SeniorXJ

How the hell is this even possible??


So I bought these new Poly bushings from Ruff Stuff that eliminate the roll that the 1-ton tie rods are known for. Here's pics of the top bushing:




Here's a pic of the top Tie rod showing its tapered design:



Now look at how the tapered tie rod appears to be backwards & not rusted in place like I thought it was:




Here's the back side showing its not frozen in place & apparently seems to have a tapered fitting in there:




That things been together running & steering smooth for years & I cant remember the last time I pulled it off. BUT how the hell is this even possible???

chipmaker

That's perfectly normal. The tie rod stem tapers back down from the major O.D. where it enters the joint body. The joint is installed correctly. Now give her some B.F.H. lovin and break that taper loose!

SeniorXJ

There's no way that's normal because as I pull it out its getting bigger! Think about it, that means if u push it back in all the way, you will have a space there inside.

A second pair of eyes looked at it & its one of those tapered inserts cause there's weld marks on the front & that ring you see around the threads on the back is the insert.

Someone put it in backwards, pounded it in, tightened the hell out of it & I do believe I know the shop who did it. That shop was the last shop my XJ ever saw as I swore if I cant do it, then it doesn't get done! The XJ you see here is my 2nd build.

chipmaker

Maybe I'm missing something. Are you saying that the tapered insert is backwards, or the rod itself?

SteveMongr

The tie-rod is supposed to mount on backside of drag-link, but with a lifted rig the tie-rod joint can contact swaybar bracket. To remedy that, someone mounted the rod on front of drag-link.
I thought the poly bushing goes between drag-link and tie-rod, not on the pitman arm. Also, there is a strange collar on the pitman arm TRE, mated against pitman. What is that?

Jeep Driver

You are coming in from the front when you should be coming in from behind, the nut should be showing from the front of the XJ.

Jeep Driver

OR-

If there is a tapered insert the insert is in backwards.

I have no idea how your setup was to start with.


Maybe a pic of the entire geometry>>>?

SeriousOffroad

Which kit is that?

chipmaker

Nope. On a one ton set-up the drag link mounts from the front. Here is a pic of my Serious off-road kit.

SeniorXJ

No, all OTK systems mount in the front for clearance.


Yes, the poly bushing only goes between the drag & tie rod. I only did that for the sake of a picture since its somewhat new from Ruff Stuff.

SeniorXJ

Its impossible for the tie rod to be tapered that way. They are all made like the top tie rod that I took pics of.


Unfortunately after I was able to see the rear & saw the back of "what looks like" a tapered insert, then it's most likely exactly that, a backwards tapered insert.


OH NO, now that my memory has been jogged, this used to be an UTK setup & back when I couldn't do the work, I paid a shop to flip it to an OTK setup which means the tapered end now faces the wrong way. Those tie rods are 5 years old at best so there still in good shape.

chipmaker

If there is an insert in there the TRE had to be drilled out for it to go in, so the way the TRE was tapered originally is irrelevant.

SeniorXJ

Here Ya go, It's a Super 30 Build:

SeriousOffroad

Flip your drag link.

SeniorXJ

WoW! How did u come up with that? You'd first need that tie rod to come out, then U'd have to mount it on the inside where theres zero room...


Regardless, I got it out & u really don't wanna know how, lol! Only pics would explain it so ull have to wait till I'm done & can post pics up.