It never ends..... small tuning changes are just a part of life w/ a Jeep so I will continue to update as I make changes.
The knuckles on my KJ are from a WJ which means they can be set up as high steer. The drag link location is naturally in a high position but the tie rod can go in the stock lower spot or be flipped on to the top of the knuckle to move it up away from the rocks. I had gotten conflicting info on this process and searched out the answer on the NAXJA forums where I knew several were familiar. (but I still got conflicting info...)
Here is what I came up with:
You get a few opinions that the JKS tie rod w/ WJ ends will work and then someone chimes in that you need a different TR on one end to make it work.
This is what I currently have:
So as far as the drag link and trac-bar being relocated are concerned, those are covered and heck for all I know I already have a RHD bent tie rod on one end. (bought the parts from someone that is now telling me that the knuckles are already tapered form the top side too. (I was working on the rear end when the front tie rod was assembled so never noticed)
Anyhow, hoping to finally lay this to rest so others looking for the info can find it easier than it has been for me so far.
Ok, Took the tie-rod off and the previous owner of the knuckles was right, They Were already reamed from the top side. I flipped it and bolted it back up and this is where she is at now.
Clearance looks fine except where it hits the trac bar mt. at full right:
(pic is just shy of full right turn)
Guessing that if that Right side TRE was curved the other way it would clear completely w/ no problems? If so, what part number TRE do I need to get the opposite curve so it clears?
Never did get an answer to that question so I just proceeded to work it. Here is where we ended up:
Update: Well, the reamed out knuckle was not reamed out enough And to do the job right I loctite-ed in some machined spacers to the bottom taper before re-reaming them again so the TRE would fit correctly. If I had not done that the holes would have eventually worn themselves out and ruined the hole in the knuckle. Steering feels great now and the TR is up out of the way so it will stay away from the rocks.
Here is a pic of the inserts.
Got them from a friend so not sure of the source but can get the info if anyone needs it. I could have gotten the full inserts mentioned in this thread and drilled the knuckles out and welded in the inserts but this was the solution we came up with instead. Hopefully it will last.
The Pass side still contacts the axle trac-bar mount on full turn but doesn't seem to be a problem so I will live w/ it for now.
Nice improvement. It would be real tough to hit the tie rod even if I tried real hard to do so. It is Way up out of the way and should it get hit it won't move far since the axle is right behind it. I suspect that this tie rod assy will have a long life.
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