? Thanks

The threads on the exaxt kit are way too long for me to understand exactly what I need to do this so I figured I'd ask. So what do i need to rebiuld my steering? I'm pretty sure the idler/pitman arms will need to be replaced so where should I get them and whatever else I need to do this?

And also I'm getting a popping noise while turning and hitting bumps. What could this be? Thanks

if you call Mac at EXAXT he can set you up with everything you will need and actually gets a pretty good price on the good parts compared to autozone or checkers. If you dont like what Mac can get you, i would suggest NAPA. that is where i got all my stuff (idler/pitman arm, and inner and outer tie rods) plus if you buy the NCP parts (highly suggest you dont buy the MRC parts, they wear out very quickly) they are lifetime warrentied. so should they wear out, take them back and get new ones for free! have yet to pay for my steering parts in the last 3 years :D

Popping noise could be a number of things. I have narrowed mine down to the body mounts I believe. There is a TSB on them popping while turning.

Thanks yall ima have to give them a call in a few days. And chevy1925 i'll pm you if I have any other questions

Thanks yall ima have to give them a call in a few days. And chevy1925 i'll pm you if I have any other questions

sounds good :thumb:

how much is their most basic kit without the new pitman arm, idler arm, and the four tie rod ends required? so i guess just their straight centerlink, idler support, and the threaded conversion deals. also can you put the cognito pitman arm support on with the exaxt kit since it doesnt come with a support on that side and only the idler side?

IIRC around $600.

LA DMAX

how much is their most basic kit without the new pitman arm, idler arm, and the four tie rod ends required? so i guess just their straight centerlink, idler support, and the threaded conversion deals. also can you put the cognito pitman arm support on with the exaxt kit since it doesnt come with a support on that side and only the idler side?

what LA said.

No and its not needed trust me. seach all the posts ive put up on this kit and you will see the one 1/2" billet steel brace is plenty
:thumb:

Here's the parts list and price paid for each item to rebuild my 06 CCLB steering:

1. Exaxt Basic Kit plus standard shipping to WA - $638.00 USD
2. Moog ES2077RT (qty 2) - $82.04 (Amazon)
3. Moog ES3609 (qty 2) - $102.20 (Amazon)
4. Genuine GM 19153392 Idler Arm w/ pivot (GMparts direct) - $119.25
5. Genuine GM 19168473 Pitman arm (Ebay) - $44.99

Total is about $986.48 which is less than Les Schwab quoted to rebuild using standard parts. They wanted $1,600, no thank you. There are various tax and shipping charges but all said and done I'm into it about $1,100 or so.

Haven't installed anything yet; I still to verify I purchased the correct pitman arm (3 or 4 spline). The pitman arm is the 3 spline, just need to make sure it matches my truck. The Exaxt kit showed up extremely fast (2 days?) and very high quality. The centerlink will NEVER bend! I'll try and remember to take detailed pictures of the install and post a write up. I'm hoping to get to it in the next couple of weeks (weather permitting)

I can't wait!!!

I installed my kit exact kit this past weekend and used all new moog parts from amazon. The pitman arm is a 3 groove. The one word I would describe this kit is beefy. I also had popping sounds when turning but that is gone now and the steering is so much tighter now. No more steering a boat anymore. The total cost of the kit and parts is pricey but I know I will not replace anything on the steering system anytime soon.

cmarlow, thanks for that price breakdown, I'm storing that info for later retrieval when I'm ready to do the kit.

LA DMAX

i wonder why they still use the stock outer tie rod in their kit. shoulda converted it to use the that inner tie rod that they use on both inner and outers.

When I communicated with him regarding designing an adapter to use the Fabtech or Cognito tie rods, he kept coming back to parts availability and being able to pick them up anywhere (save for his components). I suspect that many of his design decisions were made with common/easy replacements. In fact, one of his comments for NOT designing a FT/Cog adapter was because we would be stuck forever purchasing from a single vendor. With his adapter, we can get GM, Moog, Napa, etc for all the incidental parts.

Granted, we are still stuck with his components for centerlink, couplers, and other parts but I guess we just assume they never break (right)??? As I think about it, I'm not sure about the warranty. Chev1925, do you know what his replacement policy is? What if you DO break his threaded coupler? Do we get a new one?

