Greetings All JK's with steering issues.... here is an update with my steering issues and small tires.... Here is what I have come up with to fix my steering issues, 47k to date and 285/70R17's

I read an article once and the writer mentioned that "chasing the JK steering issues is like a Dog Chasing their tail" you fix one issue then that leads to failuer in another and so forth....

Well, I have replaced my steerign box twice... Jeep will no longer replace the box under warranty - this was at 35k - "Jeep - you have oversized tires, that is the reason for the box wear" the tires are 285/70R17's yes they are larger, but only a very small percent larger.

I have been chasing the fix as quoted above, yes I am getting dizzy... woof this is what I have done to date and have had great success getting to the tail....

- Replaced all bolts with 9/16 fine thread grade 8's and locking nuts - also replaced lower contol arm bolts with the same....
- Added a Heavy Duty track bar bracket with drag link flip kit - AEV, bracket is heavy duty and adds tremendous stability to axle bracket.
- Added JKS adjustable track bar - nice and heavy with rubber bushings.
- Added upper and lower Dynatrac HD ball joints.
*** I did replace my D30 with a Dynatrac Prorock 44 unlimited with 10 degrees of seperation... but not necesary if you want to keep your jeep D30/44

All of the above components are exactly what you will need to "help" protect a gear box with moderate size or factory tires, the flip kit will require some sort of 3" lift

I just saw that JKS has produced an upgrade on track bar bracket.... it has addressed the Steering Box issues in its designs very similar to the Red Neck Steering box brace, but it is really slick! Go to JKS web site and take a look... I will actually be upgrading to that style of bracket/brace once I decide to replace the steering gear box. I dont see any reason to replace box until I have caught my tail and ensure no future go-a-rounds

I will say this, I have earned a masters degree in steering engineering with all the research and practical experiece that i have had with the JK steering components... lets just hope it has been a valuable expereice - wife thinks I'm crazy

 

Greeetings again.... the upper track bar mount will also need to be addressed... JKS offers a bracket with additional goodies...

 

Do you have any Pics of the track bar bracket? Also, did it bolt right to the dynatrac without modification. Does it relocate the tie rod as well?

 

Link to a jks


http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/me...bar_Components

Full Traction has one.

http://www.full-traction.com/detail....TID=506&NOTES=


I have the Teraflex...

http://www.teraflex.biz/jk-wrangler-...-flip-kit.html

 

No pics at this time.... Had to modifiy the AEV trackback axle bracket to fit the dynatrac bracket, simple drill here, bend there & weld... for the most part Dynatrac's bracket is rock solid - good platform to build of from, but since the AEV kit flips the drag link I needed the 3" track bar reloaction bracket installed to maintain steering geometry. The track bar and drag link are almost parallel with the the axle tubes maintainign NO bump steer at all... one thing I learned from my YJ days is that the two must be parallel and the closer to parallel you can get them to the axle tubes the better. IMO... FYI, running 2.5 lift with .5 spacers in the front to level, this equals the 3" track bar relocate spacing in the AEV kit.

 

I wish someone made these steering box braces for stock JKs. They all require a lift.

 

Sucks how they did not replace the box under warranty even though the tires are just a little bit larger. This shit is ridiculous - They void the warranty even fucking chance they get.

 

http://www.offroadevolution.com/stor...?prod=EVO-1015

EVO has one.

 

It looks as if you can use any of the JKS, EVO type steering box brace and upper track bar bracket reinforcement kits with a stock suspensioon. It is when you start raising the axle bracket you will need a lift - but I am sure they make standard location track bar axle location brackets - maybe someone may have links to bolt-on versions. IMO you can make your stock steering rock solid with addition of these aftermarket parts, just do your research. You will need to address 5-critical areas of steering on the stock set-up.

1. Replace track bar bolts with 9/16's they are slightly larger than the 14mm hense reducing potential play.
2. Brace Both frame side and axle side trackbar brackets with HEAVY duty bolt on brackets - if you can weld, go for it... those brackets are cheaper.
3. The stock trackbar I think is fine as long as you have stock suspension and plan to keep it that way as well as your bushing are solid - as well as - not ovaled in thier mounts.
4. If you have had any issues at all with steering - 10 to 1 your factory Ball Joints are bad - you may get away with the factory new ones for longer life once you have addresses the 3-other areas above.
5. Steering Gear will be effected by the above 4-areas, this will need to be addressed with a new box and the immediate addition of a JKS or EVO type brace - by the looks of them, the will not go bad again with it be supported at the very end of the slector shaft - very good insurance IMO with a new box.

I believe once you have addessed all of these areas at once - your steering system will be rock solid for many miles. Of course if you are wheeling hard with larger tires the added stress may require a ram set-up, but again 10 to 1 if you have not addressed these other issues and you add a ram, you will be chasing the same issue in time.... just remeber, dog chasing their tale story.... if any of you know the writer of that article please chime in.... I cant seem to find it....

good luck... if any one else has other areas of weekness please let me know... I have heard that that uni-bearings go bad as well, I just think it is the results of these other issues....

 

I have done most of this. Here is what I have done so far..

Replaced balljoints with Dynatrac

Replaced steering with Currie tie rod and drag link

Installed Bilstein steering stabilizer

Welded grade 8 washers to both trackbar brackets holes and replaced bolts with 9/16 grade 8 shouldered bolts

Replaced trackbar with Currie

Still I am going through boxes.. I'm on my fourth in 39k miles with no abuse.

Not sure what else to do. When you say I can run the brace stock what brave do you mean? All the sector shaft braces say they require a lift...

The brace that goes over the frame end trackbar mount wouldn't do me much good as I have welded washers there and don't have ovaled holes. Doesn't seem like that brace would help the box...