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Drag Link Loose?

IronScott

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Just finished installing a new lift over the weekend and noticed my drag link and tie rod ends make the exact same noise as the OP’s video shows. I’m tempted to go to my dealer’s lot and see if any new ones do the same thing. I have a dead spot in the steering wheel, though it is better after the V41 fix and (more likely because of) new RK track bar.

I’m tempted to go ahead and get aftermarket drag link, tie rod and a bracket to move the stabilizer up. Crazy the need to do all this crap.
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Ok so my passenger side connection of the drag link does the same thing. I took it to my dealer last, reporting a clunk (pop?) noise when travelling over uneven terrain, especially while turning and sometimes under acceleration from stop. They checked it out, did nothing and sent me home. So I guess it is normal.
 

jhernandez

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Ok so my passenger side connection of the drag link does the same thing. I took it to my dealer last, reporting a clunk (pop?) noise when travelling over uneven terrain, especially while turning and sometimes under acceleration from stop. They checked it out, did nothing and sent me home. So I guess it is normal.
Did you fix this problem, i have same problem please help thanks.
 

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Did you fix this problem, i have same problem please help thanks.
Yeah I solved it by torquing down all suspension to the chart that came with the lift kit. I can‘t say what the specific culprit was. What I found that after several wheeling adventures things need to be tightened up.

There is still some play in the drag link so that must be normal.
 

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jhernandez

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Yeah I solved it by torquing down all suspension to the chart that came with the lift kit. I can‘t say what the specific culprit was. What I found that after several wheeling adventures things need to be tightened up.

There is still some play in the drag link so that must be normal.
My drag link and tire rod is stock and I will torque specs. Do you know the stock torque specs for drag link and tire rod?
 

jhernandez

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Just finished installing a new lift over the weekend and noticed my drag link and tie rod ends make the exact same noise as the OP’s video shows. I’m tempted to go to my dealer’s lot and see if any new ones do the same thing. I have a dead spot in the steering wheel, though it is better after the V41 fix and (more likely because of) new RK track bar.

I’m tempted to go ahead and get aftermarket drag link, tie rod and a bracket to move the stabilizer up. Crazy the need to do all this crap.
Did you change drag link and tire rod, if you did no more loose problem right?
 

limeade

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My drag link and tire rod is stock and I will torque specs. Do you know the stock torque specs for drag link and tire rod?
Part |Nm |ft. lbs. | in. lbs. | Comments
Drag link inner nut (at pitman arm) | 105 | 77 | - |
Drag link outer nut (at steering knuckle) | 64 | 47 | - |
Drag link adjuster clamp | 46 | 34 | - |
Tie rod end nut (at steering knuckle) | 64 | 47 | - |
Tie rod end adjuster clamp | 46 | 34 | - |
Steering damper bolt (at axle) | 80 | 59 | - |
Steering damper nut (at tie rod) | 80 | 59 | - |
Steering damper bracket nut | 75 | 55 | - |

Here is the thread which has all of the torque specs:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/torque-values-for-jeep-jl-wrangler.17791/
 

IronScott

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Did you change drag link and tire rod, if you did no more loose problem right?
Just recently changed tie rod to a Yeti. I still have a slight bit of play but it's almost all gone. Will probably change the drag link at some point. Haven't adjusted the steering box but am considering a slight adjustment as well. I'd love to get the steering to what I would consider normal for a vehicle but at least now it's the best it has been for me.
 

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Add me to this list. I have the same issue, and it knocks on hard take off from stop. I am gonna make sure alignment is right and then take it to a dealer.....

I don't have loose steering or wondering or any of that though.
 
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jasmeetbabra

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Hi
I noticed the same after experiencing my JL pulling to the right when driving above 40mph.

While my drag link and tie rods aren't as loose as in the @nh4x4jeep 's video, but they do have some play.

Here's a clip. You can see I have to put in a bit of effort here.. What would be the solutions here?

Thanks!



 

limeade

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Hi
I noticed the same after experiencing my JL pulling to the right when driving above 40mph.

While my drag link and tie rods aren't as loose as in the @nh4x4jeep 's video, but they do have some play.

Here's a clip. You can see I have to put in a bit of effort here.. What would be the solutions here?

Thanks!



It's difficult to tell if you have bad TRE's when you manipulate the bar by hand and in a direction (rotational) they aren't normally traveling. Instead, from the same vantage point as in your video, have someone move the steering wheel slightly left to right continuously (without actually making the wheels turn). This will put the correct amount and direction of force into the TRE's. You should be able to see any unnatural movement in the TRE's. You can also use this to check out you track bar bushings/joints to see if there's any movement, which there shouldn't be.
 

jasmeetbabra

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It's difficult to tell if you have bad TRE's when you manipulate the bar by hand and in a direction (rotational) they aren't normally traveling. Instead, from the same vantage point as in your video, have someone move the steering wheel slightly left to right continuously (without actually making the wheels turn). This will put the correct amount and direction of force into the TRE's. You should be able to see any unnatural movement in the TRE's. You can also use this to check out you track bar bushings/joints to see if there's any movement, which there shouldn't be.
Thanks! thats a good idea. I'll check it that way. BTW what do you mean by TRE?
 

limeade

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Thanks! thats a good idea. I'll check it that way. BTW what do you mean by TRE?
The tie rod ends. These are the joints for the tie rod and drag link.
 

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Does this look right?
Is this normal for a 2018 stock JL?
Our 2018 JLU Sport S does that, at 22.5 Kmiles, but only the drag link, and not quite as pronounced. All the nuts are torqued to spec. Steering is excellent, rocky steady and as true as a Cupid's arrow through the heart. I'm thinking this is 'normal,' though as Charles Manson famously remarked, "Who really knows what's normal?".

Here is a good video from [Banned Site] that may be helpful in evaluating some of these suspension components:

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