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Upgrading stock steering bar and lower stock steering sway bar? Creaking!

Yellow1098

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So just like the description….I am getting a good bit of creaking nose from the stock steering bar and lower steering sway bar. When I climb under there I am able to replicate the noise by twisting the bars…..Yes, I know those aren’t the correct terms for them……the correct names for them would also be appreciated haha….

I was thinking maybe it’s the ball joints? Everything under there is nice and tight as I have re-tightened everything up several times.

The rest of the suspension is EVO 3 inch with falcon stabilize. I am sure this is a common issue with a lift and older trucks….looking for a fix or upgrade!

Thanks as always

Jeep Gladiator Upgrading stock steering bar and lower stock steering sway bar? Creaking! IMG_6879
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Yellow1098

Yellow1098

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Thank you! So it’s the drag link and tie rod bars……..that’s super helpful…..I am sure one of the companies make an after market upgrade

I was wondering what upgrades others have made to these? And how anyone else addressed or had the same issue
 

Rusty PW

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I had a creaking noise in my steering linkage. Tracked it to the tie rod end on the drag link at the pitman arm. It was just a tad loose. Didn't cause any other issues. Replaced both the drag link and tie rod with Core 4x4 steering linkage.
 

Free2roam

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I went with Fusion 4x4 steering upgrade. 2.5 ton
 

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Yellow1098

Yellow1098

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I had a creaking noise in my steering linkage. Tracked it to the tie rod end on the drag link at the pitman arm. It was just a tad loose. Didn't cause any other issues. Replaced both the drag link and tie rod with Core 4x4 steering linkage.

Thanks Rusty! That‘s sounds exactly like what I have going on……I do hear it when turning especially turning in reverse…..Is this what you bought? Thanks again!

Also is this what you went with?

https://core4x4.com/product/st-j-jt...IAEQsfcwYVU6leUoWOw1GnaqW18FiTEEaAlEYEALw_wcB
 

Rusty PW

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Free2roam

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This what I ended up with. Drove 300 miles off road in death valley over Christmas on some pretty torturous roads. All washboard and punishing the suspension. Got on the highway and it was like it never went off road at all. Super smooth. Follow directions explicitly. I got mine close then took it to get aligned.had them red loctite the nuts just the way it was said to do. Plus they paint marked them. Nothing has moved.
Jeep Gladiator Upgrading stock steering bar and lower stock steering sway bar? Creaking! Screenshot_20250330-232600
 

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JP1979

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This is a great thread yall. Just had this problem this past weekend. had this jeep 22K miles, bought it with the a Teraflex 2.5" kit on it, which included the drag link and tie rods. The trail (only my 3rd outing in less than 12K miles with the kit on it) knocked my alignment out and the shop showed me the tie rod bushings and drag link connections are shot. Very disappointed with Teraflex as I can move every part by hand and they twist a few degrees. Called their customer support and was told "too bad."

Cant tighten anything up any further. I was thinking of upgrading to the 2.5T kit. I'm so torn on doing the Fusion or the Core. I did notice the core4x4 has 2" rods while the fusion shows as 1.75".
I also considered replacing with the MetalCloak set up as I always liked their products better. But its still a 1T like the Teraflex.

Any recommendations on which? Or why yall went with the ones you did? Any pointers when choosing?

I really don't want to have to replace this setup any time in the near future.
 

Rusty PW

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This is a great thread yall. Just had this problem this past weekend. had this jeep 22K miles, bought it with the a Teraflex 2.5" kit on it, which included the drag link and tie rods. The trail (only my 3rd outing in less than 12K miles with the kit on it) knocked my alignment out and the shop showed me the tie rod bushings and drag link connections are shot. Very disappointed with Teraflex as I can move every part by hand and they twist a few degrees. Called their customer support and was told "too bad."

Cant tighten anything up any further. I was thinking of upgrading to the 2.5T kit. I'm so torn on doing the Fusion or the Core. I did notice the core4x4 has 2" rods while the fusion shows as 1.75".
I also considered replacing with the MetalCloak set up as I always liked their products better. But its still a 1T like the Teraflex.

Any recommendations on which? Or why yall went with the ones you did? Any pointers when choosing?

I really don't want to have to replace this setup any time in the near future.
With the Core. It uses Apex tie rod ends which is easy to get, plus they are warrantied.
 

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See post #9 above.
The extra 1/4" on core is negligible.
 
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Yellow1098

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I am surprised that there is only a few companies offering an option for this they are for sure pricey! I do like the color options and the tie rods from apex
 

Rusty PW

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I am surprised that there is only a few companies offering an option for this they are for sure pricey! I do like the color options and the tie rods from apex
Which ever set up you get. Make sure they have the anti flop tie rod ends.

Another thing too. Most 2.5 ton set ups require at least 4.75 backspacing on your rims.
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