{"id":1750,"date":"2026-03-13T00:28:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T07:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/?p=1750"},"modified":"2026-03-13T00:38:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T07:38:13","slug":"success-front-axle-install-complete-on-the-veggie-van","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/suspension\/success-front-axle-install-complete-on-the-veggie-van\/","title":{"rendered":"Success! Front Axle Install Complete on the Veggie Van"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s on the road!\u00a0 Started the axle rebuild in December, rolled it out of the garage in February, and now mid-way through March, the van is on the road.\u00a0 Not to start bragging too early, but I’ve only driven it 20 mph around the city block around my house, but I’ll take it.<\/p>\n

I left off yesterday<\/a> where I found the problem.\u00a0 My steering was binding up with the back of the wheel hitting the aftermarket running boards.<\/p>\n

So at the buttcrack of dawn, I cut that ancient aluminum running board with my grinder on an angle to make some decent clearance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It doesn’t have to look pretty, cuz I’m planning on upgrading that to a newer style.\u00a0 My buddy with an ’01 econoline has some nice running boards that are way sleeker.<\/p>\n

Got plenty of clearance now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Next problem… Need to make some more clearance for my center link so that it doesn’t clash with the track bar bracket extension.\u00a0 I could get a bigger pittman arm, but until then, I might just cut the bracket to clear.\u00a0 Here’s the pre-cut contact, when I turn the steering wheel 1.5 turns to the right.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As much as I don’t like it, I figured cutting a notch would solve the majority of my problem.\u00a0 Currently, the knuckle stop doesn’t even come close on the drivers side, separating at least a half an inch.\u00a0 At least with a cut, I can get it down to almost 3\/16″ of limitation.\u00a0 I get almost 1.75 rotations of the wheel to the right.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I turned the wheels all the way to the right and all the way to left.\u00a0 Then I photographed each side, and mirrored the passenger side so I could overlay them in Photoshop.\u00a0 Here’s the comparison.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As you can see, when I’m turning to the left, I get more rotation, by at least 5.5 degrees.\u00a0 For now, this will have to do until I extend the pittman arm.<\/p>\n

While i was removing all the stock Econoline tie rods and other steering parts, might as well use that new steering stabilizer I bought back in November.\u00a0 Part Number:\u00a0 GABRIEL 6802SE<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Frankly, I always thought my old stabilizer was trash.\u00a0 I’m confident that it didn’t damper my steering at all, and this white shock from Gabriel feels A LOT better.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I used the same mounts from the cheapo kit, instead of the Pathfinder clamps.\u00a0 I even cleaned up and painted the pathfinder parts, but I liked how the previous cheapo kit mounted to the frame to nicely.\u00a0 Gave more clearance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Let’s test ‘er out.<\/p>\n