Steering clearence issues
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
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From: west virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have a 99 xj with 5.5in lift. As for the steering I have added an adjustable track bar and a drop pit man arm. The problem is that where the tie rod and drag link meet is hitting the bottom of the swaybar. I have looked through the forums and the only answers I've seen is cut it off. Being I drive it on the interstate everyday I would rather not. The other, move the axle back some. I don't want to mess up the steering which feels good right now and amworried that buy moving the axle it will mess this up. I should also say I have control arms that are aftermarket that came with the lift that are on the jeep also. I'm just a newbie so any help is appreciated. Thanks guys.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: west virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
this is my first time putting pics on here so hopefully all goes well. the fist pic is when the contact is happening. the wheels are turned all the way to the passengers side. those are a set of RE sway discos. the next pic is with the tires straight on pretty level ground.sorry about the darkness of the photos but my garage is a tarp and its kinda dark and rainy here today. if the photos aren't on here ill try again later
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: west virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm in charleston wv so the highway traffic isn't as bad as a larger city. I drive around 15 to 20 miles everyday and with the exception of the discussed problem it drives suprisingly nice. It's no Cadillac don't get me wrong, but it could be a lot worse. I've owned a lot worse.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
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From: west virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What kit. What will it do to help. I could just cut it off and weld it back a little higher. I just though there might be an alternative to cutting. If it's a kit I would love to know which one. Thanks
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,383
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Year: 1988 limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 litre
The steering linkage looks straight to me (PingPong?)
What i notice is that the axle is rotated with the pinion pointing towards the TC.
How much drop in the pitman arm, 1.5? you might want to go with 3.
What i notice is that the axle is rotated with the pinion pointing towards the TC.
How much drop in the pitman arm, 1.5? you might want to go with 3.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: west virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Will going to a pitman with a larger drop turn the axle back. If not what would be the easiest way to handle that. I'm not sure what pingpong means. I'm new to this sorry. If it means where is it hitting. It is visible in thefirst pic. It's where the bottom of the sway link and that joint are. Thanks for the help guys I do appreciate it.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 5
Year: 1988 limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 litre
Will going to a pitman with a larger drop turn the axle back. If not what would be the easiest way to handle that. I'm not sure what pingpong means. I'm new to this sorry. If it means where is it hitting. It is visible in thefirst pic. It's where the bottom of the sway link and that joint are. Thanks for the help guys I do appreciate it. 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
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From: west virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Sorry. Like I said I'm learning. If you can't laugh at your self, then who. Lol. Seriosly thanks for the help. I have adjustable upper control arms. Could these be out to far. Just brainstorming. Thought they might be rotating the axle.
Registered Users
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 850
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Year: 91 with lots of 01' parts
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 01' 4.0L
it looks to me like a dropped pitman arm is the cheapest and easiest solution to your prob. when i was running 5.5'' on my xj with stock steering, i had the same issue. i replaced my stock pitman arm with skyjackers, Extreme Drop pitman arm.......never had any issues after that.(im pretty sure its a 3'' drop pitman arm.)
also....look at your pinion angle. it should be at the same angle as the front output yoke on your t-case. if its not, your uppers could be adjusted out to far.....they might have done this to help with the castor readings.
if you do any of the above mentioned you will need to get an alinment afterwards.....except the chop and weld mothod!!
also....look at your pinion angle. it should be at the same angle as the front output yoke on your t-case. if its not, your uppers could be adjusted out to far.....they might have done this to help with the castor readings.
if you do any of the above mentioned you will need to get an alinment afterwards.....except the chop and weld mothod!!
Last edited by xjbones; Jan 21, 2010 at 07:30 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
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From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
What has happened is that the axle is rotated forward or in other words your castor is or positive. This happens with lifts. Many kits are for all years of XJs. Those with high pinion D30 fronts can be lifted more and not have driveline vibration issues. Those with low pinion, not as much. To compensate for possible vibrations and cover all the bases, the kits rotate the axle forward. If you can get some adjustable top links you can restore your castor angle. The other option is to do a little welding and move the sway bar mount up higher so it will clear.


