Jeff 98XJ WI
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Butternut, WI
I know I posted this same inf. in the So Cal forum in response to someone going on about how great their new HD tie rod ends were, but I figured the rest of you might find it interesting too. I have a Dana 44 front end that I built a few years ago in the front of my XJ and when I built the steering, I used a TJ pitman arm reamed to fit the Chevy tie rod end stud. The drag link passes straight to the top of a high steer arm on the passengers side utilizing the other Chevy tie rod end. Recently while driving down a gravel road after a bit of wheeling, I lost all steering! Turns out the body of the tie rod at the pitman arm separated from the stud. This joint did not appear overly worn during recent greasing, so I think it simply broke. Anyway, here are the pics: http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeEN2jZq0btnQA
I don't have a definative reason why it broke other than running at a bit of an angle for the past few years. In the past year or so I did lift the Jeep a bit further and added 35's and longer bump stops, so I am planning to go back to an XJ pitman arm reamed for the heavier tie rod end. This will drop the pitman arm end an inch and a half or so from the TJ arm. Just thought I would share and let you all know that shit happens...even to HD bullet proof parts. I'm just glad it didn't happen on the highway!!!!!!! Jeff
I don't have a definative reason why it broke other than running at a bit of an angle for the past few years. In the past year or so I did lift the Jeep a bit further and added 35's and longer bump stops, so I am planning to go back to an XJ pitman arm reamed for the heavier tie rod end. This will drop the pitman arm end an inch and a half or so from the TJ arm. Just thought I would share and let you all know that shit happens...even to HD bullet proof parts. I'm just glad it didn't happen on the highway!!!!!!! Jeff