Steering Linkage Help Please

[EJD]

Alright so I need to do some repairs that I have never done before so i'm looking for some help from the forum on this one.

In a nutshell I was doing an alignment cause my steering wheel is sitting at 11 o'clock instead of at 12 and my Tie Rod Sleeves won't turn. I drove it up to the Mechanic down the street to see if they had some heat they could apply and be able to turn it but they were unsuccessful and said they are rusted too bad and just need to be replaced.

They suggested I replace 4 Tie Rod Ends, 2 Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeves, Drag Link, and Steering Stabilizer (while I was in there). They gave me a quote on parts which I always feel is high, and I think I can do this type of job myself but am looking for some guidance on this project.

Anyone have good part numbers or brand names or know of any kits that may include a bunch of the linkage i'm looking for? Any special tools I may need for this type of job? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[FireJeep]

Do a search for a steering upgrade to a ZJ, there is a how to in the how to section. All OEM parts which equates to reliability, but from a ZJ so the components are more heavy duty..... hope this helps

 

[David Kishpaugh]

v8 zj links and tj drag link...

MOO ES2079S x2
MOO DS1312
MOO ES3096L x2
MOO DS1430

I prefer currie ce9701

 

[RaymondT]

Here's the Moog site if you want to poke around.

http://www.moogparts.com/find-my-part.html

Then take your numbers over to Amazon for the best deals.

 

[EJD]

I was just flipping around in the ZJ conversion thread and I have to say its a cool find! Are the benefits just that its bigger/stronger? or are there other benefits?

 

[bobthetj03]

Do the Moog ZJ upgrade.

I was just flipping around in the ZJ conversion thread and I have to say its a cool find! Are the benefits just that its bigger/stronger? or are there other benefits?

Yes, the bend on the driver side of the ZJ tie rod gives more clearance when the suspension is at full stuff.

 

[Squatch]

Any special tools I may need for this type of job? Any advice is appreciated.

A pickle fork and a BFH are really helpful. And with the BFH, you usually don't even need the pickle fork. A pickle fork will destroy the boots, but being that you'll be replacing them with the new ones, it's inconsequential.

 

[EJD]

Thanks guys, this is a new job for me so I really appreciate the tips and help along the way! I know whatever is on there is original and is gonna be a pain to get off since its all rusted together.

 

[Squatch]

Thanks guys, this is a new job for me so I really appreciate the tips and help along the way! I know whatever is on there is original and is gonna be a pain to get off since its all rusted together.

The ends are a tapered fit (tapered shaft), and I've yet to see one where they've been rusted. I've broken 'em loose from cars that have had the front ends buried in the mud for years, and never found a single one with rust. It's just too tight of a fit to allow moisture in to create rust. Now, an adjustable sleeve (ie: tie rod end adjustment) is a different story. But for what you're doing, I think you'll be fine.

 

[EJD]

The ends are a tapered fit (tapered shaft), and I've yet to see one where they've been rusted. I've broken 'em loose from cars that have had the front ends buried in the mud for years, and never found a single one with rust. It's just too tight of a fit to allow moisture in to create rust. Now, an adjustable sleeve (ie: tie rod end adjustment) is a different story. But for what you're doing, I think you'll be fine.

Oh I was talking about all the castle nuts and everything being rusted but I didn't specify that really. I just hope I can get everything off and back together the correct way, might look for a YouTube video to catch a glimpse of the job ahead too.

 

[Squatch]

Oh I was talking about all the castle nuts and everything being rusted but I didn't specify that really. I just hope I can get everything off and back together the correct way, might look for a YouTube video to catch a glimpse of the job ahead too.

Yep. I forgot about castle nuts. A cut-off wheel or big chisel will be your friend there, as long as there's no need to re-use the part. Again, you got this!

 

[Serbonze]

Just to hop in here. You center the steering wheel via the drag link, not the tie rod. You don’t need to touch the tie rod or need an alignment for that. You just loosen the two bolts on the drag link sleeve.

 

[EJD]

Just to hop in here. You center the steering wheel via the drag link, not the tie rod. You don’t need to touch the tie rod or need an alignment for that. You just loosen the two bolts on the drag link sleeve.

The mechanic at the shop was definitely trying to rotate the Tie Rod with a pipe wrench, there are marks left on it from him trying. I didn't know better, i've never messed with steering linkage at all so i'm just trying to go with the flow, learn what I can and not get ripped off in the process.

I do know that none of the linkage has been replaced so far so it can only help things out but, the mechanic told me it could not be aligned because of certain pieces were shot and needed to be replaced. Then gave me a list of items I should consider replacing.

 

[Serbonze]

Well there is no doubt that he can’t set the toe in/out (the only “alignment” that he can do) if if the tie rod is rusted solid. However, that’s not going to help your steering wheel get centered.

If everything in there is rusted solid, there is a good chance that your drag link sleeve is too. And as you have found, the ZJ tie rod is a great inexpensive upgrade while you are doing it.

Honestly though, you may want to find a different mechanic as he should have known that trying to adjust the tie rod wasn’t the way to center your steering wheel.

 

[EJD]

Well there is no doubt that he can’t set the toe in/out (the only “alignment” that he can do) if if the tie rod is rusted solid. However, that’s not going to help your steering wheel get centered.

If everything in there is rusted solid, there is a good chance that your drag link sleeve is too. And as you have found, the ZJ tie rod is a great inexpensive upgrade while you are doing it.

Honestly though, you may want to find a different mechanic as he should have known that trying to adjust the tie rod wasn’t the way to center your steering wheel.

Oh I hear that, saturday mechanic shop, only thing that was open...not my first choice, just a random.

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

Here's the Moog site if you want to poke around.

http://www.moogparts.com/find-my-part.html

Then take your numbers over to Amazon for the best deals.

Actually, once you get the link from Amazon, paste it here and buy off the link pasted. This way the forum gets a bump.