XJ steering problem...

[mujaman]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Sorry XJ

I have a 97 XJ with a 3" lift from Rusty's and 30" BFG A/T's. Lately my steering has just been getting worse and worse. I have a ton of play in the steering wheel, and the jeep just has an overall "squirrely" feel on the road. What can I do to fix this? Is it just some sort of steering linkage that needs to be tightened... or are there some components that need replace? Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks - Jeremiah

 

[TwistedCU]

Re: Daystar Bushings

You probably need an aftermarket steering stabilizer. The stock one wasn't designed for 30" tires.

That will definately help, but you may also need to replace worn bushings and ball joints in your front end/steering.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

RE: I pulled the trigger on antsinmypants

Have somebody crank the steering wheel back and forth while you inspect:
1) All tierod ends
2) Front track bar, upper and lower mounts

Do you have any bumpsteer, a feeling of the steering wheel being forced to the side when the jeep hits a bump?

 

[mujaman]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: 2006 FJ - It

Yes I definitely have a good bit of bump steer. I also sometimes get the "death wobble" if I hit an uneven bump going anything ovver about 50 mph.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Did you install a trackbar drop bracket on the front axle? If so, take it off and throw that piece of crap as far as you can. Then redrill the hole in the lower mount about .5" toward the drivers side, or however much it takes to center the axle. This will bring the trackbar and draglink close to parallel and end the bumpsteer.

Sounds like you've got some worn steering components or a worn trackbar that's causing both your squirrelly steering and your death wobble.

 

[IcyFridge]

Hmmm. My trackbar bracket is on, but a lot of bump steer for me...

 

[TwistedCU]

RE: question about lifts

No other way to slice it, those brackets are for crap.

Mujaman, did you get an alignment aftre the lift?

 

[mujaman]

Yes I did get an alignment done. The place who installed the lift had some sort of a problem getting it to hold an alignment though... so I had to take it to a Jeep dealership to get it done. I'll check on that tracbar bracket. I don't think that is the problem though because it handled fine for about a year after getting the lift. It has only recently started having problems... so that seems to me like it would indicate that some components have worn out. I'll start by replacing the bushings and putting a heavier duty OME steering stabilizer up front. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Sure, something is worn out to cause most of the steering slop. But the bracket should be the sole culprit for the bumpsteer.

Makes no sense whatsoever, to put a drop bracket on the axle when the frame moves further away from the axles. Every other kit uses brackets that rise from the axle, to keep the geometry as close to stock and parallel as possible.

 

[mujaman]

So it is only Rusty's kit that uses the bad bracket?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

No, several kits come with a lower drop bracket.

 

[IcyFridge]

RE: rear shock/spring bound

Mine's a BDS bracket. So what to do?