6" Skyjacker lift steering interference

[ChipsTJ98]

I've searched quite a bit and haven't found my exact problem. Lots of discussions on steering etc.

I've got a 6inch long arm lift from Skyjacker (probably wouldn't go that route again but it has performed decently on rocks other scenarios ive thrown at it) and it came with a bracket to locate the axle end mount of the track bar to be above the axle in the stock steering stabilzer spot and then the steering stabilizer above that. It also came with a pretty significant drop pitman arm.

At first the jeep performed great but it had minor rubbing where the tie rod end at the drag link sits in front of the track bar mount. Over some time the steering is starting to loosen up and the interference is getting great and now experiencing death wobble.

I've thought about going back to the stock pitman arm, getting an adjustable track bar and putting it back in the stock location below the axle but I dont think it will solve the interferrence issue at the tie rod (where is connects to the drag link) and the the steering stabiler bracket.

Oh and I have done the ZJ steering upgrade (tie rod and ends).

I'm pretty sure the drag link and tie rod are not bent. I havent compared them but I havent slammed them hard while wheeling.

Thoughts?

 

[ChipsTJ98]

Just to be clear....im only asking about ideas on how to eliminate the interferrence with the tie rod and steering stabilzer/track bar bracket.

 

[jjvw]

Pull the axle backwards or add bend to the passenger side drag link.

 

[ChipsTJ98]

Pull the axle backwards or add bend to the passenger side drag link.

Interesting...so put in bench vice add heat and bend. Any risk to reducing strength?

 

[jjvw]

Might need a press. I don't use heat.

 

[ChipsTJ98]

Might need a press. I don't use heat.
View attachment 190507

Thanks

 

[Jerry Bransford]

... it came with a bracket to locate the axle end mount of the track bar to be above the axle in the stock steering stabilizer spot and then the steering stabilizer above that. It also came with a pretty significant drop pitman arm.

Raising the passenger-side of the track bar via that bracket and dropping the driver's side of the drag link via the dropped Pitman arm will totally screw up the steering geometry which will give you a significant case of bump steer. Bump steer is where the steering is forced left/right as the axle moves up/down. I wouldn't install either of those parts.

 

[ChipsTJ98]

Raising the passenger-side of the track bar via that bracket and dropping the driver's side of the drag link via the dropped Pitman arm will totally screw up the steering geometry which will give you a significant case of bump steer. Bump steer is where the steering is forced left/right as the axle moves up/down. I wouldn't install either of those parts.

I agree after I have learned more about it from this forum. It worked pretty well at first. After a few thousand miles and some wheeling with the rubbing at the tie rod/track bar bracket things loosened up over time and ive got some bump steer now.

I like the idea of trying to bend the drag link to push the tie rod away from the track bar bracket. And then I'll look at going back to stock pitman arm and a longer more adjustable track bar back in the stock location. I need to do some more learning about how important keeping the geometry parallel is and if i can achieve it with that set up.

 

[scottgraham]

I agree after I have learned more about it from this forum. It worked pretty well at first. After a few thousand miles and some wheeling with the rubbing at the tie rod/track bar bracket things loosened up over time and ive got some bump steer now.

I like the idea of trying to bend the drag link to push the tie rod away from the track bar bracket. And then I'll look at going back to stock pitman arm and a longer more adjustable track bar back in the stock location. I need to do some more learning about how important keeping the geometry parallel is and if i can achieve it with that set up.

It's all here, just takes a little time to find exactly what you're looking for.

 

[ChipsTJ98]

Update....

Well I lost the 4inch drop pitman arm and went back to stock and I lost the axle side track bar relocation bracket and put on a heavy duty adjustable track bar (JKS) and boom. I threw in the currie correctlynk steering and wow. Huge difference in handling. Now my only interference is at the drag link-tie rod y-joint and the passenger side sway bar link axle bracket. They just barely connect in far passenger side turns. Looks like ill be welding some longer brackets on and shortening in my sway bar links.

 

[Chris]

Update....

Well I lost the 4inch drop pitman arm and went back to stock and I lost the axle side track bar relocation bracket and put on a heavy duty adjustable track bar (JKS) and boom. I threw in the currie correctlynk steering and wow. Huge difference in handling. Now my only interference is at the drag link-tie rod y-joint and the passenger side sway bar link axle bracket. They just barely connect in far passenger side turns. Looks like ill be welding some longer brackets on and shortening in my sway bar links.

View attachment 196345

View attachment 196346

Or just do the smart thing and get a Currie Antirock if you can afford one

 

[ChipsTJ98]

Or just do the smart thing and get a Currie Antirock if you can afford one

Thanks! I just read your post on it and watch the video. Add it to the list!!