Help Requested - Pitman Arm & Local Shops (DE)

[Kevin302]

Hi all,

I have a 2005 TJ and just installed a 3-4" lift and 1" body lift, plus other misc. parts. The shop is telling me that to properly align the Jeep now I need to install a drop pitman arm and the steering geometry is out of whack. I did research prior to ordering parts and I thought the consensus was that I did NOT need one since I do not have a front track bar drop bracket. I told them this and even printed out some posts to show them, and they still tell me I need one. I do not have an aftermarket tie rod/drag link, yet. I have front and rear adjustable track bars as well as adjustable control arms. I also know there is a very helpful article on this forum on how to align the jeep myself - but I do not have a garage and would rather pay someone to do it properly. I drove it a few miles after getting the lift installed and it was sketchy.

Also besides an alignment, they still need to install my SYE kit and driveshaft. They quoted me "up to 9 hours" to do that install. I told them that's absurd, sharpen their pencil, and give me a precise number. Have not heard back...

Should I take my Jeep somewhere else? I'm in northern Delaware and am not familiar with any Jeep focused shops in this area.

I also need to find a different shop to install my axles, gears and lockers. Got a quote already but they're $800 per axle plus a little more to hook up the ARB compressor. I believe that's high. Please tell me if I am wrong.

All advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[xxdabroxx]

Do not install the drop pitman arm. It will cause bump steer.

 

[JeepZilla380]

I agree with finding a 2nd shop to get a 2nd quote. Like xxdabroxx said, don't install the drop pitman arm. I don't have any experience with the SYE, so someone else might chime in. Driveshaft install is super simple.

Alignment is just the toe, it is really easy to do.

 

[jjvw]

Your shop would be correct if your Jeep had leaf springs without a track bar. Everything changed with coils and links.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Few shops are anything but generalists who know generally about suspension lifts but aren't experts in them with all brands and models of vehicles. Yes dropped Pitman arms are commonly required by many 4x4 vehicles after having a suspension lift installed but that does NOT include the TJ whose steering geometry was significantly improved so it doesn't need one for any commonly installed suspension lift height. For example, a dropped Pitman arm is required for a CJ and Wrangler YJ Jeep but not for a Wrangler TJ, JK, or LJ.

 

[Kevin302]

Few shops are anything but generalists who know generally about suspension lifts but aren't experts in them with all brands and models of vehicles. Yes dropped Pitman arms are commonly required by many 4x4 vehicles after having a suspension lift installed but that does NOT include the TJ whose steering geometry was significantly improved so it doesn't need one for any commonly installed suspension lift height. For example, a dropped Pitman arm is required for a CJ and Wrangler YJ Jeep but not for a Wrangler TJ, JK, or LJ.

Thanks, Jerry. That's what I believed to be correct from reading around these forums.

Now do you think they're bending me over by quoting me 9 hours for a SYE kit install? lol

 

[Chris]

Thanks, Jerry. That's what I believed to be correct from reading around these forums.

Now do you think they're bending me over by quoting me 9 hours for a SYE kit install? lol

9 hours to install an SYE kit does seem like a bit much, yes. That shop is clearly trying to take you to the cleaners.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks, Jerry. That's what I believed to be correct from reading around these forums.

Now do you think they're bending me over by quoting me 9 hours for a SYE kit install? lol

Ha 9 hours, really? It took 3-4 hours or so for my previous TJ's SYE, DC driveshaft, and adjustable rear control arm installation including the pinion angle adjustment. Mrblaine came over to my house to help (direct) and we knocked it out in a morning.

 

[Kevin302]

9 hours to install an SYE kit does seem like a bit much, yes. That shop is clearly trying to take you to the cleaners.

That's what I thought. It's ridiculous, too, because my old man owns the building next to the shop and we let them use 8 of our parking spaces for nothing.

 

[Chris]

That's what I thought. It's ridiculous, too, because my old man owns the building next to the shop and we let them use 8 of our parking spaces for nothing.

Wow, you'd at least think they would give you a realistic rate in that case. Sounds like so many shops I know. I have no problem with someone making money, but to quote 9 hours for a 4 hour job, that's just ridiculous. They must want you to pay for their smoke breaks and lunches too

It's damn hard to find good shops these days, even around where I live.

 

[Kevin302]

Wow, you'd at least think they would give you a realistic rate in that case. Sounds like so many shops I know. I have no problem with someone making money, but to quote 9 hours for a 4 hour job, that's just ridiculous. They must want you to pay for their smoke breaks and lunches too

It's damn hard to find good shops these days, even around where I live.

Right! My area really could use a clean, competent and honest shop. They'd make a killing.

 

[Chris]

Right! My area really could use a clean, competent and honest shop. They'd make a killing.

Yep, same with my area as well. There's one guy around here who does amazingly good work, but he's flakey, and really doesn't know how to run a business unfortunately. But, if you can get him to do the work, it's some of the best in the U.S.