little late but heres a little write-u[p I did for my local site:
I just wanted to share my experience with rugged ridge steering setup for my xj:
http://www.omix-ada.com/jeep-parts/p...temNo=18050.82
At first install it seemed beefy and strong, but Immediately noticed some wandering. I had an alignment done, same darn thing, like a drunk weavin down the road. I had play from about the 11o'clock to 1 o'clock steering wheel position. Had a buddy work the steering while I had a look underneath to see what was going on. The tie rod that goes from wheel to wheel flops like a dead fish!! I contribute that to the connector tie rod being bent so the system clears the sway bar link mount on the axle. Did some research and found out this is "Normal" and more "pronounced" on vehicles over 4.5" lift. About the only way I found to temporarily cure this is to install a spacer between the tie rod and knuckle on the passenger side. I used plastic cutting bored 1/2" thick and used a hole saw to cut them out. I cut 4 or five to replace them as they wear out. Mild wheeling I'd get 4-5 trips out of a spacer, If I'm playing on the rocks I'd kill a spacer that day. I got about a year out of the tie rod ends, they are all worn out, 2 weeks to get, the only one that can be purchased through normal channels is a es3096l, they others are only available through rugged ridge or a distributor.New ends took 2 weeks to get. Way too long if you are broken or unsafe for the road. I have finally decided to ditch the setup.
Pros:
-beefy tie rod, thick, will support weight of the front of an xj
-steering feels more stable offroad
-relatively well priced kit
-easy bolt on installation
Cons:
- To much "dead spot" in steering,feel like a drunk trying to drive down the road
- Proprietor tie rod ends- means you cant go to lordco or napa for replacements. I sourced mine through tyler at national
- accelerated wear of all tie rod ends due to flop caused be tie rod roll
- You have to start steering before every corner ( my gf called it Pre-steer, she found it odd I start to turn when we are still going straight before we hit a corner)
I just ordered an Iron rock Offroad -Over the knuckle heim kit with 5/8 bolt upgrade. I'm hoping this is a little better. At least I can buy new heims for it!!
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...egory_Code=XST
I hope this is the end of it!!