Drop pitman arm vs. Tie rod flip

[HillBillE]

My CJ is only lifted 3" by the springs, but that was enough to throw the steering geometry out of whack. I thought by going with a drop pitman arm, it would correct this.
While it did correct the steering issue, mainly 'bump steer', it also created a new problem: having the pitman arm exposed to the rocks.
My solution was to go back to the stock, flat, pitman arm, and do a tie rod flip.
Before flip with drop pitman arm:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/CJ%20Rebuild%202%20Dec07/tierodflip001.jpg
After flip with stock arm:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/CJ%20Rebuild%202%20Dec07/tierodflip004.jpg
Before:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/CJ%20Rebuild%202%20Dec07/tierodflip002.jpg
After:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/CJ%20Rebuild%202%20Dec07/tierodflip003.jpg
Now I may still hit the tie rod, but the steering gearbox will be safe(r).
It moved the tie rod and drag link up about 3" from the stock location.
The only downside to this, is the factory steering dampner won't work, however an aftermarket style will. HB

[02tj]

Nice job! now...... trim those axle u-bolts lol!

[HillBillE]

Nice job! now...... trim those axle u-bolts lol!

No kidding! They hang up on everything! I was hoping to get my front U-bolts flipped before my trip to Moab, but it's not going to happen. So I'l retorque and trim them this week.

Here's how the rear U-bolt flip came out:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/CJ%20Rebuild%202%20Dec07/fenders-cage068.jpg

Now it will slide over rocks! At least in the back.........:D

[Devildog]

Nice job, steering geometry looks good on the front. Also did you order that u-bolt flip or make it yourself?

[HillBillE]

Nice job, steering geometry looks good on the front. Also did you order that u-bolt flip or make it yourself?

Thanks! I had the U-bolts custom made locally, the rest I fabbed up from stuff in the shop.

[CJ Chet]

That OEM stabilizer bracket should still work. I did the same flip, but with longer shackles, so I had to use the drop arm. I have Big Daddy heavy duty arms with BDS 4" lift. I just ordered new U-bolts (from BDS). Worked like a Doll!
And YES! I need to trim those U-bolts.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w86/CJChet/PICT0374.jpg

[HillBillE]

That OEM stabilizer bracket should still work.

I'll have to recheck clearances. I have the SOLID dif cover, and the tie rod almost hit it before the flip. Looking at your set up, I just may be able to run it.

I'm going to sleeve my tie rod (I ''taco'd'' mine yesterday) so I culd just weld the bracket on, rather than use small U-bolts. It drives good, but the 12.5 wide tires tend to wander a bit.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c108/Numbchux/NSW%20Opener%202008/PICT3693.jpg

[jon93zj]

does anyone know if this will work on a zj?

[HillBillE]

does anyone know if this will work on a zj?

Not on the stock steering setup. The ZJ (and XJ's) have a different setup, consisting of a "Y" style tie rod/drag link.

Easiest way to beef up the ZJ/XJ steering, is to use the tie rod from a V8 ZJ, as they are bigger and beefier than the XJ or ZJ w/4.0L inline 6 motor.

Here's what the ZJ, XJ and TJ steering looks like (stock)

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/diagrams/tjsteering1.jpg

You can see the tie rod runs from the Drag Link to the Driver side knuckle, on the CJ, the Tie Rod runs from the Pass side knuckle to the Driver side knuckle.

[jon93zj]

yea, your right, my bad, guess i need to pay more attention to the jeep, i had heard something about the v8 zj steering bars being a slight upgrade for my 4.0 zj, thanks for the clear up though

[HillBillE]

No problem!

I have the ZJ V8 tie rod on my XJ, no problems so far. Nice thing is, it's a direct bolt in and available at the auto parts stores.

The tie rod itself, and the ends, are much heavier, yet the taper of the ends still fit the knuckle and drag link mounts, so no fabbing or drilling is required.

The part #'s are:

DS1312 - (long part) technichally called: "Frt Strg; Inner; LH; At Connecting Tie Rod"

ES3096L- The TRE that mounts into the driver side knuckle. Also called: " Frt Strg; Outer; LH;"

You can get both new for under $100, or get the MOOG brand, for $120.

[jon93zj]

thanks, by chance do you know of any steering box upgrade for the zj/xj? im in the process of re-doing all my steering componets, got some major slop that i dont like,and i figured since i was doing it, might as well upgrade

[HillBillE]

thanks, by chance do you know of any steering box upgrade for the zj/xj? im in the process of re-doing all my steering componets, got some major slop that i dont like,and i figured since i was doing it, might as well upgrade

Not offhand, I know PSC and some others have stuff, but they get pricey.

I'd find the slop first, it could be something simple, or a combo of things.

Common things to check:

Bolts holding the steering gearbox on,

Frame where the bolts go through (look for cracks)

TRE's (tie rod ends)

The track bar being loose will also cuase a sloppy steering feel, as well as bad ball joints.

[jon93zj]

yea, thats what im doing, but its all still the stock linkage for the steering, so i decided that its well past time to re-build, (stock 93 zj steering linkage other than the trac bar, and the control arms, they are all teraflex), and i decided to just go ahead and upgrade everything while im under there, so i wont have to worry with it for awhile, i mean im going as fr as even replacing the control arm bushings, and everything