Recently I could afford to lift up my XJ 98 with the 4.5 from RoughCountry, new wheels and 16 inch rims I have been
riding around the city without issues till today when arriving home and doing the 90 degree turn to put it inside the garage the
tie rod bolt went out of its place (pitman arm) after some minor crack noise and the steering wheel wasn't steering anymore.
I was able to put it on its place after moving the steering back to a more straight direction and put my truck to the side of the street,
waranty from the garage guys that did the lift work is gonna be applied and repaired, but I don't know if they're doing a good work, this happens to me
on the highway or during off-roading and I'll be at risk, they basically used a bolt with a castle nut and a cotter pin (as in the pics for other parts of the vehicle)
for this area that receives a lot of movement and power steering, should I advise them to use any other safer, more durable part?. It is my first jeep and the first time I drive
a lifted vehicle, so any help is appreciated, I leave some pics that ilustrate the current problem.
castle nut and cotter pin left on the floor before put in them manually in place just to move the car and steering it out of the street how this bolt and castle nut and cotter pin are been using in other areas ( this corresponds to the trackbar)
You failed to mention that you have aftermarket steering also. I appreciate the pics, but to be totally accurate I think this is a situation where I need to see it in person. It almost sounds like you didn't get the tie rod end tightened down enough. It also looks like it iss at the limit of how much you can deflect the stud without damaging the the tie rod. That rubber boot looks like it has seen better days. I suggest taking that dust boot off and seeing what the metal looks like underneath
did you replace the pitman arm when the lift was installed? if not you will need to get the drop pitman arm so the tie rod will not be in a bind when running, If drop pitman was installed I agree with 4.3L XJ with it was not tightened down when installed
Sounds like a defective cotter pin, and the nut wasn't tighten down far enough. I'm running 5.25" of lift and pushed my front axle about two inches forward. I didn't use the drop steering arm that came in the lift kit and haven't had any issues and it feels as good as it could be. Its perfectly aligned with the track bar so I'm leaving it that way. lot of people try not to over-tighten the nut so it doesn't damage the boot and ad a cotter pin of poor quality this is the result. Glad it happened in the driveway and not on the highway
