Steering Components Advice

[HuskerJeep]

This weekend, as I was installing a new steering stabilizer, I was really able to inspect the steering components and found several issues I'd like some opinions on.

1. Looks like my tie rod has been rubbing on the drag link where it connects to the Pitman arm. I suspect it may have been bent at one time. Seems like a good time to upgrade to the ZJ Tie Rod (Moog DS1312, Moog ES3096L, Moog ES2079S).

2. The ball joint on the Drag link at the Pitman arm looks pretty bad (picture above, and another below), but the other side looks ok (second photo below). Think it's ok to just replace one side, the one that connects to the Pitman arm (Moog ES3096L)?

3. The ball joint on the Track bar also looks pretty bad. Can I just replace the ball joint, or do I need to replace the entire track bar?

4. There looks to be a leak coming off the Steering Box. Any thoughts here?

 

[jjvw]

You have a dropped pitman arm. How does the Jeep handle going over bumps?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Replacing that dropped Pitman arm with the factory design Pitman arm will also stop your drag link from rubbing on the tie rod.

More importantly, you need to replace that dropped Pitman arm with the OE Mopar Pitman arm. That dropped Pitman arm someone installed is causing bump steer on your TJ. Bump steer is when the steering is 'bumped' left/right from the axle moving up/down when driving over bumps/dips in the road.

Another good idea would be to replace the stock skinny hollow tie rod with something stronger. The tie rod from a V8 ZJ (ZJ model of the Grand Cherokee with a V8) would be a good choice, it is substantially stronger.

 

[HuskerJeep]

You have a dropped pitman arm. How does the Jeep handle going over bumps?

Honestly, I've only owned it a couple weeks and haven't driven it much yet so I don't have much to go on.

Replacing that dropped Pitman arm with the factory design Pitman arm will also stop your drag link from rubbing on the tie rod.

More importantly, you need to replace that dropped Pitman arm with the OE Mopar Pitman arm. That dropped Pitman arm someone installed is causing bump steer on your TJ. Bump steer is when the steering is 'bumped' left/right from the axle moving up/down when driving over bumps/dips in the road.

Thanks guys. Wasn't aware of the Pitman arm issue, glad I asked.

 

[HuskerJeep]

Another good idea would be to replace the stock skinny hollow tie rod with something stronger. The tie rod from a V8 ZJ (ZJ model of the Grand Cherokee with a V8) would be a good choice, it is substantially stronger.

Thanks Jerry, I plan to do that. Any thoughts on the ball joints for the Track bar and Drag Link?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Any thoughts on the ball joints for the Track bar and Drag Link?

Odds are pretty fair that all you need to do is grease them thoroughly with a grease gun. The OE track bar's and drag link's ball joint is not separately replaceable so try greasing them first. That the rubber boot covering the ball joint is shredded is no big deal, that just means they need to be greased a little more often.

A new track bar is not cheap, either is a drag link, so perhaps all they need is that grease.