Front End / Steering Parts Replacement Advice

[sanchez]

11/97 Sport 300k kms - I'm about to start replacing parts in the front end / steering & need some advice on what to do first or in what order. I'm planning on replacing; bushes, ball joints, tie rods, draglink, wheel bearing hubs. Are there any other parts you would suggest I also replace? Thanks in advance for your advice Jeepsters.

[rustynuts]

Best place to buy parts is "rock auto". The whole RHD steering setup can be bought at a reasonable price in Aus.
It looks like you are on the right track.

XJ Freaks on F.

[layback40]

Advice ~ Dont replace things that are not worn out.
Many replace hubs, ball joints etc with cheap (Chinese) parts only to find them self putting the originals back in 20,000km later.
If wheel bearings have play then replace hubs. If ball joints are loose then replace. If rubber bushes are damaged replace.
For too long the dealers have been just replacing everything. That way they fix a problem. No come back. Probably only needed one thing replacing but did the lot.
Why do you feel the need to replace everything in the front end? Has it had a recent wheel alignment? Has the steering box been adjusted? Have the mounting bolts on the steering box been replaced?
One of my XJ's has done 70.000km more than yours & is all original in the steering/front suspension. Has had Ujoints replaced.

[awg]

imo, the trackbar is worth replacing if any sign at all of slackness

swaybar bushes, and 2 x new links are only $40

I would not replace ball joints unless they are shown to be bad,
needs a special tool.

question for others?

how "tight' should the tie rod ends be (including Pitman arm tre)?

mine can easily be moved by hand, in situ, or once removed.
They are not all floppy, and there is no freeplay, but they are not "stiff"..ie I can move the taper part easily with fingers

I swapped the steering parts across from one truck the other, as I suspected the Pitman arm TRE, but they seem to be about the same.

My truck has no vibration at any speed (now)

I would also NOT swap out hub/bearing or u-joint...these parts will usually begin to protest audibly before failing.

I agree with layback, dont replace OEM parts, with a piece of Chinese junk, unless you have to

[sanchez]

Thanks very much for your kind and helpful advice.

[sanchez]

Thanks very much for your reply layback.
Front end feels very sloppy & makes clunking noises when on full-lock I am about to change the tyres so will have a wheel alignment then. I havent had the steering box adjusted or replaced the mounting bolts. Would you recommend I do both of these things?

[sanchez]

Thanks rusty