Steering knuckle options

[MortimerSTS9]

I am considering my options as far as steering knuckles. They are stock with a OTT bolt on kit from Rocky Road outfitters and I hate this setup. I have been looking at different ones and am wondering what the pros cons are for high steer knuckles vs stock style.

 

[jjvw]

Does your existing steering have bump steer? If so, a good place to start is to understand the relationship between the track bar and the drag link. The discussions surrounding dropped pitman arms will get you thinking in the right direction.

 

[MortimerSTS9]

So the current steering knuckles have been modified and I just ordered Currie currectlynk as I am going down from the current awful setup from rocky road that was on the Jeep when I bought it. Will high steer knuckles work with this? Or am I better off with getting some that are stock replacements or style. I’ve also heard that you are possibly losing up travel with a high steer kit. Any input will be helpful.

 

[Apparition]

So the current steering knuckles have been modified and I just ordered Currie currectlynk as I am going down from the current awful setup from rocky road that was on the Jeep when I bought it. Will high steer knuckles work with this? Or am I better off with getting some that are stock replacements or style. I’ve also heard that you are possibly losing up travel with a high steer kit. Any input will be helpful.

You could get a black magic brake kit with new knuckles, if you want to spend some money.

 

[Chris]

You could get a black magic brake kit with new knuckles, if you want to spend some money.

This is what I would do.

I’m also known to frivolously spend money

 

[MortimerSTS9]

No I’m already spending enough money getting this thing back to reliable and responsive. Just wondering if anyone has done high steer knuckles with the currectlynk from Currie or if there are any benefits to this over stock knuckles.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Avoid high steer which creates steering geometry issues on TJs.

 

[MortimerSTS9]

That’s what I needed to know. Now since I need to replace the modified knuckles am I better of finding some from a junkyard or are there any new manufacturers recommendations?

 

[jjvw]

The stock, ZJ and Currie driver's side tie rod end can be flipped. That is mostly a high steer setup. But the axle side sway bar mounts need to be raised, the wheels need to be about 3.75" BS and you need to find a tapered insert for the drilled knuckle.

 

[astjp2]

89 xj caliper, Durango calipers and Explorer rotors, poor mans bbk

 

[06TJ35's]

You could get a black magic brake kit with new knuckles, if you want to spend some money.

which knuckles would you need with bmb kit?

 

[sourbluff]

TJ, XJ and ZJ knuckles are all the same part numbers: passenger Crown 52067576; driver Crown 52067577 (taken from quadratec). Everyone says Correctlync is best steering and I’m pretty sure it is designed for stock knuckles. At least locally ZJ part outs are common and cheap on FB. I would get set stock knuckles, sell that fancy OTT kit and be done with it.

 

[jjvw]

which knuckles would you need with bmb kit?

The Vanco big brake kit from BMB comes with new knuckles

 

[astjp2]

TJ, XJ and ZJ knuckles are all the same part numbers: passenger Crown 52067576; driver Crown 52067577 (taken from quadratec). Everyone says Correctlync is best steering and I’m pretty sure it is designed for stock knuckles. At least locally ZJ part outs are common and cheap on FB. I would get set stock knuckles, sell that fancy OTT kit and be done with it.

Except for the early first gen XJ, they had a bolt on caliper mount...
https://www.rme4x4.com/threads/better-brakes-for-the-lj.116389/
Blaine's kit is top notch and does not require any fiddling to get to work...

 

[Kyle]

Has anyone used wj steering knuckle's for bigger breaks? If so did you like them? Or anyone have any info on this?

 

[astjp2]

That was the primary reason.
@mrblaine could probably give you a better option. Tim

 

[pcoplin]

Has anyone used wj steering knuckle's for bigger breaks? If so did you like them? Or anyone have any info on this?

I have done the WJ knuckles on several Jeeps. They are excellent brakes compared to stock. But fabbing is needed (welding on a 1/4 inch knuckle spacer) and reworking the trackbar (can shorten and raise, or a whole lot of fab moving coil buckets and running across to keep proper length. Along with custom steering to keep the crossover style steering.

There is one other option that I did on my wife's DD XJ. Stock steering in the lower hole (it's 3/4 of an inch lower than the TJ) and using a pitman arm with a 1 inch drop. I forget which, ZJ or XJ. One is 1 inch drop, and one is 2 inch drop compared to the TJ pitman arm.

 

[Brianj5600]

Is there a combination of WJ spindle, over the lower steering arm and non TJ pitman that works with stock track bar?

 

[mrblaine]

Has anyone used wj steering knuckle's for bigger breaks? If so did you like them? Or anyone have any info on this?

We had almost no breaks when we did them for the bigger brakes since they are a pretty stout knuckle. But yes, I've done many conversions using the WJ stuff, what do you want to know?

 

[Brianj5600]

We had almost no breaks when we did them for the bigger brakes since they are a pretty stout knuckle. But yes, I've done many conversions using the WJ stuff, what do you want to know?

One of my concerns is lowering the tie rod due to the lower steering arm vs the TJ. I am beating up the tie rod as it is. Did you move the tie rod on top of the steering arms?