STEERING THAT IS FORGIVING

A challenge, as your o -road daringness increases, is how to keep your steering safe.

- Christian Sturtz

Factory steering is designed to safely get your vehicle down the road or on modest trails with original sized tires. Nothing can put a halt to your family outing faster than catching your steering on a rock and bending it. Bent steering can render your vehicle immobile and lead to a lengthy trail repair. Don’t spend your time on the trail working on your rig; instead, spend it driving your rig.

RPM Steering has a solution for many Jeep factory applications as well as axle swap applications. RPM can help with all custom applications. Most RPM Steering center links are constructed from 1.5 or 2 7075 T6 aluminum, which is known for being a strong, durable alloy that will bend and return to its original shape; it’s forgiving. RPM Steering kits are featured with heavy-duty tie rod ends, or rod ends, depending on application. RPM Steering o ers a limited lifetime warranty on its center links. (Figure 1)

We are going to review the installation of a TJ/LJ aluminum steering kit by RPM Steering. Some highlights and benefits of this kit are 1.5 solid 7075 T6 aluminum center link construction; hex ends that aid in adjustment, and a 7/8 Chromoly o set rod ends. RPM also o ers clamp style steering shock or ram assist mounts. If your vehicle is equipped with a sway bar, the axle mounts will have to be replaced or modified for clearance. Check out the article titled “Tons Too Much” in Issue 26, where we installed Metal Cloak extended sway bar link mounts. The Metal Cloak extended sway bar links worked in this install with little trimming. The Jeep we are working on has a modified crossover style steering on it, so the disassembly will be almost identical to a stock-y type steering set up. (Figure 2)