Hi all, and good evening.

Could someone please tell me the name and function of the hose/tube outlined in white in the picture? I replaced it before around 4-5 years ago, because I remember getting a much different looking hose from the dealer (stiff but bendable corrugated metal as pictured) than the original tape-covered-spring-like hose I imagine was a original stock item. Installation, in case no one knows, is accomplished through skill bordering on magic. Its favorite game ever is to slip off one end when its other end is somehow properly attached. (We were playing this one together just a few days ago!)
Also--what about the vacuum motor (I'm guessing) with the question mark I outlined in black? What is its vital function? Every air filter mod I've seen here and elsewhere mentions nothing at all about including it in the build or suddenly not using it when the new filter/heat shield is installed. Thanks much--any help is greatly appreciated.

 

THE HOSE is part of the emissions control the black box is just a vent not a motor

 

The only way to replace just the ball joint would be if you had an adjustable track bar but then it would be a heim or johnny joint and not a TRE you have to replace the entire track bar(panhard bar) unless you upgrade to an adjustable one

 

What is the benefit of the air filter mod (such as K&N, possibly) for my '90 XJ 4.0 L6 if its just my DD and not an off-road vehicle...yet?

I love the idea of getting rid of the factory air box but won't bother if that's a specialty mod unlikely to benefit my situation.

 

If the track bar is moving loosely at that joint, you will need to replace the ball joint at that end. However, this won't affect your steering problems. Where is the steering slop happening? If the steering linkage is moving before the tires, you will need new drag link end (at tire) and new tie rod end (at tire). If the slop is actually at the pitman arm, that joint should be replaced.

This should help:

 

The main benefit is it is reusable / washable, and you won't have to buy an air filter ever again, just the recharge kit every 5-7 cleanings.

The other benefit is increased airflow if properly maintained. You will typically not notice a difference over the stock filter unless you also have a bored throttle body and a free flowing exhaust, and even then it's not really power, just better throttle response.

 

Incorrect

The other end is attached to the exhaust manifold heat shield correct? You must have a TBI Jeep cherokee. The function of the two parts in question is to deliver warm air to the engine intake during warmup to assist with idle and warmup when it is cold outside, and to reduce emissions at startup. The vacuum motor is to open/close the butterfly valve inside the airbox intake to take air from either the warm air hose, or the colder outside air.

While not absolutely necessary to keep these items, it's advisable to leave them, especially if you live in a winter state.

 

hmm thats unfortunate news :P what exactly does the track bar do? I havnt seen any other loose components on the front end. When my friend moves the steering slop I see the track bar moving around where it connects to the frame. I also see the body moving to the left or to the right without the wheels moving. And I see the steering linkage spinning without the wheels moving. Other facts include my steering slop getting alittle better when I put more powersteering fluid in.

Over all this thing has slop everywhere, seems to have slop in the rear end, transmission linkage, and a leaky front brake caliper

It has a lot of oil everywhere and a stock guard of some kind which I need to take off to see everything better.

 

Oh i understand the issue now.

The trackbar prevents lateral (side to side) movement of the axle with respect to the body. Since that joint is bad, when you turn the wheel the body/axle shifts first, then the wheels turn.

You can either get a new bar with new bushings already installed.
http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/2010...jeep-cherokee/

Or you can install your own new bushings in your existing trackbar.
http://www.gibnet.us/JeepMods/trackbar.htm

 

ah ok, so is this all I need

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/product...umber=52007118

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/product...number=5352421 - assuming I check and its bad?

 

First Link - Yes
Second Link - NO, that is for a FSJ (Full size) cherokee. Fix the trackbar first, then you'll be able to see if those joints are bad as well.

Note: The descriptions are switched on this website:
Drag Link: http://www.jeep4x4center.com/product...mber=52006592K
Tie Rod: http://www.jeep4x4center.com/product...mber=52087674K

 

ah thanks a lot! I thought I had a full size? 2 door 1985 cherokee? is there a bigger one than mine?

 

yea...the SJ Cherokee

 

I have been really happy with Yakima racks. They offer towers that sit in the rain gutters of your XJ and will give up to 8" clearance from your roof. Cross bars are strong enough on mine for 2 bikes and a full size spare with no give. Solid stuff and compatible with most other companies through direct install or adapters if you decide to mix and match.

 

ah yes that beast. makes sense.

alright one last question and Ill let this thread rest

I need a new front drive shaft and in the thread "everything you need to know about your xj" it states that there is some kind of difference between the 84 to 85 drive shafts being a gkn style. It also states the older 2 doors could have a 4.10 gear ratio or a 3.31 gear ratio. Since I have to match the gears up if im swapping the rear end. Do I have to find all 84 85 parts to swap a rear end or will a slightly newer dana 35 swap without problems. And how do I know what gear ratio I have?