Bump Steer

[prariepunk]

I recently (May 2010) installed a 4" Skyjacker lift on my Jeep then a Procomp adjustable front trac bar... My problem is that whenever my suspension compresses or extends my steering is affected accordingly (left when compressed & right when extended)... I've been racking my brain trying to fix this but don't know where to begin... so here I am... HELP!

 

[TLCJ5]

Your drag link & tie rod should be as close to parallel & level as posible...if not the suspension movement affects the draglink position. A drop Pitman arm is the standard fix.

 

[prariepunk]

got the drop pitman arm & the adjustable trac bar... but it still wants to wander when hitting bumps

should I invest in a drag link too?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Can you post a pic of your steering linkage and trackbar from the front?

I would remove the drop pitman and put the stock one back on, chances are it will bring your trackbar and draglink back to parallel and remove bumpsteer. Often times a drop pitman arm isn't necessary when an adjustable trackbar is used.

 

[prariepunk]

here you go

 

[prariepunk]

here you go... It's a li'l muddy but this should show you everything

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Yep, trackbar is at a steeper angle than the draglink. Reinstalling a stock pitman arm should bring the top end of the draglink up and bring everything parallel again.

 

[prariepunk]

hahaha... crap I had to cut my stock pitman arm off

 

[Ggg]

I agree with BH the track bar and drag link need to be as close to parallel as possible. Looks like you need to buy a new pitman arm. What TLCJ5 said holds true for a CJ steering, but not a setup with a track bar.

 

[wrangler76]

I wonder why the TJs went to an inverted Y steering setup instead of the inverted T... Also if it were my jeep I'd build a bracket to reduce the track bar angle instead of trying to increase the drag link angle to make them parallel.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I wonder why the TJs went to an inverted Y steering setup instead of the inverted T...

They did all sorts of goofy stuff when they designed the TJ, like using a bellcrank on the transfer case linkage that is attached to both the drivetrain and the tub.

Really no good spot to build a bracket to modify the location of the trackbar. The frame end bracket is cast, and the axle end is below the centerline of the axle and the stabilizer prevents it from moving upward.