kissthis66

Looking to replace the 4 steering tie rod ends on the XJ. Are all 4 of the tie rod ends the same part numbers? Was gonna order off rockauto as they seem to have the best prices from the quick search i did. Just not sure as to what to order.

Stabsthedrama

No they are all slightly different actually, and this can be a bit confusing at first.

Use this as a guide:
http://www.quadratec.com/Assets/Know...teering(1).jpg

And this video:

AFAIK this is just about the same with any Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, or Comanche of any year.

Use a pickle fork and a BFH, you should soak down all the TRE's and castle nuts with PB blaster the night before you do it. (TRE abbreviates Tie Rod end)

You will need:

TRE: Front Left Outer

TRE: Front Left Inner (To Connecting Tie Rod)

TRE: Front Right Inner (To Pitman Arm)

TRE: Front Right Outer (this is the long "drag" link, its a big long bar with a TRE on the one end, the outer end - the other end goes to adjusting sleeve and then to the front right inner to pitman arm)

TRE: Adjusting sleeve (right) (Pitman Arm to Steering Arm) (the short one)

TRE: Adjusting sleeve (left) (Steering Arm To Connecting Rod) - this is the really long tube in the picture noted as a "tie rod" - in fact it's just an empty tube connecting the 2 TRE's at its ends.

Go with all Moog, from Rockauto. If something isn't in stock, get the other best replacement.
You could probably reuse the old adjusting sleeves, but to be safe they're cheap enough to order new ones.
I think with all the TRE's, adjusting sleeves, stabilizer, and track bar - I paid maybe $200.

Only other components left for the front steering system would be a track bar and steering stabilizer.
Track bar can be done separately as it only connects to frame and axle tube, but the stabilizer ($40 Moog on RA) is cheap enough to be worth doing if you're doing TRE's.
You will be unbolting it from the drag link anyway. It's definitely beefier and an upgrade over the stock one.

I doubt you should need a pitman. They rarely ever need changing, and usually if they do it's for a drop pitman for big lifts.

Get an alignment when all done.

If you do the track bar (if it needs to be done) Either get an OEM Moog, or I would look into an adjustable one that can adjust from stock height like:
http://www.rocky-road.com/jeep-cherokee-track-bar.html - which does 0-3" - that way you can put it on and if you ever lift you have it ready to adjust. A 3" lift is plenty as far as I'm concerned, but if you want anything bigger you'll need one with more adjustment.
You need one past 3" lift, and it's arguable that you need one with any lift, since it will off center your axle with any amount of lift and a stock track bar.

Save all your castle nuts, they are shockingly hard to find anywhere these days. Also maybe save old zerk fittings.

kissthis66

Wow thank you so much, think you answered all my questions and then some. Much appreciated!!!

Stabsthedrama

added to the top

steelybill

That was a great informative post !!

Bill

Stabsthedrama

Edited the above post for future copying and pasting.