What should I do about my drag link / steering linkage?

[Tob]

Well, unfortunately I find myself at the intersection of these two threads of mine,

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/pitman-arm-installation.43369/
and
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/can-dropped-pitman-arms-prevent-death-wobble.43628/...and at the culmination of a series of dumb decisions, starting with mushrooming the tapered bolt on the drag link and ending with me stripping the threads off the castle nut a couple hours ago.

As I see it, I have a few options. I could try to replace only the castle nut, leaving the damaged drag link end threads. Or, I could just replace the whole drag link end since the threads are already damaged. Or, I could take another trip down the "might-as-well" rabbit hole and just get the Currie Currectlync (I am already struggling with death wobble).

Thoughts?

 

[CharlesHS]

Well, unfortunately I find myself at the intersection of these two threads of mine,

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/pitman-arm-installation.43369/
and
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/can-dropped-pitman-arms-prevent-death-wobble.43628/...and at the culmination of a series of dumb decisions, starting with mushrooming the tapered bolt on the drag link and ending with me stripping the threads off the castle nut a couple hours ago.

As I see it, I have a few options. I could try to replace only the castle nut, leaving the damaged drag link end threads. Or, I could just replace the whole drag link end since the threads are already damaged. Or, I could take another trip down the "might-as-well" rabbit hole and just get the Currie Currectlync (I am already struggling with death wobble).

Thoughts?

OR.... you could upgrade to the ZJ steering components which would be substantially cheaper.

 

[Hog]

OR.... you could upgrade to the ZJ steering components which would be substantially cheaper.

And a JKS trackbar

 

[LONGJP2]

Shouldn't need Currie for DW. Hard to know if the threads are salvageable. Might need to rethink your removal technique.
I read through some of the other thread; did you ever get a new (quality) trackbar?

 

[joe98tj]

The Currie steering is a terrific upgrade for an offroading vehicle but why would you not just replace the Tie rod end with the damaged threads?

 

[Tob]

The Currie steering is a terrific upgrade for an offroading vehicle but why would you not just replace the Tie rod end with the damaged threads?

might-as-well philosophy. I am leaning more towards getting the tie rod end though.

 

[Tob]

Might need to rethink your removal technique.

Tell me about it

I read through some of the other thread; did you ever get a new (quality) trackbar?

Nope, still stock trackbar. I am pretty sure the reason I started getting death wobble is because I did not torque some of the steering linkage back to spec (no torque wrench, just guessed) when I was replacing the pitman arm. That's why I was under there today trying to tighten the castle nuts that I had messed with the other day.

 

[joe98tj]

might-as-well philosophy. I am leaning more towards getting the tie rod end though.

Quickest way to get it back on the road.

 

[LONGJP2]

Tell me about it.

Best way is to hit the part with the hole (from the side), not the joint or the threads.
Definitely get a new trackbar. ZJ steering upgrade is a good idea too.

 

[Tob]

Where do people find all these ZJ steering linkages? All the salvage yards I've been to are nearly 100% Jeep-free... except for the undesirable ones.

 

[CharlesHS]

Search in the TJ How to Guide section on the Forum and there will be a list of part numbers.
You can purchase these parts on Amazon...

 

[Gunnersmate]

As I have been down the path that you are now on my biggest recommendation would be to replace with Heavy Duty High Quality Parts don't cut corners here
Do a Search for Jeep Death Wobble the Track Bar is a good place to start but worn parts and out of tolerance parts can also have severe adverse affects on drivability
Somethings to check

Ball Joints (usually will show severe inside tire wear)

Control Arm Bushings these are rubber and will fail, these attach your axle to your frame there are 4 on the front axle and 4 on the rear axle 2 uppers and 2 lowers the rubber bushing is a wear a item just like a brake pad or clutch disc

Tie Rod Ends (cause poor handling and premature tire wear)

Track bar (this keeps your axle from moving side to side also can cause death wobble when worn) the rear Axle is set up the same some folks call these Panhard Bars

shocks

As to your original notation of damaged parts mushrooming and stripping threads. They are damaged replace them. trying to reuse damaged steering parts is bad idea especially the draglink to pitman arm if that fails you have absolutely no control of your vehicle

front suspension and steering that I just installed on my rig

 

[Tob]

I went ahead and just ordered the drag link end, should be here in two days. Thanks for the input, everyone. I may eventually upgrade all the steering linkage but right now I just need it back on the road so this will do.

 

[AndyG]

Best way is to hit the part with the hole (from the side), not the joint or the threads.
Definitely get a new trackbar. ZJ steering upgrade is a good idea too.

This is the post. May take 10-50 licks , but it will drop right out on its on. I don't even own a tie rod end fork any more. ZJ parts are made by moog and sold at oreillys .

Torque is likely not the death wobble issue.

If it happens at a certain speed, it's tires typically. If it happens when you hit a bump, really check your control arm bushings and track bar..and not by grabbing and pulling them. Do a dry test for the track bar and have a friend roll the Jeep and slam the brakes and watch the control arm connections if possible.

 

[Gunnersmate]

I had to beat mine like a redheaded stepchild and get a tie rod fork to get it apart

 

[TWiG01]

I went ahead and just ordered the drag link end, should be here in two days. Thanks for the input, everyone. I may eventually upgrade all the steering linkage but right now I just need it back on the road so this will do.

Probably the best move right now. Cheapest and quick

 

[LONGJP2]

Where do people find all these ZJ steering linkages? All the salvage yards I've been to are nearly 100% Jeep-free... except for the undesirable ones.

I wouldn't recommend used parts for steering.

Here's the ZJ tie rod (Moog) part numbers.

• ES3096L Tie Rod End (x1)
• ES2079S Adjusting Sleeve (x1)
• DS1312 Tie Rod (x1

 

[Akitadog]

I wouldn't recommend used parts for steering.

Here's the ZJ tie rod (Moog) part numbers.

• ES3096L Tie Rod End (x1)
• ES2079S Adjusting Sleeve (x1)
• DS1312 Tie Rod (x1

I did this upgrade was around $200 through Napa. Big difference in bar sizes.

 

[AndyG]

I wouldn't recommend used parts for steering.

Here's the ZJ tie rod (Moog) part numbers.

• ES3096L Tie Rod End (x1)
• ES2079S Adjusting Sleeve (x1)
• DS1312 Tie Rod (x1

Good post...Moog sells all of these and they're available at every major parts retailer...what it gets down to is if you're going through the front end on one it just doesn't cost that much more to use the bigger parts.

I may be as wrong as I can be...but my gut tells me that it pays to run larger parts when you run bigger tires and certainly if you go off road.

 

[Tob]

I wouldn't recommend used parts for steering.

Here's the ZJ tie rod (Moog) part numbers.

• ES3096L Tie Rod End (x1)
• ES2079S Adjusting Sleeve (x1)
• DS1312 Tie Rod (x1

I found them, thanks. For some reason I was under the impression that the ZJ steering upgrade was taken off of a ZJ, not bought new.

I decided against getting the whole set of ZJ linkage, because down the road, if I do upgrade the steering linkage, I may want to spend a bit extra for the Currie parts. $200 vs $500