97 Cherokee with 122k miles...During the installation of my lift I replaced some of the TRE boots that were split with Energy Suspension TRE boots and one Dorman rubber boot. I've got 5" of lift and have only put about 3k miles on since the boots were installed. My steering system is stock...no drop pitman, etc. I don't have any noticable bumpsteer or any DW. I have the IRO HD TracBar with drop bracket.
The Dorman boot that I installed on the drag link connection at the knuckle is split all the way from top to bottom and the TRE that connects to the drag link has a poly boot that is split about half way up from the widest diameter.
1. I think the angle on the drag link is severe enough to be causing the "universal" boot to over compress resulting in the split.
2. I have no idea how old the TREs and drag link components are. They don't have a ton of play, but I can grab them and rotate them by hand within their range of motion.
So, with this information. It would seem like I need to get a drop pitman arm at least to reduce the angle on the drag link. But let's say I want to go one step further and replace the drag link, tie rod and TRE's....
I want something that is a no mod to easy mod install and that I can get replacement parts for at the local auto parts stores. That means that I don't want to have to ream out pitman arms or knuckles, or remove/weld on brackets, or need to buy other things like wheel spacers or wheels to decrease my backspacing.
What say you?
Thanks,
Rob
The Dorman boot that I installed on the drag link connection at the knuckle is split all the way from top to bottom and the TRE that connects to the drag link has a poly boot that is split about half way up from the widest diameter.
1. I think the angle on the drag link is severe enough to be causing the "universal" boot to over compress resulting in the split.
2. I have no idea how old the TREs and drag link components are. They don't have a ton of play, but I can grab them and rotate them by hand within their range of motion.
So, with this information. It would seem like I need to get a drop pitman arm at least to reduce the angle on the drag link. But let's say I want to go one step further and replace the drag link, tie rod and TRE's....
I want something that is a no mod to easy mod install and that I can get replacement parts for at the local auto parts stores. That means that I don't want to have to ream out pitman arms or knuckles, or remove/weld on brackets, or need to buy other things like wheel spacers or wheels to decrease my backspacing.
What say you?
Thanks,
Rob