CJ steering problem

[stockcar]

I have a 1982 CJ7 that the PO put in narrow track axles to get a Dana 44 rear . I have power steering and the box leaking so I purchased another used one off craigs list . It looked correct and bolted up fine using my brackets but now the tie rod end at the bottom of the drop pitman arm ( have 4"' lift springs ) hits the adjustment tube that goes to the outer tie rod ends . I checked the front Dana 30 axle to make sure it was in the correct mounting pad hole where it sits on the springs and it was in the center hole . Both the box I removed and the the one I purchased have a " 76 " stamped on the bottom . I even purchased another drop pitman arm from 4WD.com ( Procom cj400 ) which was a little better but still only clears the tube by about 1/16 to 1/8" . I looked at another CJ with 4" springs and a drop pitman arm and it has about a 1" clearance . The funny thing is , just eye balling the box from under the jeep everything looks correct . thanks in advance for any advice .

 

[RenegadeT]

can you flip the tie rod around and move the adjustment to the passengerside? I wonder if your D30 has different knuckles with longer steer arms. I'll have to look at my CJ, I remember it being kind of close, but not 1/16", even with an aftermarket oversize tierod and draglink. I also drilled the knuckles out and put inserts in to run the tierod on top, but for years I ran it all stock narrowtrack.