Drag Link Question

[NCBound]

Let me start by saying this past weekend I threw a set of Rubicon take-off shocks and springs on my JLUS. I also took that opportunity to install the Mopar extended LCA's. Steering wheel was off to the left slightly, so last night I started to adjust the drag link, and noticed that the entire drag link shifts side to side 2-3 inches. I will try to take a video later this afternoon, I just wanted to ask how much play is too much play? I thought it was supposed to be somewhat stationary?

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[rustyshakelford]

Let me start by saying this past weekend I threw a set of Rubicon take-off shocks and springs on my JLUS. I also took that opportunity to install the Mopar extended LCA's. Steering wheel was off to the left slightly, so last night I started to adjust the drag link, and noticed that the entire drag link shifts side to side 2-3 inches. I will try to take a video later this afternoon, I just wanted to ask how much play is too much play? I thought it was supposed to be somewhat stationary?

There some rotational slop but shouldn’t be any up and down on the pitman arm or knuckle

Brett

 

[jlewissystem]

Where is the play? Someone cited that FCA advised that 1-2" of lateral play is acceptable, but many on here dispute that, including me. There is possibly a steering box fix for that, but would like to know more about the "play".

 

[NCBound]

I adjusted past center last night. Went home over lunch and adjusted back to center, tried to recreate the play but was unable. Think the Jeep saw my phone go into video mode and straightened up.

Where is the play? Someone cited that FCA advised that 1-2" of lateral play is acceptable, but many on here dispute that, including me. There is possibly a steering box fix for that, but would like to know more about the "play".

Basically, when I had the sleeve bolt loosened yesterday, there was some tension from dust and debris that made the sleeve difficult to turn. Threw on some gloves and when I adjusted with better grip and more pressure the drag link would shift towards the front of the jeep and back about 2" or so at the bushing on the pitman end.

If this is normal, I wont argue, I'm still very new to jeeps and havent done a ton of wrenching, just wasnt sure if that was normal or not.

 

[jlewissystem]

If i'm hearing that right, it sounds like your steering box has the play...? I havent had this specific issue, so someone else that has run into this might comment. @rustyshakelford - have you run into this at all? If it's what i'm thinking, the PCM needs a flash to address, but i might be wrong.

Here are a few things of found, that you might want to read, to see if it's similar:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/how-to-tighten-steering.9041/page-6#post-219185
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/steering-recall-06-01-18.9747/
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/my-steering-issues-have-been-fixed.12843/page-14 (There's a TSB reference in this one)
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...r-jl-wrangler-check-your-jl-for-recalls.9784/

 

[rustyshakelford]

If i'm hearing that right, it sounds like your steering box has the play...? I havent had this specific issue, so someone else that has run into this might comment. @rustyshakelford - have you run into this at all? If it's what i'm thinking, the PCM needs a flash to address, but i might be wrong.

Here are a few things of found, that you might want to read, to see if it's similar:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/how-to-tighten-steering.9041/page-6#post-219185
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/steering-recall-06-01-18.9747/
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/my-steering-issues-have-been-fixed.12843/page-14 (There's a TSB reference in this one)
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...r-jl-wrangler-check-your-jl-for-recalls.9784/

To me it sounds like the normal movement of the draglink and the op issue might be just the normal play. I know it can be alarming at first if you haven’t messed with them before and feel the movement!

We’ve been fortunate and haven’t had any jeeps come thru with death wobble (besides my personal on) or the excessive play. Did one two weeks ago that the customer complained of high speed death wobble and wanted full steer smart stuff. I ordered it from their request. When it came I did a test drive, pulled about 10 psi out and replaced the steering stabilizer after checking torque on everything and it was fixed. Saved them a bunch of money they didn’t have to spend. That said, now I have extra stock of steer smart parts on the shelf

Brett

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