MorbidPh8

Hi I have a 96 Stock XJ 4x4 Country.

While driving and hitting dips, bumps, etc. The whole front end just is so clunky. No matter how big or small the bumps. No uncontrollable bouncing or anything. Likes to wonder a bit with the steering though.

So I decided to check out my front suspension. I can wiggle the sway bar by hand. So I am pretty sure I need new bushing for the sway bar. Their are a couple of other bushing/boots Im worried about. I just don't know what the parts names are. So I can see about changing the rubber.

Here are some pics.

Sway bar link? New ones are cheap. The rubber looks like it shrinked.


Not sure what this is, but it looks like it is about to explode. lol


Again not sure what this is but it looks old.


Tie Rod? Looks bad as well.


The other side, rubber looks busted.


I have not tested the ball joints yet. I hope I don't need to replace them. Youtube videos show how to change them, but it looks like a pita.

If you guy could help with the names of these parts. They are Tie rods right? I can figure out what I need to replace. I think I'll start with the sway bar bushings.

If I can get this done, then I can move on to the rear. My Leafs are sagging BAD. Thanks

Mendax13

1. sway bar link bushings
2.Drag link TRE (pitman arm side)
3. tie rod end
4 tie rod looks old but not damaged could just replace the TRE's and it should be good as new
5.looks like it should be replaced.

advice is change all TRE's for good measure if 3 of the 4 are bad the fourth is probably on its way out.

dogkatcher

doin it yourself? I just did ALL of that last fall.. after you get 1 done, its fairly easy if you have patience

quite a bit involved .. this is kind of vague

get a pickle fork .. to separate boots/bushings .... use large hammer to smack fork between them .. don't be shy, they may need some force .. most likely will pop apart loud

get a bunch of cotter pins for reinstall .. rubber will need to be scraped out of old areas too .. needle file, steel pick, razor blade .. tedious

if really serious .. you may as well .. pull the brakes / hubs / axle shafts out .. inspect balljoint movement .. removing all of that free's up the steer knuckle & linkage

on that note .. may as well refurb it all .. get it done

tear it down .. makes it easy .. as long as you don't change tie rod spacing, alignment should be ok


Add front axle shaft U-joints to your list .. from the looks of everything else .. you're due .. they're cheap if you can do it


I did it in groups .. wish I tore it apart from day 1 .. somehow I managed

EvstaG

Wow that's a shiny front end. My brand new ball joints and axle u-joints looked completely rusted, almost like the old ones I replaced (they were 24 years old) after about a week.

MorbidPh8

Yea Ill end up doing it myself. Already checked out some youtube videos. Doesn't look that bad to change TRE. Yea I think Ill replace all 4 TRE's. Might as well if I have it apart.

Looking on RockAuto for Parts. I am at least happy parts are pretty cheap. Still gonna have to save up though. I just replaced the whole cooling system on it. At least it will be ready for the summer heat.

So looks like Ill need

Sway Bar Bushings
Sway Bar Links (Just gonna get news ones instead of just the bushings)
All 4 TRE

I do think I need Front Axle Ujoints. Turning in 4wd. Feels like something grinds while turning. I have not jack up the front and checked, but on the ground the front axles have no play. Might as well replace them with it all off.

Also how can you check if your steering damper is bad?

Yay more items for the ever growing parts list. lol

MorbidPh8

Ok looking at Rockauto I am getting a bit confused on the TRE's

For MEVOTECH Brand they list four part numbers, but two of them to seem to be the same part? Just different number. So do I need one of each? Or two of one of the TRE's?

MEVOTECH Part # MES3094L {#ES3094L}
Front Left Outer; Steering Arm To Steering Arm
AT PITMAN ARM; Front Left Outer

MEVOTECH Part # MES3095R {#ES3095R}
STEERING ARM TO CONNECTING TIE ROD; Front Right Inner
Front Right Inner; Steering Arm To Connecting Tie Rod

MEVOTECH Part # MDS1238 {#DS1238}
PITMAN ARM TO RH STEERING ARM; RH CONNECTING TIE ROD; Front Right Outer
Front Right Outer; Pitman Arm to RH Steering Arm; RH Connecting Tie Rod

MEVOTECH Part # MES3096L {#ES3096L}
STEERING ARM TO STEERING ARM; Front Left Outer
Front Left Outer; At Pitman Arm

The last parts seems to be the same as the top on I posted. Do I just need 2 of the one part? Their description seems to be the same.

Thanks