Well Fellow Jk'ers, I have discovered and resolved the issue I have had with my steering knock. I have had this issue the entire time I have had the Jeep. I have read alot of threads on here none of which really looked like my issue, so I have been looking into all the nooks and crannies trying to discover an absolute resolve. I know I am not the first person to wonder about the floppy tie rod on the JK, as a matter of fact I was just reading on this very forum last week that "it is normal" and "designed that way". Well friends it may be designed that way but there is something you can do to get rid of that and make your JK feel alot more connacted and kill the steering knock (at least in my case it did) Its free, all you need is tools and maybe a buddy to help hold while you tighten. I was over with a good friend and shop owner this past weekend and we were looking at the tie rod wondering why they would have left so much slack on the tie rod. And what we decided to do was loosen the bolt that you use to adjust the toe in/out and you will notice the tie rod ends are curved a bit, you will take the drivers side and angle it down and the rest of the tie rod (which includes the other end as we did not loosen it) once you turn one up and one down you will notice that slack in the tie rod goes away without putting anything into a bind. I will try to get pics together if anyone needs them and maybe a video that will explain in detail. So has anyone tried this? Is this written well enough to get people to understand what to do? Let me know what you all think and I will try my best to help anyone along with this. JOE>

 

I would agree your technique will remove the play in the rod.

However, that's not the proper way to set up this type of joint, as it will not be able to flex without binding at the joints internally.

I also agree the rods will make noise when they are free to move, and that new ones will not do this.
But, as long as the joint itself has no vertical play, the ability to twist the joint is not reason to replace.

 

As soon as upgraded my tie rod/drag link with beefier aftermarket ones the knocking went away. The aftermarket ones do not flop around like the stock ones did.

 

I am not sure what you mean by binding? The tie rod is solid from on knuckle to the other, no flexing occurs, just side to side force. I think the only reason the knock is there is b/c the rod has somewhere to go other than side to side so it tries to go up or down only to find out it is limited, in which case it goes back to its original job and moves side to side as directed by the steering. I have not had any drawbacks to it yet andhave driven a few hundred miles this weekend, after fixing it this way.

I have not looked into the after market ones yet, as I try not to replace things unless needed. I will go with the heavier offroad built unit when I need it though. JOE>

 

Can you post a pic of what you did to pin the stock one?

 

The rod ends have to be free to move in any direction as the knuckles turn, and as the axle travels up and down.

When you turn one tie rod end one way, and the other end the other way, you are limiting the travel of the ball in the socket. It will eventually cause wear between the ball and socket lining.
You will find the tie rod ends need replacement sooner than if you had not set them up that way.

This is something you will see as not destructive when the vehicle is sitting still.

 

What about tie rod ends the had rubber pucks as dust boots. They do not allow the tie rod to pivot at all by hand but several aftermaket companies ship them this way. Are those doing damage?

 

If they are designed to have the rubber pucks, and still pivot in any direction, I would say no damage.

If you can picture it, with the rubber pucks, on a joint like the tie rod and drag link ends, every time the axle moves up and down, it would try to pry the ball out of the socket. If the joint is designed to take such a load, all would be well.
I guess the tie rod on the JK doesn't see much flexing on the rod ends, but there is some. And every time the wheels are turned left and right, the rod end sees some flexing.

Having the stock rod ends bottomed out in opposite directions will cause premature wear.

 

is this something that is normal on all wrangler jk's, the metal on metal knock or rattle from the tie rod and drag link ends? My 08 has been doing it for some time now and its really starting to get to me I love my dealerships solution for this," drive slow over bumps", yeah not an easy thing to do living in NY. Cant wait to get the currie tie rod and drag link.

 

My knock is actually coming from my drag link.. my currectlyc tie rod is super stout and when I get more $$ ill be getting the drag link also... check ur drag links...

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