need answer FAST

[jpars]

so the rig is in the tire shop getting an alignment tires rotated etc.

guy calls says allignment is going to be an extra 80 bucks.
i ask him why he says there is a bent steering component.
i ask tierod, etc, what component

he says adjusting sleeve
now i have spent about a year on this site and have never seen the term "adjusting sleeve" mentioned

any help asap is GREATLY appreciated

[DaffyXJ]

The adjusting sleeve is the connection point on the drag/tie rod link to adjust the length to correct toe in or the steering wheel center.
It's a split sleeve threaded and tightened with two (2) nut /bolt combos.
When loosened you can rotate the associated bar ad dial in or out the total rod length for the alignment.

Not sure I have even seen/heard of a bent one being inoperable.

[jpars]

well apparently ive got a bent one? should i have them do it?
im leaving for college tommorow- self maintenence is not an option NO time

[DaffyXJ]

Yeah, you should. At some point we have to trust the call of the local maintenance shop. ANd that's well below the cost of an OEM drag link. If they can't get the toe in set with the parts the way they are, you won't have a good alignment and can eat a set of tires in a few hundred miles.

Good luck.

[87xjco]

Rock and a hard place, which is about the only way it could get bent.

if you say no they don't guarantee the alignment and charge for the time spent, if you say yes, it costs more than if you do it yourself, but if you did it yourself, you would probably need another alignment.

[jpars]

well this is a no brainer. its gettin it done. ive got brand new tires on there (1k at most) and knew i needed an alignment.

i also have no time because im leaving tommorow at noon so its getting done. thanks for the quick replies guys.

so did i mess that up offroading?

[Gnat5680]

ask him for the bad part and take a pic and we could tell you.

[DaffyXJ]

Hard to say, It is possible to smack the actual adjusting sleeve and bend it in to where the tie rod/drag link won;t screw in or out, but it's a split sleeve, It's usually just as easy to bend it back out so the rods will thread in and out again.
It's more likely you really bent the tie rod and they just said adjusting sleeve. Make sure you get the failed parts back when you pick the jeep up. They are your's you know. It may be slightly bent (What ever part it is) but it will make a usable spare part in the future and may be just enough to get you home the next time you really do smash the same part up off roading.

Deril

[jpars]

Hard to say, It is possible to smack the actual adjusting sleeve and bend it in to where the tie rod/drag link won;t screw in or out, but it's a split sleeve, It's usually just as easy to bend it back out so the rods will thread in and out again.
It's more likely you really bent the tie rod and they just said adjusting sleeve. Make sure you get the failed parts back when you pick the jeep up. They are your's you know. It may be slightly bent (What ever part it is) but it will make a usable spare part in the future and may be just enough to get you home the next time you really do smash the same part up off roading.

Deril


so you think im getting a new tie rod put in right now?

[Jeep914x4]

ask him for the bad part and take a pic and we could tell you.


X2 If I ever do take my jeep to the shop I ALWAYS ask them for the old parts.

For one, you can see if they really replaced XXXX part. Plus, it might still be useful as a spare.

Hope everything works out.

[DaffyXJ]

No, I don't know. BUt it's the same effect as if the adjusting sleeve was not fixable. Ijust think it likely that a techncian/repair shop could say adjusting sleeve when it's actually a piece of the actual steering bar connections that are bad. And I ONLY mentioned that because the adjusting sleeve is very easy to fix to make it work and very hard to smack with a rock to bend/crush it. It's only about 4 inches long.
The take away here is to get the jeep aligned and save the wear and tear on the rubber, AND get the old part back so you can use it as a spare in the future.

[jpars]

Can do. thanks for all the advice

[dizzymac]

I hit a curb once and bent an adjusting sleeve. If you are getting an alignment and the sleeve for $80 bucks its not a bad deal, the sleeve goes for $18 by itself. Either way have it replaced, you maybe could straighten it, but it will be weak and bend again. Winter is fast approaching, you don't want to be laying out in the snow trying to replace this yourself.

[jpars]

well, went to pick it up.
get on my arse, and i have a brand new tie rod............."adjusting sleeve"????????

ask to see the old one, it is a little bent. i kept it for a spare. you can see how i definately wouldnt have noticed it just driving but how it would throw an allignment off.