Steering

**kevinebass** · 05-13-2010, 11:40

Hey folks,
My son recently rear ended some dumb [email protected]@ woman who decided to stop in the middle of the road on green in my 92 YJ. Needless to say the bumper was banged up pretty good, the steering joint had collapsed and the front leaf spring was bent in the shape of a ?.

So after replacing all of those damaged items the steering wheel isn't centered perfectly, only about an inch or two off. On most vehicles I would just unbolt the drag link and twist a bit until it is centered. On the YJ there isn't an adjustment point on the drag link? There is the adjustment sleeve on the tie rod though?

So in order to adjust the steering wheel doesn't the adjustment have to be made on the trackbar where it connects to the pitman arm or am I just a retard? Wait don't answer the last part!

Thanks guys.

Kevin

**mrclean** · 05-17-2010, 19:08

Originally Posted by kevinebass

On the YJ there isn't an adjustment point on the drag link? There is the adjustment sleeve on the tie rod though?

So in order to adjust the steering wheel doesn't the adjustment have to be made on the trackbar where it connects to the pitman arm or am I just a retard? Wait don't answer the last part!

Thanks guys.

Kevin

Adjust the drag link. Loosen the jam-nuts and twist the link.
There is an adjustment on the tie rod, but that's for toe-in, it won't straighten the steering wheel.
And the track bar doesn't attach to the pitman arm. The track bar attaches between the axle housing and the frame, and no adjustment is possible, unless you have an aftermarket adjustable bar.

**91YEEPER** · 05-17-2010, 19:27

you have your terminology wrong, the draglink is what connects to the pitman arm, and what you need to adjust.

the trackbar should be promptly removed and thrown in the trash.

**Jeffb_79** · 05-17-2010, 20:13

The track bar can be thrown away, it's definitely not needed with a front leaf sprung vehicle.
The drag link goes from the pitman arm, down to the tie rod. There's a sleeve a few inches down from the tie rod. Loosen both bolts and turn it.

**kevinebass** · 05-18-2010, 11:05

Appreciate your guy's help on this.

Jeffb,
that is the exact picture I used to try and explain what I meant.

As for the drag link, my 92 YJ does not have the adjustment sleeve. That is the part that I don't understand, shouldn't there be one there? I willl have to take a pic and post it up.

Now on the track bar, I daily drive my jeep on the pavement, is removing the track bar going to cause any undue body roll or anything? I have read on jeepforum that most guys recommend not taking it off if the jeep is driven on the road more than not.

Any insight and testimonials on this?

Thanks again fellas.

kevin

**Navydoc8778** · 05-18-2010, 16:40

Your trac-bar is used to center the axle under the vehicle.

**HillBillE** · 05-18-2010, 16:50

Originally Posted by Navydoc8778

Your trac-bar is used to center the axle under the vehicle.

+1. The sway-bar helps with body roll, and if you run a hard top, you may want to keep it (and have disconnects for wheeling)

The trac bar on a leaf sprung rig is pretty much useless, not sure why they even used them on the YJ's. CJ's never had them (although some full size leaf sprung Waggy's did-front and rear)

Are you sure your drag link isn't on 'backwards'? With the adjuster sleeve down near the tire?

I do believe they can be put on that way, with the steering stabilizer and tie rod mounts swapped.

**kevinebass** · 05-19-2010, 10:53

HillBillE,
I will have to check that. The more I get into this jeep the more I think it has an aftermarket engine, only a 2.5 but I don't think it is stock. I have found parts missing bolts and bolts that should never be lose, manifold, are hand tight. Maybe the PO did in fact switch the drag link around. If it is should I be worried? I really need to take a frickin pic of this and post it up for the smart folks.

Thanks all.
Kev