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Our 03 is terrible, too. My old 01 and our 04 are what l would consider to be normal turning radius. I've always meant to do something about the 03...but haven't.
I just went to the hardware store and picked up a bolt and jam nut. Same amount of thread engagement with about 1/2 OEM stop length - or less if it will work.
Well, finally got around to doing this Removed the steering stops from Chloe. She’ll turn on a dime and give you a nickel change now. but the tires will rub. Was going to rig up a 23mm stop but one of the stock steering stops sheared off and left the rest of the bolt in. So I may run her without stops and then take the time to remove the rest of the bolt if it becomes an issue.
Well, finally got around to doing this Removed the steering stops from Chloe. She’ll turn on a dime and give you a nickel change now. but the tires will rub. Was going to rig up a 23mm stop but one of the stock steering stops sheared off and left the rest of the bolt in. So I may run her without stops and then take the time to remove the rest of the bolt if it becomes an issue.
same thing happened to me. A little heat and vise grips will get that right out.
I'm glad you waited. I missed this thread the first time around. My 04 turns much tighter than the 03. It has stock 255-55s where as the 03 has 265-65s so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to adjust the 03 before it starts rubbing, but nice to know I can try.
same thing happened to me. A little heat and vise grips will get that right out.
Yeah I thought about it and I just ran out of time and then just didn’t want to mess with it. I’ll take a crack at it this weekend because I don’t like the anticipation of turning the wheel and getting to that rub point. So I’ll put some kind of shorter stop back in. But man! I’m loving the new found nimbleness!
Last edited by Daytoman; Aug 23, 2021 at 08:26 PM.
Getting the first one out of the '03 took a little effort, and I noticed what appears to be blue loctite on the threads when I got it out. When trying to remove the short ones from the '04 that happened. You guys that mention "no ill effects" from running no steering stops at all, I assume this means the strain on the CV boot at full lock isn't an issue? The chances of me getting back under the 04 with vice-grips and heat to do battle with that stub are slim to none. Unless of course it means I'll have to do even more work down the road. Maybe I'll just shorten an M12 coupling nut and thread it on that stub. When I remove the other long one on the '03 I think I'll be more careful, and help persuade the blue loctite with some heat (although I though only red required heat).
I should take a look at my stops because my 04 rubs on my radius arms. I don't think I have a stop or it's been shortened. I'm running 265/65/18s so I don't think mine should rub the arms with stock wheels.
Not sure why, but I thought about this thread today, and I removed the stops from my 2001 245 /70/16. I was fully expecting to need to shorten them up, but when I remove them, I can’t even see where they’re rubbing it all even at full lock. For any of you that removed the stops completely, any issues? At this point, I’m just planning on leaving them off, easier to turn and tight spaces, which is important as my son is going to start driving this car soon.
Removed the steering stops from Chloe. She’ll turn on a dime and give you a nickel change now. 
but the tires will rub. Was going to rig up a 23mm stop but one of the stock steering stops sheared off 
and left the rest of the bolt in. So I may run her without stops and then take the time to remove the rest of the bolt if it becomes an issue.
My 04 turns much tighter than the 03. It has stock 255-55s where as the 03 has 265-65s so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to adjust the 03 before it starts rubbing, but nice to know I can try.
