V8 Zj Drag Link On '92 2Wd? Front End Still Popping

[1987Comanche]

  I replaced Georgia's (92 4.0HO, AX-15, 2WD) ball joints today and the steering/responsiveness is much improved.  My popping noise(s) have decreased but are still present.  Thus far I've changed Upper & Lower control arm bushings, ball joints, Track bar, & sway bar end links.  I've noticed that I can make one of the pops appear if I steer to the right and then quickly turn the wheel left about 10 degrees.  It seems like the TRE/adjuster & drag link would be next on the list. 

  It looks like the V8 ZJ Tie rod assembly is a direct bolt in for the MJ and, from what I can tell 2WD and 4WD are the same.  Is the same true for the drag link?  If so I'll pull the entire thing at the jy on my next trip.

  If there are no decent looking (low mile) V8 ZJ's at the junkyard what are my other options?  It seems like a lot of suspension/steering parts changed for 91.  If I find an older MJ/XJ with new steering components are they plug and play?  I'm assuming I-6 ZJ components are identical.  What about WJ steering components?  I'm trying to build as broad a list of interchangeability as possible b/c I don't know what I'll find...

 

 

 

[Crash]

The drag link is the same between the XJ and ZJ. Not better/improved like the V8 ZJ tie rod. 

WJ axle is wider, so will not work. 

It seems like a common upgrade is the WJ steering/brakes. You will modded or custom steering links and a modded trackbar/mount. But you get bigger and better braking and cross over steering. And it is not a direct bolt-in. 

[1987Comanche]

Did some additional searching and found this:

 

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1089852

 

Advance lists: '92 XJ/MJ DS1238

'97ZJ V8: DS 1310

 

 It appears the drag links aren't the same but neither are the tie rods.  If the ZJ one is a direct fit but a bit beefier that's fine.  If it causes geometry issues as suggested by the NAXJA thread then I need to stick with an XJ as a donor. 

[mvusse]

ZJ drag link is a direct fit, BUT:

 

The FIRST thing I always suspects with a popping sound is the track bar frame bracket, second is the track bar axle bracket. My personal experience is the hole in the bracket wallows out, allowing the track bar to move. Barely audible outside the vehicle, but quite loud inside because the sound travels through the body structure. The track bar itself is hardly ever the issue, yet for some reason you can buy a track bar at any discount auto parts store, but the frame side bracket (which simply bolts on with 4 bolts) is not available.

 

Have somebody underneath the truck checking every piece that moves when you make it pop, especially the ends of the track bar.

[dakal]

x2

[1987Comanche]

When I replaced the track bar both the old one & the new one seemed tight in the bracket. Were you able to wiggle the end of the track bar by hand or did it require a pry bar to check?  I suppose the bracket itself could have loosened up.  What's the bracket interchange: 84-01 XJ?  I can add that to my shopping list.

[mvusse]

Teach someone how to make it pop. Crawl underneath, with a flashlight if needed, and while the other person makes it pop, see what moves in a way it shouldn't. You will not be able to move it by hand, and you will not be able to get a pry bar in there in such a way as to make it move. It won't move up and down, it will move sideways.

[cruiser54]

Teach someone how to make it pop. Crawl underneath, with a flashlight if needed, and while the other person makes it pop, see what moves in a way it shouldn't. You will not be able to move it by hand, and you will not be able to get a pry bar in there in such a way as to make it move. It won't move up and down, it will move sideways.

 

And, as already suggested by mvusse, check the track bar bracket to frame bolts. Put a wrench/socket on them and tighten them down just because it's a common problem and you won't necessarily "see" that they're loose.

[1987Comanche]

check the track bar bracket to frame bolts

 

  Good point.  She's going for a lifetime alignment recheck tomorrow but I'll pull the airbox and check the track bar bracket later this week.  Out of curiosity what are the differences in track bars between years?  Meg (the old '87) and Maura ('90) used one P/N but Georgia ('92) uses a different P/N.  Are they all interchangeable?

[mvusse]

As far as I know they are. The only difference I have seen are the existence, or absence, of a grease fitting on the tie rod end.

[Incommando]

X 4 billion on MVUSSE's advice. I have seen numerous XJ/MJ's with that popping noise that was caused by the frame side bracket being toast.

[cruiser54]

X 4 billion on MVUSSE's advice. I have seen numerous XJ/MJ's with that popping noise that was caused by the frame side bracket being toast.

 

It was so common when the Jeeps were new that we adopted the practice of tightening those bolts up during the PreDelivery Inspection.

[1987Comanche]

  The track bar frame bracket was pretty tight (got 1/8 turn on 1 of 4 bolts) but the bushing on my 3 or 4 month old track bar was shot.  FYI for anyone considering the "Driveworks" (Advance) track bar.  Replaced it with a Moog and so far, so good.