Rack and pinion needs drop on Superlift

[TrialByFire]

Oh, I see what you are saying. I was getting a bad clunk from the drivers side this past winter and replaced the drivers side inner and outer tie rod and it went away for a few weeks. Then I started hearing it again but its very slight now and only happens when I take off hard from a red light. I can also feel slight play where the inner tie rod screws into the rack underneith the boot. No big deal. Im going to drive it until it has to be replaced. The alignment is dead on and I havent noticed anything bad resulting from that slight clunk. Im almost at 107,000 miles on the stock rack running 33's.

I just checked and the Cardone rack and pinion assembly is still not available from either O'Reilly or NAPA. It looks like the only option for an replacement is Mopar-Wholesale at about $650. Ouch! I think I will try to rebuild mine if I can.

[Omelet]

Here's a pic showing the difference between OEM and SL. You can see how much longer the UCA mount is as well and the tie rod mount.




And what I have found is the racks are hit and miss. Some seem to give up quite easily while others are more robust. It also greatly depends on how the Jeep is driven. If you spend time off road, particularly more difficult trails where you max out the travel and take hard hits, then it probably won't live as long. But if you really ever wheel it or stick to easier trail the rack will probably last longer. I am sure weight also has a big role to play!

[stites-xk]

Oh, I see what you are saying. I was getting a bad clunk from the drivers side this past winter and replaced the drivers side inner and outer tie rod and it went away for a few weeks. Then I started hearing it again but its very slight now and only happens when I take off hard from a red light. I can also feel slight play where the inner tie rod screws into the rack underneith the boot. No big deal. Im going to drive it until it has to be replaced. The alignment is dead on and I havent noticed anything bad resulting from that slight clunk. Im almost at 107,000 miles on the stock rack running 33's.

Mines really bad loud clunks taking off and turning but I wheel my xk really hard. No easy trails for me. I like the challenge.

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[07JeepXK]

Same here. I don't like easy boring trails. Blues and a few blacks for me when I visit Rausch Creek. That's what they made skid plates for!

[Matt]

Are you going to RC this weekend?

[07JeepXK]

Are you going to RC this weekend?

This weekend isnt looking to promising. My little brother just got the new engine in the TJ and on the road again Saturday. All of his buddies are slowly backing out at the last minute. The one guy just installed a 6 inch lift and 3 inch body on his Titan but cant get tires in time and is rockin bald 33's that are way to small for the amount of lift he has. Im going to talk to my brother and find out whats going on. The weekend of the 15-17 looks like a better weekend.

[stites-xk]

If i lived closer i would be there, but can't take any time off work right now

[Matt]

…The weekend of the 15-17 looks like a better weekend.

Well, just a reminder ill be there on the 17th. Still unknown who's coming with me so not positive on the level of trails.... but RC is set up nicely to accommodate all levels without drastically splitting up.

[07JeepXK]

Well, just a reminder ill be there on the 17th. Still unknown who's coming with me so not positive on the level of trails.... but RC is set up nicely to accommodate all levels without drastically splitting up.

Yea your right. That's why I love Rausch Creek! Well we might be meeting on the 17th....

[stites-xk]

I just checked and the Cardone rack and pinion assembly is still not available from either O'Reilly or NAPA. It looks like the only option for an replacement is Mopar-Wholesale at about $650. Ouch! I think I will try to rebuild mine if I can.

Check rock auto.com out they might have one. a rebuild one at least

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