ZJ Tie Rod Conversion
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
Good catch. I corrected the post so there are 2 TR Ends, 1 TR, 1 Drag Link, and 1 adjuster sleeve.
Thanks! My bad!
I hear you, but I legit do not have a driveway or a garage access wise - I live in a condo complex and have a carport but its with a line of other cars and about 1 foot on each side (my carport neighbors never move their cars). But, with regards to my other question those are the parts needed right?
Yes, the R stands for “right,” so its position is on the end of the tie rod on the right side (passenger). The L stands for “left,” so its position is on the left side of the drag link (driver side) where it connects to the Pitman Arm. If you’re not doing the drag link you don’t need 3096L unless you want to replace just the tie rod end there, which is advisable. The tie rod only has a threaded tie rod end on the right (passenger) side since the left (driver) side end is built into the tie rod.
Do it in the AutoZone parking lot. They want to charge you $1,200 in labor to spend an hour or two installing $200 in parts.
Fair point. I do find the cost a bit insulting. I wondered if it was because they see a small woman but I hate jumping to conclusions. I've heavily considered asking a guy that I almost bought a jeep from (I had a family emergency and he was looking to sell fast so I missed out, but we had a good report) if I could just use his place (he actually has a lift) and throw him some cash. Is that an odd thing? Guess I'll have to hit my storage unit and pull my tools. I have been properly chastised by forum.
If I didn't live in a complex that has an insane HOA I'd probably violate the rules...but then my wife would also kill me...
Fair point. I do find the cost a bit insulting. I wondered if it was because they see a small woman but I hate jumping to conclusions. I've heavily considered asking a guy that I almost bought a jeep from (I had a family emergency and he was looking to sell fast so I missed out, but we had a good report) if I could just use his place (he actually has a lift) and throw him some cash. Is that an odd thing? Guess I'll have to hit my storage unit and pull my tools. I have been properly chastised by forum.
If I didn't live in a complex that has an insane HOA I'd probably violate the rules...but then my wife would also kill me...
This project 100% doesn’t need a lift.
You leave the jeep on level ground, any level ground, take out the old, lay out the new and bolt it up.
The only issue is setting the toe in, again level ground sitting flat, but you would need to look it up.
This takes normal wrenches, and a BFH.
Take out the pins on the castle nuts, Loosen the Tie Rod ends castle nuts but leave them on a few threads. Unbolt the stabilizer I believe.
Then hit each TRE so they fall out of the knuckle but the castle nut keeps from falling all the way out.
Then take it out, and replace. Just look up the home alignment toe in, but they should be close if you adjust the new to fit. Do it either way, takes a wrench and a few tape measures.
Do a dry steering test(Google it) and determine if you will even see any benefit from replacing the tie rods. "Loose" steering can come from a few things. Steering box,steering shaft and support bearing, possibly wheel bearings,ball joints,suspension bushings or alignment out of spec.
The zj drag link is for lifted jeeps with big tires that bend the stock parts offroad.
My outer tie rod boots are actually torn. I did have it looked at and the others are all fine... apparently.
While I have zero plans to do any rock crawling or trails I will be taking it out on the farm so you never know what you might run over in that case and maybe its the Iowan in me but I want to be prepared, whether its a random large rock out in pasture or the apocalypse.
If the tie rods are tight it could be years before they wear out with torn boots.
Like I said,do a dry steering test and start diagnosing the loose steering since that was your complaint.
Like I said,do a dry steering test and start diagnosing the loose steering since that was your complaint.
I know it doesn't need a lift but when you're 15 hip surgeries in with golfers elbow my desire to get on the ground like I did when I was in my early 20's (ahh youth) replacing axles has long left me... i'm also rusty since I haven't really worked on cars for about 15 years ... spent to much time in NYC.
Thanks for the help and suggestions. Food for thought. Timing wise how long do you think it would take to accomplish this? I've watched the YouTube videos and I'm thinking 2 hours at best and 6 hours at worst for me being slow. I'll have to avoid the old ladies from HOA
I don’t know. I can’t go look either, since I no longer have this steering system on my rig. Sorry.
CreepinDeth
TJ Addict
Dude I lived in and ran an HOAIf I didn't live in a complex that has an insane HOA I'd probably violate the rules...but then my wife would also kill me...
I was violating the HOA rules constantly doing my own PMs long before they put me in as president.
I rewired a car in my driveway, I swapped a rear end out of my 1970 442, and yanked the motor in my driveway.
The key is to make it look normal by the end of the day
Nut up and do it
The 3096L goes at the Pittman arm stock, Chris's post says you also need it for the passenger side of tie rod in the ZJ tie rod conversion, and the 3095R is the stock tie rod end so is too small for the ZJ tie rod. That must mean to do the whole thing one needs two ES3096L tie rod ends and no 3095R.
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Daveandthe6
New Member
Looks like this will be my next project as the my tie rods are all pancaked and cracking. Looking at the service records from the previous owner, the steering stabilizer was replaced about a year ago. I believe I read somewhere that the tapered bolt was a one time use. If this is correct does anyone know where I can order just the hardware for the steering stabilizer?
Im looking forward to not having to death grip my steering wheel when hit potholes around town.
Edit: Just put all the parts in my cart to replace the drag bar and tie rod with all Moog parts for only $171 shipped from Rockauto, this seems like a steal.
Im looking forward to not having to death grip my steering wheel when hit potholes around town.
Edit: Just put all the parts in my cart to replace the drag bar and tie rod with all Moog parts for only $171 shipped from Rockauto, this seems like a steal.
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