Here's the parts list and price paid for each item to rebuild my 06 CCLB steering:

1. Exaxt Basic Kit plus standard shipping to WA - $638.00 USD
2. Moog ES2077RT (qty 2) - $82.04 (Amazon)
3. Moog ES3609 (qty 2) - $102.20 (Amazon)
4. Genuine GM 19153392 Idler Arm w/ pivot (GMparts direct) - $119.25
5. Genuine GM 19168473 Pitman arm (Ebay) - $44.99

Total is about $986.48 which is less than Les Schwab quoted to rebuild using standard parts. They wanted $1,600, no thank you. There are various tax and shipping charges but all said and done I'm into it about $1,100 or so.

Haven't installed anything yet; I still to verify I purchased the correct pitman arm (3 or 4 spline). The pitman arm is the 3 spline, just need to make sure it matches my truck. The Exaxt kit showed up extremely fast (2 days?) and very high quality. The centerlink will NEVER bend! I'll try and remember to take detailed pictures of the install and post a write up. I'm hoping to get to it in the next couple of weeks (weather permitting)

I can't wait!!!

You are the man. haha now i know exactly what i need

i wonder why they still use the stock outer tie rod in their kit. shoulda converted it to use the that inner tie rod that they use on both inner and outers.

cant. the inner tie rods use a different taper than the factory outer tie rods. Just wouldnt work. Im honestly concidering building 7/8th heim end tie rods cause the inner tie rods still allow movement as the ball inside moves in and out whether its brand new or worn. I dunno, im gunna talk with mac and see what hes come up with. BTW, htese hiems wont wear as quick as the little 3/4 hiems cognito and blikerig use for their kits as they are thicker and have a better tensile strenght

When I communicated with him regarding designing an adapter to use the Fabtech or Cognito tie rods, he kept coming back to parts availability and being able to pick them up anywhere (save for his components). I suspect that many of his design decisions were made with common/easy replacements. In fact, one of his comments for NOT designing a FT/Cog adapter was because we would be stuck forever purchasing from a single vendor. With his adapter, we can get GM, Moog, Napa, etc for all the incidental parts.

Granted, we are still stuck with his components for centerlink, couplers, and other parts but I guess we just assume they never break (right)??? As I think about it, I'm not sure about the warranty. Chev1925, do you know what his replacement policy is? What if you DO break his threaded coupler? Do we get a new one?

i cant answer that as im not 100% sure. I do remember somewhat about Mac telling me him having a replacment policy though hes yet to have anyone have an issue with one his parts so i cant say for sure. i ask him when i ask about the inner tie rods

I installed my kit this weekend and fount out that the Genuine GM threads on the idler arm stud are the course threads. Therefore the Exaxt shoulder nut does not fit. I needed to get a new idler arm so I went down to Napa and picked up an NCP2683715. This idler arm had the correct threads. Here is the updated parts list:

1. Exaxt Basic Kit plus standard shipping to WA - $638.00 USD
2. Moog ES2077RT (qty 2) - $82.04 (Amazon)
3. Moog ES3609 (qty 2) - $102.20 (Amazon)
4. Napa NCP2683715 idler arm (no pivot included) - $106.88
5. Genuine GM 19168473 Pitman arm (Ebay) - $44.99

I've got some other issues which I'll post in a new thread...

I installed my kit this weekend and fount out that the Genuine GM threads on the idler arm stud are the course threads. Therefore the Exaxt shoulder nut does not fit. I needed to get a new idler arm so I went down to Napa and picked up an NCP2683715. This idler arm had the correct threads. Here is the updated parts list:

1. Exaxt Basic Kit plus standard shipping to WA - $638.00 USD
2. Moog ES2077RT (qty 2) - $82.04 (Amazon)
3. Moog ES3609 (qty 2) - $102.20 (Amazon)
4. Napa NCP2683715 idler arm (no pivot included) - $106.88
5. Genuine GM 19168473 Pitman arm (Ebay) - $44.99

I've got some other issues which I'll post in a new thread...

when you order your kit you need to specify to mac if your going to use the factory idler arm or an aftermarket one due to the difference in threads. he will normally send the fine thread one for aftermarket idler arm since 9/10 guys will use aftermarket parts due to them being cheaper and still retain factory rigidity


cmarlow, helped ya out in your other thread bud :thumb: