The parts
- Pitman arm
- Splined to the box's sector shaft. It turns the box's rotation into a push-pull.
- Drag link
- Runs from the pitman arm to a knuckle or the tie rod. Its sleeve is usually used to center the steering wheel.
- Tie rod
- Ties the two knuckles together and sets toe.
- Steering damper
- A shock absorber on the linkage that calms kickback. It doesn't fix worn parts.
Inverted-T
The tie rod is one solid piece from knuckle to knuckle, so it holds toe. The drag link pushing on the tie rod can roll it a little, which can feel like a dead spot or cause bump steer.
Inverted-Y (Haltenberger)
No tie rod roll, and toe is easy to adjust. Toe changes as the axle moves up and down, which you notice more when the Jeep is lifted.
Crossover
Because the drag link connects straight to a knuckle, a crossover layout avoids tie rod roll and feels direct. It's a common aftermarket choice on built axles. Dodge Off Road describes its crossover kit for 1994-2012 Rams in the same terms: the drag link connects directly to the knuckle, the knuckles and pitman arm get drilled, and you accept some bump steer.
High-steer
High-steer arms bolt to the top of the knuckle so the tie rod and drag link ride above the springs and away from rocks. This often goes with a crossover. Because the linkage now sits higher, the pitman arm drop and the drag link angle (and the track bar angle, if the axle has one) need to be planned together.
Bump steer basics
- Bump steer is the wheel steering itself as the axle moves up and down. One common cause is when the drag link and the track bar (or spring) move the axle through different arcs.
- Keeping the tie rod close to parallel with the axle helps. So does keeping the drag link and track bar at similar angles where the design uses a track bar.
- Lifts make all of these angles steeper. Choose a pitman arm and linkage designed for your height, then check the steering through full travel.
Last reviewed 2026-10-19. General information only: verify with your service information and parts maker.