Need some thoughts on this,Busted pitman arm bushing

[Jeeperjamie]

So I was installing my adjustable rough country track bar I bought and I noticed the driver side of my pitman arm has a busted bushing, see video. Need some thoughts on how this could of happy. Haven't had it off road and the last ones to touch anything suspension wise was the dealership when they did the steering box back in January. Not sure if they would of removed the pitman arm for that. Either way, looks like I'll be ordering a pitman arm soon.

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[AZCooWhip]

Hmmmmmm indeed. Is it just the video or does it look like it has been hit and a bit rusted on the exterior.

 

[Rob Rod]

So I was installing my adjustable rough country track bar I bought and I noticed the driver side of my pitman arm has a busted bushing, see video. Need some thoughts on how this could of happy. Haven't had it off road and the last ones to touch anything suspension wise was the dealership when they did the steering box back in January. Not sure if they would of removed the pitman arm for that. Either way, looks like I'll be ordering a pitman arm soon.

 

[rharr]

FYI, that is the Tie Rod End on the Drag link. The rubber part is just a dust seal. Not sure why it went bad even if it is a year or 2 old. Do you have a lift that is causing the tie rod end to bind if fully flexed?

The rod end might be dented, take a single close photo. It's possible a knuckle head tech hit the rod end to get it to pop free from the pitman arm instead of the out side of the pitman arm where the tie rod goes. If replacing the gear box they would either have to pop the tire rod end off to remove the steering gear, or pull the pitman arm, which might have dropped to the ground in the process and the tie rod end hit the ground?

Not enough info so it's all guesses. either way cheap and easy fix.

turn the wheels full lock left and look at the tie rod see if it will hit anything on the axle if the axle was to travel up or down. Repeat for full lock right.

ok max screened the video, looks like someone beat the hell out of the tie rod end with a hammer, or it is hitting something in it's path of travel while the suspension is doing it's thing.

 

[Renegade]

So I was installing my adjustable rough country track bar I bought and I noticed the driver side of my pitman arm has a busted bushing, see video. Need some thoughts on how this could of happy. Haven't had it off road and the last ones to touch anything suspension wise was the dealership when they did the steering box back in January. Not sure if they would of removed the pitman arm for that. Either way, looks like I'll be ordering a pitman arm soon.

I bet the technician who replaced the steering box did it removing the tire rod end. It also looks like it’s been hit with a hammer several times to get it to pop loose after the nut was removed. Typical Jeep service crap.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

FYI, that is the Tie Rod End on the Drag link. The rubber part is just a dust seal. Not sure why it went bad even if it is a year or 2 old. Do you have a lift that is causing the tie rod end to bind if fully flexed?

The rod end might be dented, take a single close photo. It's possible a knuckle head tech hit the rod end to get it to pop free from the pitman arm instead of the out side of the pitman arm where the tie rod goes. If replacing the gear box they would either have to pop the tire rod end off to remove the steering gear, or pull the pitman arm, which might have dropped to the ground in the process and the tie rod end hit the ground?

Not enough info so it's all guesses. either way cheap and easy fix.

turn the wheels full lock left and look at the tie rod see if it will hit anything on the axle if the axle was to travel up or down. Repeat for full lock right.

It's not hitting anything or getting bound up, i already checked that. Someone's been beating on the end of it from what I can tell. I'm going to show it to the service tech when I go in for my oil change this week.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Hmmmmmm indeed. Is it just the video or does it look like it has been hit and a bit rusted on the exterior.

Definitely been hit

 

[Rob Rod]

Have a mechanic inspect the bushing, it takes a few minutes. The condition inside can indicated if the bushing is shot. Is this the first time you inspected the Gladiator under carriage?

 

[RodRecket]

I bet the technician who replaced the steering box did it removing the tire rod end. It also looks like it’s been hit with a hammer several times to get it to pop loose after the nut was removed. Typical Jeep service crap.

This would be my guess as well

 

[rharr]

It's not hitting anything or getting bound up, i already checked that. Someone's been beating on the end of it from what I can tell. I'm going to show it to the service tech when I go in for my oil change this week.

If you don't know, you are suppose to wack the part that is holding the tie rod pin, not the tie rod. wacking the outside of the part where the pin goes causes tiny vibrations that breaks the friction grip loose.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

If you don't know, you are suppose to wack the part that is holding the tie rod pin, not the tie rod. wacking the outside of the part where the pin goes causes tiny vibrations that breaks the friction grip loose.

I know how to get it loose, I've never messed with it though. Like I said, only the dealership would messed with it and I'm thinking they did it when they put my steering box on. Pictures for reference as well.
It's got grease coming out of it as well.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Have a mechanic inspect the bushing, it takes a few minutes. The condition inside can indicated if the bushing is shot. Is this the first time you inspected the Gladiator under carriage?

No, I put the Rubicon springs on last July of last year and retorqued everything in October of last year. Haven't had a reason to look at it since then, haven't had it off road or hit anything so not sure other than the dealership in January doing the steering box. Jeeps got 36,000 miles on it.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

What's the best route to go as far as fixing it. It looks like the bushing is shot. I think I need that end or should I just replace the whole thing.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Another picture for reference from another angle

 

[Chance575]

Boot is ripped from removal. Yes it has been hit with a hammer but it should be fine. Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth looking for play in it. No play just keep driving it. My local alignment shop has seen stock JLs with bad rod ends. when you start noticing some play upgrade the steering

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