New XJ..steering issue, cuz ima newb!

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Jan 16, 2010 | 05:08 PM
  #1  
Well first off heres the front end.



It's a 95 xj with 5inches of lift and it's got upgraded tie rod from the ZJ. When i was driving around I noticed that when I drive straight, the steering wheel has lots of play towards the right side, however when turned to the left, there is no play and the steering is fine. Could this be an alignment issue or something greater?
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Jan 16, 2010 | 05:12 PM
  #2  
First off the ZJ tie rod is backwards. The adjuster should be at the knuckle and not at the drag link. The play could be alignment or just due to not having the sway bar connected.
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Jan 16, 2010 | 06:54 PM
  #3  
Quote: First off the ZJ tie rod is backwards. The adjuster should be at the knuckle and not at the drag link. The play could be alignment or just due to not having the sway bar connected.
Thanks for the reply! So this could be the issue of my loose steering towards the right. The adjuster must be loose? I should put the tie rod on correctly and then adjust accordingly correct?
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Jan 16, 2010 | 07:04 PM
  #4  
At least put the tie rod on correctly and have the alignment checked. You can do a quick driveway alignment by measuring the distance between the inside edges of the rims on the front tires. Measure the front edge of the rim then the back edge and adjust the tie rod accordingly until they are as close as possible then have a shop do a full alignment.

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Jan 17, 2010 | 07:14 PM
  #5  
So just to get this right, the tie rod should be switched around, with the adjuster on the left knuckle, right?
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Jan 17, 2010 | 07:20 PM
  #6  
Yes
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Jan 17, 2010 | 07:49 PM
  #7  
First you need to adjust your steering box to tighten your steering up. Then go from there
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Jan 18, 2010 | 01:05 PM
  #8  
New problem, the guy that sold me the xj didnt tell me about this!




Where can i get new mounting brackets from? anything stronger or better then stock?
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Jan 18, 2010 | 01:20 PM
  #9  
Just weld it back on. You can buy stronger mounts, but you have to weld them also. You can run just one top link. Some lift kits do that. Mine is currently only one top link.
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Jan 18, 2010 | 03:42 PM
  #10  
Quote: Just weld it back on. You can buy stronger mounts, but you have to weld them also. You can run just one top link. Some lift kits do that. Mine is currently only one top link.
By one top link you mean just one upper arm connected? I feel the need to get some RC flex arms because its sitting at 6" in the front and the short arms have a really steep angle on them. Might as well get upper and lower RC countrol arms, but where can I get those mounts you speak of? Thanks man
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Jan 18, 2010 | 03:46 PM
  #11  
You can run 1 top link on the street only, as 4.3 suggests, but I would get that fixed ASAP. His set up utilizes HD parts and brackets, so his will be plenty strong. The stock pieces are not near strong enough to run in a single UCA application, IMHO.
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Jan 22, 2010 | 02:16 PM
  #12  
Ok so here's the plan, Im going to buy the RC control arm drop and their flex control arms.
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_..._arm_drop.html
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xtr...trol-arms.html

I still am wondering where I can get the upper control arm brackets, either aftermarket or stock. I found these but not sure if it will do the trick.

http://www.extremegearoffroad.com/st...cat=546&page=1
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Jan 22, 2010 | 02:53 PM
  #13  
Try Iron Rock off road.
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Jan 22, 2010 | 02:58 PM
  #14  
Quote: By one top link you mean just one upper arm connected? I feel the need to get some RC flex arms because its sitting at 6" in the front and the short arms have a really steep angle on them. Might as well get upper and lower RC countrol arms, but where can I get those mounts you speak of? Thanks man
Yes. I currently have one top link on. The reason your mount worked its way into a crack and then went south on you is the tremendous forces built up in a lifted XJ between the four links. You can remove those forces during articulation by running only one top link and using like a three link. Might need poly bushings in it though
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Aug 7, 2010 | 12:32 AM
  #15  
whats wrong with his front end?im not seeing it
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