Questions? Call 480-470-5500 to talk to a human!

Questions? Call 480-470-5500 to talk to a human!

KIT115 - Jeep Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT - 2.5 Ton ProLock Tie Rod & Drag Link Assembly - Steel

Your Differential Model (Pick One) : Dana 30 / Dana 44 Narrow Axle - 58 1/2" Wide (See Note Below) Typically on: Non-Rubicon (Sport/Sahara)
Do You Need A Flip Kit? (Pick One): No - Typically suggested for lifts of 4.5 inches or less
Dana30 kits are out of stock until late November

This is a complete replacement steering kit for your 2018-2026 Jeep Wrangler JL or 2019-2026 Gladiator JT. It includes the tie rod (DOM steel) which is also the adjusting sleeve, and left & right forged steel tie rod ends, the drag link (DOM steel) which is also the adjusting sleeve, and left & right forged steel drag link ends. Plus our NEW ProLock Washers.

Depending on the options you choose above, it can be sent as an under knuckle mount (standard) or over knuckle mount (flip kit). All Flip Kits include the taper sleeve!!

Note: taper sleeves require the knuckle drag link mount to be drilled through with a straight 7/8" drill bit.

It does not include the steering stabilizer bracket which you will need to choose in the options above based on the steering stabilizer you use.

NOTE 1 - Axle Width - Do You Have a Dana 44 narrow axle or wide axle ??? Unfortunately, this can be confusing. NARROW axle Dana 44s are unusual, but the tie rod measures 57 1/2" to 58 1/2" ball-stud center to ball-stud center. The standard WIDE axle Dana 44 tie rod measures 60 1/2" to 61 1/2" ball-stud center to ball-stud center. If your Jeep has a narrow axle Dana 44, PLEASE select the Dana 30, which has the correct length tie rod.  

FITMENT: This steering system fits stock Dana 30/44 axles. If your jeep has been upgraded to a Dana 60 axle, we have modifications that can work with that as well, just contact us to order.

Please note: Steel connecting rods are not designed for rock crawling. If you hit them heavily on a rock, they will likely bend and are therefore NOT WARRANTIED against impact damage. If you intend to rock crawl, please consider our aluminum connecting rod options. 

Boot Replacements:

XP153 - DL112K/DL112KF
XP154 - TR181K/TR182K
XP109 - DL111K

Jam nut wrenches:
KIT521 - 2x WR112 41mm/46mm

Replacement set screws:
Tie Rod/Drag Link - XP172

The Special Sauce:

HOUSING
  • SAE 1045 Solid Steel Forged Housing: This is unequivocally the best carbon alloy steel for this application.
  • CNC Machined Housing: Make our parts and bearings dimensionally perfect, eliminating any die wear issues.
BALL STUDS
  • SAE 4140 hot forged Chromoly Ball Studs: For strongest possible metallurgy.
  • Induction Heat Treated Ball Studs: Provides a very precise heat treatment to the exact depth and location we want it.
  • Rolled Threads: Are made by pressing the shape of the threads into the ball stud instead of cutting. This strengthens the threads instead of weakening them and allows for easy movement of hardware. This ain't no Ikea furniture!
  • Step Threads : Allows for very easy movement of hardware on install and superior holding when torqued. (Installer Choice).
BEARING DESIGN
  • Rugged Metal to Metal Bearing.
BOOTS
  • CR Rubber Boots: The most durable material for undercar applications. Resistant to deterioration from road level ozone, oil/gas/engine fluids and extreme heat or cold
  • DuroBoot - The Ultimate Off-Road and 4x4 Boot for Extreme-Duty Steering and Suspension. Made from solid rubber, DuroBoot replaces traditional flimsy dust covers / boots with a rugged solution built for extreme conditions while still allowing full articulation.
FINISH
  • E-Coating: Extremely durable electrochemical finishing process
HARDWARE
  • Grade 8 - Class 10.9 Hardware: Superior tensile strength.
  • Castle Nut: Industry standard where high vibration loads occur.
ADJUSTING RODS
  • 1.75" DOM SAE 1020 Tube: Because some people prefer steel and there are as many good reasons for it as there are for aluminum.
LUBRICATION
  • Pre-threaded Zerk Housing: If you have ever installed a MOOG Ball Joint without a pre-threaded zerk fitting you will understand what a simple but great feature this is. Another installer fav.
  • Greaseable: Because it should be.
  • Pre-Greased: Just in case you forget, we have you covered.
  • Gull Winged Grease Grooves : Allows for improved lubrication disbursement around the ball stud.
  • Zerk Fittings : Included for every application.
SPECIAL FEATURES
  • ProLock Washers™ – An APEX Exclusive
  • Our patent-pending ProLock Link Connect System™ is engineered to eliminate one of the most common steering system failures: unwanted tie rod rotation and loosening jam nuts.
  • At the heart of the system is our precision-machined keyway washer, which mechanically locks your tie rod and drag link ends to the adjusting sleeve — preventing connecting rod rotation under load.
  • We’ve paired this with a purpose-built jam nut featuring integrated set screws, designed to positively lock the assembly in place and eliminate the common issue of jam nut loosening over time.
  • Minimum Engagement Mark on Drag Link End Threads: If this mark in the thread of the drag link is showing it means you are beyond the safe engagement of threads into the adjusting sleeve. You may be lifted too high and need to switch to a flip kit or you may need to equal out the adjusting sleeve between the two ends.
  • Tie Rod Ends & RH Drag Link End - Flopper Stoppers Built In: Unlike the poly hockey pucks that most brands use, our heavy duty "Flopper Stoppers" are built into the tie rod end and drag link end bearings, giving you an industry leading 27 degrees of stud swing left and right and only 2 degrees of stud swing forward and aft, keeping your tie rod and drag link from rotating and flopping. The competitor hockey puck style systems also call for the removal of the tie rod end boot, which is there to keep the dirt out and the grease in.
  • Our adjusting sleeves are made in the USA

