Broken Drag Link, Neutral Pitman Arm Position?

[Aonarch]

My drag link adjuster popped out and damaged the threads in the process.

I'll be replacing it, but a question, with the wheels pointed straight, where should the pitman arm being pointing? Completely dead ahead to the front of the vehicle, or perhaps at an angle?

If I do need to move the pitman arm before reinstalling the drag link, how do I safely move it?

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[kevman65]

IIRC, straight ahead.

 

[Fouts]

Not sure but isn't you pitman arm basically an extension of your steering wheel. If you center your steering wheel and your wheels/tires are straight you should be close. Probably want to have aligned immediately.

 

[Aonarch]

Does anyone know if it is safe to turn the steering wheel without the drag link installed? Not sure if the box has to have a load or anything.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Does anyone know if it is safe to turn the steering wheel without the drag link installed? Not sure if the box has to have a load or anything.

No problem - you can even turn it with engine off.

 

[Aonarch]

Lastly, I need to kill stability control temporarily, does anyone know which fuse?

If not I might just pull a speed sensor.

https://www.[Banned Site]/threads/fuse-box-jl-wrangler-quick-reference-chart.53079/

Multiple mentions of ECS, but not sure which one will do it. Or maybe their is a different fuse like ABS.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Lastly, I need to kill stability control temporarily, does anyone know which fuse?

If not I might just pull a speed sensor.

Button on the dash - or is that traction control only?????

 

[Aonarch]

Button on the dash - or is that traction control only?????

TC only. It thinks I am skidding going straight and applying stability control, since the steering wheel is pointed to 10 oclock.

I've got a Synergy drag link on order.

 

[Renegade]

TC only. It thinks I am skidding going straight and applying stability control, since the steering wheel is pointed to 10 oclock.

I've got a Synergy drag link on order.

Are you not able to reassemble the drag link adjuster? How did it come apart? Was the pinch bolt not tight? You should be able to center the steering wheel, then bolt everything back up. It might help to take the drag link loose at the passenger knuckle to spin everything back together at the adjustment joint, if you can’t just get the parts going back together right.

 

[Aonarch]

Are you not able to reassemble the drag link adjuster? How did it come apart? Was the pinch bolt not tight? You should be able to center the steering wheel, then bolt everything back up. It might help to take the drag link loose at the passenger knuckle to spin everything back together at the adjustment joint, if you can’t just get the parts going back together right.

Yup pinch bolt wasn't tight.

The threads are damaged. I need to try taking it off the passenger side those.

 

[Aonarch]

Fixed it until my Synergy drag link comes in.

This was my method:
Jack up the axle, support axle with axle stands, remove front passenger wheel.

Turn wheels to full passenger lock, remove drag link at the passenger knuckle.

Set the pitman arm to full passenger lock, adjust drag link length to fit back into the knuckle, remember to tighten the 15mm clap bolt. Replace nut on drag link, tighten till snug. Straighten the wheels back to straight ahead. Check steering wheel and pitman arm placement. Torque drag link nut to spec.

Seems fine, but I definitely can't wheel it. There are shredded threads coming out of the adjuster housing.

Toe was perfect.

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