Need Schooled On Steering

mack

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2007
Location
HOPE MILLS NC
we bought our son a 1999 XJ with the 4" Iron Rock Off Road Premium short arm kit. I think it has a custom track bar. The steering feels loose or wanders on the road? is there anything I can do to help tightin this up so our son feels better behind the wheel. I have enclosed some photos that might help.

thanks
 

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Jam nut on track bar doesn't look tightened up. The heim joint could be bad if you can move it when you twist track bar its bad replace it. The track bar on the axle side is bad to wallow out so check that, also check to make sure frame side isn't wallowed out and that it is still bolted tight to the frame (mine keep coming loose so I welded it) you may need new tre's... If so I'd go ahead and upgrade the steering @Jody Treadway (Carolina axle and 4x4) has a really good upgrade kit.
 
I looked at the Tie rod Ends and they look nasty, grease everywhere so I may just replace them anyway. The Heim joint on the track bar is loose...I can spin the nut and wiggle it so that will have to be replaced as well. the mount seems tight on the frame.
 
Lol, my web site is pretty basic. Very basic actually.
The tie rods I build are 1.5" x .250" DOM tubing with 3/4 ton tie rod ends. They bolt right in place your stock one.
I attached a pic. PM me if you want a quote
IMG_20150411_150112607.jpg
 
Single shear heim at the frame? That is terrible, loose or not the bolt can still deflect as well as the mount on the frame. Weld in a bracket to double-shear that puppy.
 
Jody
sorry, I went to your page and it said under construction..I will keep you in mind but for now im just ganna replace the TRE's.

The track bar is from rubicon express 4-8" lift as I was told. So I need to get a new heim for that I think.
 
mack said:
Jody
sorry, I went to your page and it said under construction..I will keep you in mind but for now im just ganna replace the TRE's.

The track bar is from rubicon express 4-8" lift as I was told. So I need to get a new heim for that I think.
Click to expand...

You definitely need to double shear that heim joint, even replacing it will just cause another one to deflect and wear out. Fix the root of the problem not the symptom. Worn out heim is just a symptom of a poorly designed attachment point.

Also at a minimum id go replace the stock drag link and tie rod with a zj one, stock tie rods aren't up to the task of larger tires
 
don't mean to sound dumb but what is the term " double shear "?... I know some stuff but I'm no expert as most of you on here have years of doing this stuff...lol
 
That has a good explanation of double vs single shear
 
replace all the tie rod ends, double shear your track bar.. Iron rock offroad makes a nice frame bracket that isn't too expensive.. I'd also suggest doing a shakedown on the ball joints..
 
wow...that is a pretty good example. thank you guys for all the input, I will now start the process of getting this rig safe for our son to drive. It may be a little at a time but I due have some time to spare..lol
 
I looked the kit up and it shows adjustable upper and lower control arms but your pic shows stock uppers. You can fix all those other things mentioned in this thread and still have wander problems if your caster is way out with that 4" lift. If you have adjustable lowers you might check your caster to see what you have and add some if needed. You have to find the happy medium between more caster and no driveshaft vibes and no contact among steering components.
 
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