SS bolt rubbing on diff cover, solution?

[Teo]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah was about to say the tie rod itself doesn't seem bent, but ss bracket itself makes sense. Was even considering machining the bolt down as a temporary measure but I think I'll go with what you said seacomms haha, and yeah definitely look into relocation soon.

Off topic to the ss, does the drag link/tie rod close proximity or the end of the drag link concern you guys at all? The ends of the drag link look like they're about to pop off!

Sent from my HTC One XL using Aussie Jeep Offroad mobile app

[Wazza D]

Originally Posted by Teo

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah was about to say the tie rod itself doesn't seem bent, but ss bracket itself makes sense. Was even considering machining the bolt down as a temporary measure but I think I'll go with what you said seacomms haha, and yeah definitely look into relocation soon.

Off topic to the ss, does the drag link/tie rod close proximity or the end of the drag link concern you guys at all? The ends of the drag link look like they're about to pop off!

Sent from my HTC One XL using Aussie Jeep Offroad mobile app

Yes, good advise from SeaComms and Banshee. You meed to sort that.
I would check that you haven't bent something though. You won't notice anything with the naked eye apart from what you have already observed.
Your observation with the proximity of the drag link still indicates a bent tie rod.
I have had to straighten mine twice in the bush using a winch extension and a tree then reverse up carefully.
Sounds awful aye? But what do you do in the bush?
Note that the only reason I didn't have the bolt rubbing problem was because my steering damper has been relocated.
Compare your clearances with a new one if you have to.
If it is bent, you will note tyre scrubbing after some time and oversteer on sharp turns.
lets hope it's all good though.

[Fruju]

Rotate the SS bracket slightly as others have suggested.

Why do you have an adjustable drag link when other steering components, apart from ball joints are stock? Is your diff centred?

Tie rod and drag link can get closer together with diff rotation. To separate you will need to lift your vehicle more

Also your end links look too short.

[MDK]

Mine rubs slightly as well. Only had it 2 months and lifted it the week I got it. Lucky you posted this or I wouldn't of looked. Might just get the grinder to the bolt.

[Banshee]

Do you mean aftermarket drag link? As even the OEMs are adjustable for steering wheel centering.

This is what mine looks like with the relocation bolt:

[SeaComms]

Originally Posted by Teo

...Off topic to the ss, does the drag link/tie rod close proximity or the end of the drag link concern you guys at all? The ends of the drag link look like they're about to pop off!

Yours sits closer than most, but yours is not the stock drag link and is sitting on an angle making it closer to the tie rod (looks like a Synergy/Poly Performance?). If its not hitting then I wouldn't worry about it. You would be recommended though to flex it up and check clearance both ways (as in left wheel up then right wheel up) and with the steering turned in both directions. Bit hard to see in the angle of the pic but my only concern would be the locking bolt on the drag link getting caught under the tie rod under certain steering/flex combinations.

[Fruju]

Yes I know that, but what I was getting at is, the draglink can be adjusted to separate it further from the tie rod by having the ball joints at the pitman end and knuckle end not parallel (ie drag link appears twisted). Adjusting puts steering out.

Lifting offsets the diff. Steering is off. Adjustable trackbar used to recentre then fine tune with drag link.

Too slow to post, was in response to Banshee.