Where It Fits:

Vehicle Position: Front
Quantity per Vehicle: 1 Kit

What It Fits:

Jeep Wrangler JL (2018-2026) 4WD
Jeep Gladiator JT (2019-2026) 4WD

  • 5 stars: 17 (94%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 1 (6%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
R
RICK H. (Arcata, US)
Good

This are great parts and they fit.

@
@Cambodian_cowboy562 (Paramount, US)
Awesome

Amazing parts would definitely buy for all my jeeps!

J
Joshua R. (Hillsboro, US)
SOLID!

Thick, heavy duty, and seriously solid! This kit did everything I needed for my front end / steering concerns, and more. Install was a breeze as every part fit perfectly little effort and only slight adjustment. A quick alignment after and my JL was ready to hit the trails once more.

I will recommend APEX from now on. Kudos on an amazing kit!

S
Stephanie S. (Murfreesboro, US)
Great fit and feel

What a great look and feel of my steering. The change is amazing over stock

The customer service was above and beyond

T
T.B. (Kaukauna, US)
Great product backed by incredible support

Got the steering kit all installed with no problems and love how beefy it feels. I had a question about how much threaded section was sticking out of the tie rod so I emailed on a Friday night not expecting a reply until Monday. 5 or 6 emails and a phone call that night yet and a slightly longer mid section was on its way just to be safe. I'll be coming here first when needing parts for my Jeep, already bought and installed their ball joints as well.

R
Rudy A.J. (Torrance, US)
Magic steering

I got to say install was pretty straight forward and was made a lot easier as the apex staff was responsive on phone and Instagram. *I called on Saturday did not know it was their day off and the lady still guided me through my troubles lol sorry* , had a little bit confusion w steering stabilizer sand which bracket since it came w no instructions but it’s pretty much common sense.

But anyways I waited about a month to do a review to test product on road and off road. And all I got to say is it’s perfect. Jeep drives smoother than butter steering is tight but not stiff. On freeway high speeds jeep doesn’t feel wobbly anymore, off road I have banged it up a little already but have zero concern of it snapping on me.

100% recommend

S
Steven F.
Solid product

Chris and Joe were awesome to talk to at the GSMJI and were very knowledgeable about their product. Install was simple and is way more solid than the stock products that come on Jeep’s. Definitely recommend if you plan on trail riding especially if you are running bigger tires!

E
EDWARD R. (Temecula, US)
Great steering system.

I just installed the Apex steering and I immediately headed to the mountains to test it out. I’m totally impressed with the way my Jeep handled on the trail. I’m so glad I purchased the system. Thank you Apex!!

M
Mitchell H. (Cleveland, US)
Amazing

I purchased the tie rod and drag link kit along with upper and lower ball joints. What a difference it made in the way my gladiator handles! The components are super beefy and so much better that the OEM stuff. I highly recommend!

P
Paulo D. (Houston, US)
Amazing

Best product

B
Britt S. (Baton Rouge, US)
Beefy

Everything is well built. Just sent Everything off to powder coat!

T
Tommy E. (Crowley, US)
Fixed the dreaded death wobble

This kit was masterfully put together. The packaging was thought out and packed properly. Assembly was very easy and installation was simple. Steering was returned to factory feel but with 37’s.

T
Timothy E. (Sacramento, US)

The steering system with the flip kit is awesome. Definitely a serious upgrade from the factory steering.

K
Kevin V. (Buffalo, US)
Great product

Love the lock and death wobble is gone

P
Pablo Q. (Los Angeles, US)

I am excited to hit the trails with the new aluminum tie rod and drag links kit …

L
Leon M. (Houston, US)
Solid Kit

Such an easy install for such a big difference in handling. This is the way to go!

J
Jessie M. (Lake Mary, US)

My drag link isn’t short enough. Turned all the way in and I can turn in anymore.

C
Chris G. (Cleveland Heights, US)
Gladiator Rubicon Steering

Went with the steel over aluminum version for the harsh NEO winters. This is a dual purpose truck seeing many on-road miles. I never drove the truck with stock wheels and tires, so can’t compare to bone stock. I’ve owned the truck since new, it has had 37’s the entire time. These new parts have completely changed how the truck handles, very impressed so far. I’ve owned other brands parts on past wranglers, run 37’s on those as well, and those never felt this stable.

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