Currie Tie Rod system Install..moral of the story

[peterp1212]

My '00 TJ steering was next on my list of planned improvements. The tie rods / ends looked a little weak from an overall design standpoint so when I had a little time and money I purchased the Currie HD system. The cost, $399 was as expected and UPS droped it off at my door in a couple of days. I planned a quiet Saturday morning to remove the old set up and install the new and figured I would have time to go get the front end aligned when done! Well the old system came right off (I had read Stu's write up before I started) and between the Pickel fork and the Pitman arm remover had no problems at all! The Currie hardware bolted right back into place and after tightening everthing back up to spec I took the jeep out for a test drive and there was no problem at all! The front end seemed to still be aligned but I figured I would get it aliged anyway just to be sure! I would rather pay the $60 for an alignment then a couple of tire down the road so off I went to Fletcher's (Cooper and Ray) for a front end alignment. That is where the trouble began! Firstly the 1-2 hours wait turned into almost 4 before the jeep got onto the lift. Secondly I was looked around at all the other "tech's" working on other cars and none of them ever reached or used a torque wrench for anything, like putting the wheels back on, that should have been a red flag for me!! Well after watching the tech complete the alignment and noticing the lack of a torque wrench being used I paid my bill and started to drive home! And guess what, I now had a case of the death wsobble like I have never seen! I know I should have know so I returned to Fletcher's and had then tighen everything up again! Then on the way home guess what I again had the case of the death wobbles! I spent the next morning (Sunday my day of rest under the jeep tightening everything to spec with my torque wrench and the death wobble was gone!! I learned one important lesson! If you do not see anyone using torque wrenches leave quickly, and do not let them work on you jeep!!!:mad:

[1BLKJP]

Yeah, Peter unfortunately that's a tough lesson to learn. DW SUCKS BIG TIME. Glad you were able to work it out on your own though.

[Antman]

I shoved a guy out of the way once at Walmart in Showlow. I had bought some tires for my Dodge pickup and was watching him put them back on when he nailed the first one with all the big impact wrech could handle. As he started the second tire< I shoved him out of the way and asked if he knew what the torque setting should be on my truck. He looked at me like I was dumb and said what do I need a torque wrench for? I went to the manager.:mad:

Whenever I expect a torque wrench to be used on my vehicle if someone else works on it, I let them know I expect it.

[Renob]

I shoved a guy out of the way once at Walmart in Showlow.Well, I can see two of the problems with this scene right here. Walmart & Showlow :D

[Stu Olson]

You shouldn't have stopped your reading at the Currie tie rod write-up but rather continued on with the very simple do-it-yourself front end alignment write-up. You would have saved yourself $60, more than 6 hours of time, and massive amounts of frustration. Plus....you would have had the satisfaction of doing it yourself and knowing it was done correctly. And the best part is that since you were already installing the new steering, you already had the parts loose so that is half the job of doing a regular alignment....breaking those rusted pieces part so you can adjust them. ;)

Details at http://www.stu-offroad.com/steering/align/align-1.htm

[Antman]

Well, I can see two of the problems with this scene right here. Walmart & Showlow :D

Yea, I've had run ins before over there. But they now know me! :eek:

[Cave Gimp]

Had a very similar issue with Wal-Mart. I bought new tires off of Craigs List and had them installed at Wal-Mart. They were the cheapest. My mistake. Well after one of the super long valve stems shearedd off on a rock, I asked Nick to replace thme while at the rock light workshop. I saw my lug wrench bend as Nick had his whole weight on it and jumping. Finally after several jumps the lug came loose. All of them were like that. I'm just glad none of my studs sheared off in the process.

Thanks for the reminder, l"ook for torque wrenches."

[SHNIPE]

I saw my lug wrench bend as Nick had his whole weight on it and jumping. Finally after several jumps the lug came loose.

HOLY CRAP Nick jumped on it and it didnt come loose till a few more jumps??? WOW.. j/k nicky... Smooches haha I know i said i wouldnt tell the board unless you said it again but its just funny

Thats why i like discount. they know what torque wrenches are for and how to use them properly