Looking for tie rod & drag link options

fourpointzero

fourpointzero

TJ Addict
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Jun 1, 2016
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New Jersey
Greetings fam,

In this processes of changing out brakes, spindles, etc, I noticed that when my Jeep is up on the lift, the axel sags lower on the drivers side. Looks like thats due to the trackbar. Though, correct me if Im wrong, I don’t think that’s an issue. The problem, to me, is that when I turn the steering to the passenger right, where my drag link meets my tie rod, it bangs against / is stopped by where the stabilizer links attach to the axle. Is this normal? When the Jeep is down on the ground, (see photo) nothing comes into contact while steering in any direction. So Im question if there’s any alt options so that this doesn’t happen. Maybe a different tie rod / drag link option?

My Jeep is an 01 w a 3” Zone spring lift and a JKS adjustable track bar.

Thanks!



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Pics will help but at any rate, you should upgrade the tie rod to the ZJ V8 set up or some other heavy duty tie rod. The stock one is thin, hollow, and bends easily.
 
Rob5589 said:
Pics will help but at any rate, you should upgrade the tie rod to the ZJ V8 set up or some other heavy duty tie rod. The stock one is thin, hollow, and bends easily.
Click to expand...

I actually do have the ZJ tie rod + parts, in box, waiting to be install. BUT, since they’re literally the same as the original parts, they wont clear the stabilizer any better.




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I wouldn't worry about the contact as you are never going to encounter a situation where the front end is completely hanging in the air and turning. Unless you are jumping or doing a wheelie, that is :D
 
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fourpointzero said:
Greetings fam,

In this processes of changing out brakes, spindles, etc, I noticed that when my Jeep is up on the lift, the axel sags lower on the drivers side. Looks like thats due to the trackbar. Though, correct me if Im wrong, I don’t think that’s an issue. The problem, to me, is that when I turn the steering to the passenger right, where my drag link meets my tie rod, it bangs against / is stopped by where the stabilizer links attach to the axle. Is this normal? When the Jeep is down on the ground, (see photo) nothing comes into contact while steering in any direction. So Im question if there’s any alt options so that this doesn’t happen. Maybe a different tie rod / drag link option?

My Jeep is an 01 w a 3” Zone spring lift and a JKS adjustable track bar.

Thanks!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
As stated, unless you drive your rig while it is on the lift or in the air, stop checking crap with the axles at full droop. Let me put that in perspective. I have a rig that I am working on for someone at least 50 weeks out of the year. I can afford a hoist and choose not to because all of our adjustments and dialing in need to happen at ride height.

The only way you will get interference like you referenced is if you go over a big jump and then try to turn all the way to the right. Hopefully I don't need to tell you what will happen if you land with the tires like that.

If you pull the springs and articulate it and then find the same issue, you have the axle too far forward, too little caster, bent draglink, or some combination thereof.
 
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mrblaine said:
As stated, unless you drive your rig while it is on the lift or in the air, stop checking crap with the axles at full droop. Let me put that in perspective. I have a rig that I am working on for someone at least 50 weeks out of the year. I can afford a hoist and choose not to because all of our adjustments and dialing in need to happen at ride height.

The only way you will get interference like you referenced is if you go over a big jump and then try to turn all the way to the right. Hopefully I don't need to tell you what will happen if you land with the tires like that.

If you pull the springs and articulate it and then find the same issue, you have the axle too far forward, too little caster, bent draglink, or some combination thereof.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Blaine. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t hang my wheels in a real world scenario. But when I was at the shop and one of the mechanics pointed out that interference, I figured it was because of the way the Jeep was hung. Just wanted to check in with someone who could confirm. Me, being a slight bit neurotic doesn’t help.


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fourpointzero said:
Chris, thanks for this very informative link! Really set my off-thinking straight.


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Click to expand...
Here is a reply from the thread.
sgtjdgelinas said:
I'm a big fan of my crossover steering, but for personal experience reasons. I had a Dodge Ram and the tie rod adjustment sleeve slipped off while I was pulling onto the highway. I lost all my steering. Luckily it was late and I got the truck to the side of the road.
So I personally feel better knowing there's no sleeves holding my steering together.
Click to expand...

There is so much wrong there it's hard to know where to start.
Sleeves don't fail without something being wrong that would have told you there was an issue that needs attention. Missing what was wrong is not a reason to swap to another style of steering.
Sleeves are just threaded adjusters. You can NOT have steering on a Jeep TJ without some sort of threaded adjuster be it on the ends of the joints or a sleeve of some sort. All threaded bits used in steering will fail if allowed to be used while whatever mechanism that is supposed to lock them in place gets loose and then is driven on. That is true for ANY style of steering, any adjustable control arm, any adjustable trackbar, etc.

The stock tie rod on a TJ is technically a threaded sleeve and there are less than a small handful of failed threads in them so the design is sound and proven as it is on almost all OEM vehicle steering systems out there.
 
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Nuggsfan said:
I am doing mine for clearance. Right now my drag link hits the stabilizer link when turning right. I want more space.


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Click to expand...
And again, you have the axle pushed too far forward, too little caster, a bent draglink or some combination thereof. Folks hit their draglink in JV all the time and we just pull them off, add some more bend, and send them out to do it again.
 
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Nuggsfan said:
Just an FYI ... Mine does the same thing... I am getting this to correct.... https://www.quadratec.com/products/16990_06_07.htm


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Click to expand...
That's a mistake. What sense does it make to spend that much time and effort on something and wind up with stock brake options, shortened trackbar, and no way to beef up the other side? For the amount of time and money you are going to spend you could do the WJ conversion, get the same results and wind up with great brakes. Even then though, if you don't move the springs back to the center of the axle, there is no good trackbar solution.
 
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