Front end component differences

[terrawombat]

I was looking at replacing just about every component on the front end of my '88MJ Pioneer and my searches for parts have shown me that there are slight differences in a few components between the '86-'90 and '91-'92 years. I was hoping someone else could shed some light on the subject and confirm or deny the following statements:

 

The upper ball joints appear to be interchangeable throughout all of the years.

 

The lower ball joints have two different types - one for the '86-'90 model years and another for the '91-'92 model years. However, there are certain brands names that offer a lower ball joint that is compatible with ALL years, like AC Delco part #45D2117. I'm not quite sure how they're able to do this while other manufacturers are not. I've also seen that any adjustable lower ball joint seems to be compatible with all years.

 

The tierod that goes from the pitman arm to the right front knuckle has two different designs. One for '86-90 and another for '91-'92. What's the difference? I can't tell from the pictures. Is it the size of the ball joint on that arm that makes it incompatible across all years?

 

The tierod ends are also year specific. What's the difference between years?

 

I ask these questions because I'd like to just buy a kit I found on CL that has every front end component I would need to replace a majority of front end components. The price is right, but it's for a Cherokee from the years of '91 to '01. Would one of these kits fit on my '88MJ and if not, what's holding me back? I'm guessing it's the diameter of all the ball joint and tie rod ends?

[terrawombat]

Anyone have any ideas at all? I suppose I could compare the front ends on my '98 and '01XJ's, but I'd rather not touch those if I can avoid. Visually they look the same...

[Geonovast]

The older 84-90 lower ball joints have a collar that threads into the lower part of the knuckle, that you have to set the height on. In 91 they were able to eliminate that.

 

There are a ton of brake generational differences, but as long as you stay in the same year, you'll be fine.

 

The difference I've seen in the draglink is the size of the threads for the TRE. I put an 88ish D30 on one of my 91s, and since I hate dealing with balljoints, I thought I'd just undo the collar, and switch it over that way. Nope. Different sizes, so I had to switch the TRE anyway.

 

What all comes in the kit? What all do you need to replace? RockAuto has fairly cheap balljoints.

[terrawombat]

What all comes in the kit? What all do you need to replace? RockAuto has fairly cheap balljoints.

 

It looks to be similar to this kit, but with the addition of the track bar/ball joint: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ball-Joi ... ccessories

 

I know I need to replace the ball joint on the bar that comes from the pitman arm down to the knuckle...the ball joint at the knuckle...it has a ton of slop in it. I'm also able to lift the whole knuckle assembly up a tiny bit on both sides - so I'd like to replace all four ball joints. At this point, I feel like I should just replace everything on the front and be done with it. This was a farm field truck for many years that saw a ton of dirt and bumpy roads at high speeds while my Uncle owned it. I'd bet my life savings that he NEVER greased the front end. Amazingly, this truck does not have the death wobble, but the steering is very loose and I'd like to tighten it up some before I put this truck into daily duty service.

 

I've seen the ball joints on RockAuto, but I've also read a lot of threads on various forums that basically say go with Moog or nothing...that starts to get pricey real quick!

[terrawombat]

Also, thanks for the information - I now see why certain manufacturers are able to offer a lower ball joint that is compatible for ALL years - looks like they include a threaded insert so it works on the earlier years, but can be omitted for the later years.

 

Edit: I don't know if my above thinking is correct now that I research this further...

[terrawombat]

I decided to tackle this little project in steps. I'm going to replace the ball joints since I know I've got some slop there. I found a full set of Moog's for a relatively good price:

 

http://www.autopartsexpress.com/item.ww ... G&weight=3

 

http://www.autopartsexpress.com/item.ww ... G&weight=3

 

Never ordered from this company before, but I'll give them a shot since they saved me over $55 from the next lowest priced competitor - total was $111. Amazon wanted $169 and Rockauto wanted $183 for the same exact products. Advanceauto wanted an arm and a leg and my firstborn child.

[kastein]

Crap I am too late... if you ever have to do this again, I'm reasonably certain the Dana Spicer kits I got from alljeep.com came with the threaded piece. I know the no-name (but good according to some of the NAXJA guys who thrash the crap out of their stuff) balljoints sold by Crown are good, I think they're TRWs. I've put a couple thousand street miles on mine with my MJ and they are doing great, far better than the worn out junk I took out of there.

[terrawombat]

In my research I found that TRW and Moog ball joints are VERY similar, if not the exact same component with a different part number. Both companies are owned by Federal-Mogul so it's possible.

 

I may be doing the balljoints on my '01XJ pretty soon before a 1000 mile round-trip so I may pick up the ones at alljeep.com - woulda saved me about 30 bucks or so...not sure what the shipping costs are like there.

[kastein]

Pretty decent. The set of WJ balljoints I got for my eventual WJ knuckle swap cost me ~90 shipped... they sell them as "super 30" balljoints. Make sure you aren't getting those for an XJ unless you're doing the WJ swap.

[terrawombat]

Nah - no WJ swaps for my '88MJ Pioneer or my '01XJ. Those two trucks are strictly daily drivers, people/dog haulers, weekend chore vehicles. I do the occasional offroad excursion, but nothing crazy - just some woods trails. The Moog was probably overkill for me, but I like the peace of mind. Plus, replacing ball joints isn't real fun so I want to do it once and do it right.

[terrawombat]

Replaced the drag link and pitman arm tie rod end last night since the ball joint on the old tie rod was gone. Figured I'd replace the pitman arm tie rod end while I was in there. Got the adjustment sleeve adjusted fairly decent so that the truck drive straight when the steering wheel is straight, but the toe-in adjustment is all outta whack and the adjuster is frozen on the two tie rod ends. Going to soak them down in PB Blaster for a bit and have another go at it next week.

 

With the new drag link in, no more random death wobble at 50+MPH!