Steering fix

[Aidan]

Basically every ball joint in my front end is shot, on the ends of the track bar, sway bar etc are ripped at the boot and spewing grease. Is there a kit from Mopar or crown auto for a full set? I'd even go for some upgraded parts to beef it up if anyone has had luck with a particular brand, thanks in advance !

 

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[AZJeff]

There isn’t a kit, per se.  you just purchase all the pieces for each subsytem.

 

—upper and lower ball joints for the axle

—tie rod ends and drag link Ends for the steering
—complete track bar

 

i would go to Rock Auto to get the parts.  The Moog brand would be among the selections available, and is a very good choice.

[JustEmptyEveryPocket]

Mevotech TTX Ball Joints might be a good option compared to Moog. I have read several user reviews that they are great quality for the price.  YMMV 

For me, ball joints are one of those jobs that I want to do once and do right because it sucks.

[Pete M]

get a v8 ZJ grand cherokee drag link.    same ends and length, but it's stronger.  

 

or was that for the tie rod?  can anyone confirm which?

[JMO413]

4 hours ago, AZJeff said:

There isn’t a kit, per se.  you just purchase all the pieces for each subsytem.

 

—upper and lower ball joints for the axle

—tie rod ends and drag link Ends for the steering
—complete track bar

 

i would go to Rock Auto to get the parts.  The Moog brand would be among the selections available, and is a very good choice.

Agreed but I would buy the whole ZJ steering setup. The ZJ steering is a great upgrade for the price. It's stronger and easier to adjust. I have had good luck with Moog so far on mine.

[PIKE]

I plan to do this mod too. Please correct me if i am wrong. It gets confusing but from my research you to not want to use the ZJ  tie rod end. The bar that goes from the steering box to the steering damper. I have read that there is a difference in how the damper hooks up so the late model XJ is needed.

 

Moog DS1238

All other parts would be for a ZJ

 

Moog ES3096L 

 

Moog DS1312 

 

Like I said please correct me if you don't agree, these are the part numbers I plan to use when I do this upgrade.

 

Thanks

 

[JMO413]

I looked all mine up for a 97 or 98 ZJ from knuckle to knuckle and to the steering gear. I did replace the damper also but most after market list the ZJ and XJ damper as the same.

[WahooSteeler]

8 hours ago, Pete M said:

get a v8 ZJ grand cherokee drag link.    same ends and length, but it's stronger.  

 

or was that for the tie rod?  can anyone confirm which?

 

Pete, it's the tie rod that's interchangeable without any issues. You can use a ZJ GC drag link, but it has slightly different geometry than the MJ/XJ and some have reported some steering issues based on lift etc. The late model XJs offered the same thickness/diameter drag link but with XJ/MJ geometry. DS1238 is the XJ beefy replacement vs DS1310 for the ZJ V8 version. 

[WahooSteeler]

2 hours ago, PIKE said:

I plan to do this mod too. Please correct me if i am wrong. It gets confusing but from my research you to not want to use the ZJ  tie rod end. The bar that goes from the steering box to the steering damper. I have read that there is a difference in how the damper hooks up so the late model XJ is needed.

 

Moog DS1238

All other parts would be for a ZJ

 

Moog ES3096L 

 

Moog DS1312 

 

Like I said please correct me if you don't agree, these are the part numbers I plan to use when I do this upgrade.

 

Thanks

 

 

Pike, this is correct and I researched the crap out of it before I did it. I have done this on mine with these parts. You'll also need (s) ES2079S sleeves for both your tie rod and drag link (tie rod end). ES3096L will require (2) pieces also. 

[Pete M]

3 minutes ago, WahooSteeler said:

 

Pete, it's the tie rod. You can use a ZJ GC drag link, but it has slightly different geometry than the MJ/XJ and some have reported some steering issues based on lift etc. The late model XJs offered the same thickness/diameter drag link but with XJ/MJ geometry. DS1238 is the XJ beefy replacement vs DS1310 for the ZJ V8 version. 

 

 

thanks   for the life of me I cannot keep that bit of info straight.

[WahooSteeler]

Just now, Pete M said:

 

 

thanks   for the life of me I cannot keep that bit of info straight.

 

LOL.......agree 100%, I get the two of them backwards all the time when recommending to others. Had to do the same just now before I posted LOL!!

[Aidan]

I need some help getting steered into the right direction (pun intended lol). I went out and took some pictures and was hoping you guys could help me with part numbers. I always end up ordering the wrong stuff and with super long mailing times during corona I'd like to get it right the first time lol

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[AZJeff]

19 hours ago, JMO413 said:

Agreed but I would buy the whole ZJ steering setup. The ZJ steering is a great upgrade for the price. It's stronger and easier to adjust. 

Good point, especially if you are running larger wheels and tires and/or have a significant lift.

[AZJeff]

I have labeled the chassis pieces in the attached photos you took.   

 

I suggest you go to Rock Auto, because they will show you pictures of the parts offered, and you can match not only the names of the parts, but you can confirm the appearance.

 

 

 

 

[JMO413]

17 minutes ago, AZJeff said:

Good point, especially if you are running larger wheels and tires and/or have a significant lift.

It's also easier to adjust than the earlier with the long adjuster that tends to sieze up.  

[Aidan]

Thanks for the labeled chart Jeff, I should purchase the 93-98 Grand Cherokee parts instead of the Comanche ones?

 

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[AZJeff]

6 minutes ago, Aidan said:

Thanks for the labeled chart Jeff, I should purchase the 93-98 Grand Cherokee parts instead of the Comanche ones?

 

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I would definitely recommend the ZJ steering parts (tie rods & drag link).

 

i do not think there is any difference between ZJ and MJ/XJ ball joints.

 

i hate the design of the factory track bar where it attaches to the bracket on the chassis.  If you can afford the scratch, I would upgrade to an adjustable track bar and corresponding bracket that does away with the ball and socket joint on the chassis end.

[WahooSteeler]

2 hours ago, AZJeff said:

I would definitely recommend the ZJ steering parts (tie rods & drag link).

 

i do not think there is any difference between ZJ and MJ/XJ ball joints.

 

i hate the design of the factory track bar where it attaches to the bracket on the chassis.  If you can afford the scratch, I would upgrade to an adjustable track bar and corresponding bracket that does away with the ball and socket joint on the chassis end.

 

Up to you Aidan, but as noted above by Pete the ZJ drag link has a slightly different geometry and has had reports of binding and other issues. Late model XJs had the beefier drag link same diameter as the ZJ V8 version and has the same geometry as your MJ. Moog DS1238 is the part number for that. ZJ tie rod and trackbar work great, although I am of the same feeling as AZJeff on the track bar, not a fan of the OE frame side mount so it's worth considering a good aftermarket unit that also comes with the frame side bracket to replace the factory design.