Over vs Under
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 187
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From: Dover PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Power Tech I-6
Over Steering Knuckle vs Under Steering Knuckle. The only difference I know is over is more involved when installing. This will be for DD. JCR is company I found parts at for price I liked. Pros & Cons
OTK requires drilling to a larger size and either running flipserts or reaming for a larger TRE.
OTK tie-rods can be too large in Diameter and limit turning your turning radius due to interference from the sway bar mounts. These can be ground slightly or in some cases relocated.
OTK tie rods on an inverted Y steering system can and will lead to bump steer do the change in steering geometry. The drag link will no longer be parallel with the track bar. An over the axle track bar mount can be used to elevate the track bar. Take a look at the following pic (my son's XJ) for an example of a parallel track bar and drag link.
OTK tie-rods can be too large in Diameter and limit turning your turning radius due to interference from the sway bar mounts. These can be ground slightly or in some cases relocated.
OTK tie rods on an inverted Y steering system can and will lead to bump steer do the change in steering geometry. The drag link will no longer be parallel with the track bar. An over the axle track bar mount can be used to elevate the track bar. Take a look at the following pic (my son's XJ) for an example of a parallel track bar and drag link.
aka Wade-O
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 10
From: IN
Year: 1989 Comanche
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
and a pic with OTK and stock tracbar axle mount. i will be making a new tracbar and axle mount soon. it has bumpsteer, but it wasnt wicked. a plus for OTK is the clearance you gain too.
If done right OTK is a great option and the same goes for UTK. It really boils down to budget and how/where you wheel. A mud guy doesn't need the same steering as a rock crawlin' guy (or gal).
frank? did you buy a knuckle for you passanger side so you can bolt your drag link and sutff up to the the same knuckle. how did you do that, i would like to do the exact same. and make beefier steering, with hiems and such. pics????
aka Wade-O
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 10
From: IN
Year: 1989 Comanche
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
the draglink goes to the pass side tie-rod, not the knuckle.
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aka Wade-O
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 10
From: IN
Year: 1989 Comanche
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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
Whether or not you go over the knuckle as illustrated here or not depends mainly on two things. How high you are lifted and are you in the rocks. Raising the tie rod is great in areas where there are solid obstacles, like rocks. My opinion for what it is worth is that anyone with a lift over 6" needs some steering solution that raises the drag link and a corresponding track bar relocation. personally, I went with a high steer and over the knuckle tie rod.
You can't see my drag link in this pic, but you can see the tie rod.
You can't see my drag link in this pic, but you can see the tie rod.



