With the Currie Enterprises...
With the Currie Enterprises Currectlync heavy-duty tie-rod and drag-link system installed on our '97 Jeep Cherokee XJ, we're ready to meet obstacles head on, without the incessant worry of tweaking the steering system.
Being that they sit forward of the front axle, the tie rod and drag link are typically the first part of your vehicle to make contact with rocks and other obstacles. Depending on your rate of travel, this meeting can go one of two ways, and considering the amount of bent stock tie rods we see on Jeep Cherokees and Wranglers, there are very few who come out unscathed in the exchange.
The Currie Currectlync heavy-duty tie-rod and drag-link system is designed for all Wrangler TJs, including Unlimited and Rubicon models, Cherokee XJ, and Comanche MJ Jeeps. The system includes a new, 1-1/4-inch, chrome-moly bar stock tie rod that's bored and threaded on the ends; a 1-1/4-inch-diameter, forged chrome-moly drag link; new 7/8-inch-thread rod ends with urethane boots and jam nuts; and clamps, adjusters, and a heavy-duty steering-stabilizer bracket. Currie also offers a Rancho RS5000 steering stabilizer to replace faded stock stabilizers.
While the Currectlync steering system will fit all of the previously mentioned vehicles, John Currie indicated that the kit functions best on vehicles equipped with some degree of lift. This is due to the fact the Currie steering components are much larger in diameter than stock and require a bit more clearance for unobstructed operation, as well as because the drag link is slightly angled to better maintain proper steering geometry in a wide range of lifted Jeeps. If a stock vehicle is extra low due to sagging springs and shocks, the drag-link angle will be exceeded and steering binding could occur. Despite these warnings, we haven't experienced any issues in our bone-stock '97 Cherokee XJ - even during easy off-road maneuvering with slight articulation.
Along with the installation of the Currectlync steering, we also opted to install the company's steering-gearbox brace. The brace is a great aid in keeping the steering box securely mounted without the unibody area around the mount flexing or cracking. One end of the brace clamps to the steering gear, and the other crosses to the opposite framerail where it bolts in place under the sway-bar mount. The 7/8-inch steel brace is powdercoated black and includes gold-zinc-plated clamps and the necessary installation hardware.
The Currectlync system includes...
The Currectlync system includes a 1-1/4-inch-diameter chrome-moly tie rod and a 1-1/4-inch-diameter forged chrome-moly drag link Both use heavy-duty, 7/8-inch-thread rod ends with urethane boots and jam nuts. Adjusters, clamps, and a steering-stabilizer bracket are also included.
The stock steering system...
The stock steering system hadn't been touched in a while, and it looked to have a good bit of fluid seepage coming from the power-steering lines. For the time being, we removed the stock tie rod, drag link, and steering stabilizer. We'll likely explore a steering gear and pump upgrade and line replacement further down the road.
Shown side-by-side, the greater...
Shown side-by-side, the greater size of the Currectlync steering components over that of stock is readily apparent. Note the angle of the Currectlync drag link compared to stock. This is in place to help maintain steering geometry in lifted XJs and TJs.
Think size matters? In the...
Think size matters? In the case of steering components it certainly does. The size of the stock steering components pales in comparison to that of the new Currie components. While we've seen stock tie rods snap like a twig or become pretzel-shaped, it's hard to imagine such an occurrence with these steering components in place.
Currie technician Tony began...
Currie technician Tony began the installation by coating the threads of the rod ends with antiseize and then threading them into the tie rod and drag link.
The Currectlync tie rod was...
The Currectlync tie rod was then bolted up to the vehicle and secured using the provided jam nuts and cotter pins.
On the passenger side, the...
On the passenger side, the drag link was secured between the steering knuckle and the pitman arm, and the tie rod was then bolted to the drag link.
Tony bolted on the new heavy-duty...
Tony bolted on the new heavy-duty steering-stabilizer mounting brackets and then installed the new Rancho RS5000 steering stabilizer.
The steering-gearbox brace...
The steering-gearbox brace was installed between the steering gear and the passenger-side front sway-bar mount. It will help prevent the area of the unibody around the steering-gear mount from flexing or cracking during off-road maneuvers.
As a final step, Tony adjusted...
As a final step, Tony adjusted the toe setting and centered the steering wheel. Here, he measures the trailing edge of the tire and compares the figure to that of the leading edge so adjustments could be applied as needed.