xFallen
11-04-2005, 08:38 PM
PART I of II
Upgrading from Rock Krawler HD steering to the Rock Krawler X Factor HD steering
Nick at Performance Offroad on 32nd Street and Cactus Road in Phoenix, AZ provided me with the opportunity to upgrade from the old Rock Krawler Heavy Duty steering I had installed on my 1998 TJ to the new X Factor system. I had often lamented the lack of over the knuckle design. I also had a few small nits about the old system. Make no mistake, the old HD stuff is very stout and works extremely well. It is a huge improvement over the wimpy stock steering that bends, flexes and breaks under serious use. The RK HD system is nice. However, I wanted to try the new stuff. Thanks Nick for making that possible.This is the before picture of the Rock Krawler Heavy Duty Steering as installed on a 1998 Jeep TJ Sport. This TJ also has the Rock Krawler Extreme Duty Long Arm 5.5" Gen II suspension lift. Other notable items are the JKS Quicker Disconnects.
The RK KD steering is designed to be installed under the steering knuckle on a TJ. It can actually be installed over the knuckle but clearance may have to be made for the tie rod to clear the lower track bar bracket and the lower sway bar mounts. The system pictured is installed below the knuckle.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/001 Before.JPG
These are the new parts for the RK X Factor HD steering system. Beginning upper left and moving clockwise, the passenger side knuckle support bracket, drag link with heim joint, instructions, bag of hardware containing a large machined washer, two 1/2" washers three bolts (2 the same size, one longer) and 3 nylock nuts, finally in front is the tie rod with heim joints installed.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/002 X Factor Parts.jpg
Note the instruction booklet. Although this is a simple install, read the instructions until you thoroughly understand each and every step. For moving from RK HD to RK XF HD you'll need a 1 1/8" wrench, 22 mm wrench and socket, 1/2" or 13mm 12 point socket and a torque wrench.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/003 Instructions.jpg
Remove the old drag link. I started at the ball joint attached to the Pitman arm. Note the dropped Pitman arm, also from Rock Krawler. These are left hand threads which means that the drag link turns counter-clockwise to remove, opposite of what you may find intuitive. You will also remove the tie rod at this time. Since I started with the RK HD kit installed, all I did was remove the bolts on the steering knuckles and drop the tie rod. If you are installing from stock, follow the RK instructions. basically, you will pop out the old ball joints and open the hole to 9/16".
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/004 Remove Drag Link.jpg
Because I did not want to align the front end right away, I used the length of the old tie rod to set the length of the new one. I inserted the bolts into the old tie rod ends and lay the new tie rod over top, adjusting the end links until they fit the old tie rod smoothly. This should get the alignment pretty darn close for now.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/005 Old and New Tie Rod.jpg
The length turned out to be darn close to the 52 1/8" specified as a starting point in the instructions.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/008 New Tie Rod Length.jpg
Now that the old bits are out the the way, we can start putting the new pieces in place. Start on the passenger side. Note the two 1/2" (13 mm) 12 point bolts. These hold the bearing in and need to removed temporarily to fit the steering bracket. Use a 1/2" or 13 mm 12 point socket.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/006 Pass Knuckle.jpg
Put the steering bracket in place and loosely install the old bolts. Be sure to install the two 1/2" flat washers as spacers behind the bracket against the knuckle. This shims the bracket for proper fitment.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/007 New Bracket.jpg
(continued in Part II of II)
(http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?p=48146#post48146)
Upgrading from Rock Krawler HD steering to the Rock Krawler X Factor HD steering
Nick at Performance Offroad on 32nd Street and Cactus Road in Phoenix, AZ provided me with the opportunity to upgrade from the old Rock Krawler Heavy Duty steering I had installed on my 1998 TJ to the new X Factor system. I had often lamented the lack of over the knuckle design. I also had a few small nits about the old system. Make no mistake, the old HD stuff is very stout and works extremely well. It is a huge improvement over the wimpy stock steering that bends, flexes and breaks under serious use. The RK HD system is nice. However, I wanted to try the new stuff. Thanks Nick for making that possible.This is the before picture of the Rock Krawler Heavy Duty Steering as installed on a 1998 Jeep TJ Sport. This TJ also has the Rock Krawler Extreme Duty Long Arm 5.5" Gen II suspension lift. Other notable items are the JKS Quicker Disconnects.
The RK KD steering is designed to be installed under the steering knuckle on a TJ. It can actually be installed over the knuckle but clearance may have to be made for the tie rod to clear the lower track bar bracket and the lower sway bar mounts. The system pictured is installed below the knuckle.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/001 Before.JPG
These are the new parts for the RK X Factor HD steering system. Beginning upper left and moving clockwise, the passenger side knuckle support bracket, drag link with heim joint, instructions, bag of hardware containing a large machined washer, two 1/2" washers three bolts (2 the same size, one longer) and 3 nylock nuts, finally in front is the tie rod with heim joints installed.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/002 X Factor Parts.jpg
Note the instruction booklet. Although this is a simple install, read the instructions until you thoroughly understand each and every step. For moving from RK HD to RK XF HD you'll need a 1 1/8" wrench, 22 mm wrench and socket, 1/2" or 13mm 12 point socket and a torque wrench.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/003 Instructions.jpg
Remove the old drag link. I started at the ball joint attached to the Pitman arm. Note the dropped Pitman arm, also from Rock Krawler. These are left hand threads which means that the drag link turns counter-clockwise to remove, opposite of what you may find intuitive. You will also remove the tie rod at this time. Since I started with the RK HD kit installed, all I did was remove the bolts on the steering knuckles and drop the tie rod. If you are installing from stock, follow the RK instructions. basically, you will pop out the old ball joints and open the hole to 9/16".
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/004 Remove Drag Link.jpg
Because I did not want to align the front end right away, I used the length of the old tie rod to set the length of the new one. I inserted the bolts into the old tie rod ends and lay the new tie rod over top, adjusting the end links until they fit the old tie rod smoothly. This should get the alignment pretty darn close for now.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/005 Old and New Tie Rod.jpg
The length turned out to be darn close to the 52 1/8" specified as a starting point in the instructions.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/008 New Tie Rod Length.jpg
Now that the old bits are out the the way, we can start putting the new pieces in place. Start on the passenger side. Note the two 1/2" (13 mm) 12 point bolts. These hold the bearing in and need to removed temporarily to fit the steering bracket. Use a 1/2" or 13 mm 12 point socket.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/006 Pass Knuckle.jpg
Put the steering bracket in place and loosely install the old bolts. Be sure to install the two 1/2" flat washers as spacers behind the bracket against the knuckle. This shims the bracket for proper fitment.
http://members.cox.net/xfallen/007 New Bracket.jpg
(continued in Part II of II)
(http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?p=48146#post48146)