1989 FJ62. I just finished totally re-doing everythingo on the front end including new TRE's, drag link, relay rods, shocks, knuckle rebuild, etc... I took my cruiser in for an alignment at a specialized shop, got it back and there was still quite a bit of road wander. So I had the steering box rebuild back to spec and I repalced the lower U joint in the steering column while it was easy to get to. Still play. So then I started messing with the steering gear pre-load and that helped a little but there is still play.
Yesterday I crawled under the car while a buddy wiggled the steering wheel with the car running, and sure enough there is a lot of play in the drag link/ relay rod end at the pitman arm from teh steering gear.
My question is this: is that slotted end cap on the relay rod end adjustable? Can I tighten down that pre load on both relay rod ends to tigthen this up, or is my end bad? I seem to read you can do this but don't see much on how much adjustment is possible, and how tight to go.
Also- by playing with this I don't in any way compromise my alignment? This would only move my center of steering wheel over slightly if at all- right? The alignment is all in the tie rod between the front wheels right?
After I adjust the rod ends, I will need to re-adjust the steering gear pre load since I messed with it so much since the rebuild.
Yesterday I crawled under the car while a buddy wiggled the steering wheel with the car running, and sure enough there is a lot of play in the drag link/ relay rod end at the pitman arm from teh steering gear.
My question is this: is that slotted end cap on the relay rod end adjustable? Can I tighten down that pre load on both relay rod ends to tigthen this up, or is my end bad? I seem to read you can do this but don't see much on how much adjustment is possible, and how tight to go.
Also- by playing with this I don't in any way compromise my alignment? This would only move my center of steering wheel over slightly if at all- right? The alignment is all in the tie rod between the front wheels right?
After I adjust the rod ends, I will need to re-adjust the steering gear pre load since I messed with it so much since the rebuild.
Last edited:
