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Xj to Zj Dana 30 swap, steering problems

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Old 01-18-2012, 12:20 PM
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Default Xj to Zj Dana 30 swap, steering problems

I switched my 1992 Xj dana 30 high pinion disconnect to a Zj low pinion non disconnect, the install went easily but now I'm having a problem with the steering

I left the whole front end assembly on the Zj to bolt onto my Xj including the steering drag links etc, I'm using the Xj pitman arm

I cannot get the splines to line up correctly on the steering box with the pitman arm, I have both the box and wheels turned full lock right and the alignment splines are probably 20 degrees off still. If I move the wheels to align it then I can turn the steering wheel full lock right but the steering box quits before I get full lock left.

Has anyone done this before? The drag links appear to be the same length, is it the drop pitman arm on the Zj making the difference? I don't see how it would?
Old 01-18-2012, 01:50 PM
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i dont know why you are having troubles. but besides that, why in the world did you swap in a low pinion axle? and dont say it was because it was non-disco...
Old 01-18-2012, 02:34 PM
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Pitman arm only goes on in one spot. You have to adjust the drag link to center everything.
Old 01-18-2012, 11:34 PM
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i'm pretty sure the only diff in the pitman arms are the height.... shorter/taller... wouldn't change your dillema but i would pull the pitman arm off that drag link... install it on the gear box.... make sure your steering wheel is at center. then adjust the drag link accordingly for propper alignment
Old 01-19-2012, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 89eliminator
i dont know why you are having troubles. but besides that, why in the world did you swap in a low pinion axle? and dont say it was because it was non-disco...
Wellll mainly because it is not destroyed, the old axle brackets on the passenger side were bent over causing the 215's to nearly touch the fender on the passenger side

I believe the jeep was jumped on the sand dunes and landed on the front passenger side


But anyways I have tried having the pitman arm on, pitman arm off, adjusting the drag link as far in as it can, as far out, and everywhere in between. Can somebody confirm that the Zj d30 is the same width (from the steering knuckles) as the Xj?

Does anybody know if the front Zj d-shaft is shorter than the Xj? Having problems with that too... Swapped the CV style yoke to the Xj ujoint and the Xj d-shaft is too long now even fully compressed.

Last edited by trebor46; 01-19-2012 at 04:35 PM.
Old 01-19-2012, 04:34 PM
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I held the cherokee steering drag links/adjuster up to it and it caused the toe to go wayy in so either the grand cherokee is wider (which I don't think it is) or my cherokee steering is bent like the old brackets were
Old 01-19-2012, 05:05 PM
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Axles are the same width so I'm guessing yours is bent. Drive shaft will depend on motor and year. My 93 grand had the same length front shaft as my XJ and it had a 4L and AW4 (only year the grand got that tranny).
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