Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Steering linkage

Description and operation

STEERING LINKAGE

DESCRIPTION

The steering linkage consist of a pitman arm, drag link, tie rod, tie rod ends and a steering damper (Fig.

1) and (Fig. 2). The service procedures and torque specifications are the same for LHD and RHD vehicles.

CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and cotter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.

Fig. 1 Steering Linkage-LHD
Fig. 1 Steering Linkage-LHD

1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE
3 - DRAG LINK
4 - TIE ROD
5 - STEERING DAMPENER

Fig. 2 Steering Linkage-RHD
Fig. 2 Steering Linkage-RHD

1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - DRAG LINK
3 - STEERING DAMPNER
4 - TIE ROD
5 - ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE

Service procedures

STEERING LINKAGE

The tie rod end and ball stud seals should be inspected during all oil changes. If a seal is damaged, it should be replaced. Before installing a new seal, inspect ball stud at the throat opening. Check for lubricant loss, contamination, ball stud wear or corrosion.

If these conditions exist, replace the tie rod. A replacement seal can be installed if lubricant is in good condition. Otherwise, a complete replacement ball stud end should be installed.

CAUTION: If any steering components are replaced or serviced an alignment must be performed, to ensure the vehicle meets all alignment specifications.

CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and cotter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.

Removal and installation

Tie rod

CAUTION: Use a Puller tool C-3894-A for tie rod removal. Failure to use this tool could damage the ball stud and seal (Fig. 3).

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the cotter pins and nuts at the tie rod ball studs and drag link.

(2) Loosen the ball studs with a puller tool to remove the tie rod.

(3) Loosen clamp bolts and unthread the tie rod end from the tube.

INSTALLATION

(1) Thread the tie rod end into the tube and position the clamp to it's original position (Fig. 4).

Tighten the clamp bolts to 27 N·m (20 ft. lbs.).

(2) Install the tie rod on the drag link and steering knuckle. Install the retaining nuts.

(3) Tighten the ball stud nut on the steering knuckle to 47 N·m (35 ft. lbs.). Tighten the ball stud nut to drag link to 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.). Install new cotter pins.

Fig. 3 Ball Stud Puller
Fig. 3 Ball Stud Puller

1 - CLAMP
2 - ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE
3 - PULLER TOOL C-3894-A
4 - SEAL
5 - TIE-ROD END

Fig. 4 Tie Rod/Drag Link Clamps
Fig. 4 Tie Rod/Drag Link Clamps

1 - TIE ROD CLAMP
2 - DRAG LINK CLAMPS

Pitman ARM

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the drag link at the pitman arm.

(2) Remove the drag link ball stud from the pitman arm with a puller.

(3) Remove the nut and washer from the steering gear shaft. Mark the pitman shaft and pitman arm for installation reference. Remove the pitman arm from steering gear with Puller C-4150-A (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 Pitman Arm Puller
Fig. 5 Pitman Arm Puller

1 - PITMAN ARM
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4150-A
3 - WRENCH

INSTALLATION

(1) Align and install the pitman arm on steering gear shaft.

(2) Install the washer and nut on the shaft and tighten nut to 251 N·m (185 ft. lbs.).

(3) Install drag link ball stud to pitman arm install nut and tighten to 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.). Install a new cotter pin.

Drag link

REMOVAL

(1) Remove cotter pins and nuts from drag link (2) Remove the steering damper ball stud from the drag link.

(3) Remove tie rod from drag link (4) Remove drag link from the steering knuckle and pitman arm.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install the drag link onto steering knuckle and pitman arm.

(2) Install nut at steering knuckle and tighten to 47 N·m (35 ft. lbs.). Install new cotter pins.

(3) Install nut at pitman arm and tighten to 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.). Install new cotter pins.

(4) Install tie rod onto drag link and install nut.

Tighten nut to 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.) and install new cotter pins.

(5) Install steering damper onto drag link and install nut. Tighten nut to 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.) and install a new cotter pin.

Steering damper

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the steering damper retaining bolt from the axle bracket.

(2) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the ball stud at the drag link.

(3) Remove the steering damper ball stud from the drag link with Puller C-3894-A.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install steering damper onto the axle bracket and drag link.

(2) Install steering damper bolt in axle bracket and tighten nut to 75 N·m (55 ft. lbs.).

(3) Install ball stud nut at the drag link and tighten nut to 75 N·m (55 ft. lbs.). Install a new cotter pin.

Specifications

TORQUE CHART

DESCRIPTION TORQUE

Pitman Arm

Shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 N·m (185 ft. lbs.)

Drag Link

Ball Studs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.)
Clamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 N·m (36 ft. lbs.)

Tie Rod Ends

Ball Studs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.)
Clamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 N·m (20 ft. lbs.)

Tie Rod

Ball Stud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 N·m (35 ft. lbs.)

Steering Damper

Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.)
Drag Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.)

Special tools

STEERING LINKAGE

STEERING LINKAGE

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