CJ Steering

49erRider

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 20, 2005
Location
Indian Land
Alright well my uncle asked me to take a look at his CJ for him.

They are complaining of bumpsteer and after driving it I think it's just that they are not used to running a lifted Jeep because I didn't notice much of it.

Here is a picture of the steering angles which to me looks pretty good. It's a 76 CJ-5 with a 2 or 3" body lift. With the lift I don't think the geometry looks that far off.

ai130.photobucket.com_albums_p252_49erRider_004d3403.jpg


I've read about doing the tie rod flip, also a drop pitman arm but to me it doesn't look bad enough to justify doing either of those as it would "over-compensate" for the problem. Should I tell them to just suck it up and get used to it? The other thing I want to look at is the driveline angle and see if I need to shim the front leaves. I think I read a front CJ should be about 4 degrees. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks
 
I wouldn't think a body lift would change things like that. From what ive read the caster angle should be 4 degrees I had A problem with bump steer on my cj and fixed it with some shims on the front springs
 
Everyone is correct that the body lift will not affect the steering ( providing the steering shaft slip was not siezed and in a major bind which could casue some affect I would think) from my old CJ5 days, there was some getting use to the short and norrow wheel base of them. I would check all the TRE ends and steering box first.
 
I had a '76 CJ-5 stock height that had the same problem. Found the steering box loose and all the spring bushing were worn out.
 
What they said and also check tie rod ends and wheel bearings
 
It looks like the spring pack is pretty thick. Bad shocks and/or no sway bar make them less responsive.
 
Would have to drive it to feel it out, but my first thought was the factory steering U/slip joint @ the steering box. Also factory steering shaft has the plastic crush pins in the slip shaft, that are supposed to be melted out, when doing a body lift. Even my DD replacement shaft, recently seized up. Pulled it out & relubed it, before I was told to use "Dry Lube". Until next time!!
 
What kind of shackles aare on it? Are they longer than stock. Long shackles on the front like that make you have less caster which will cause the steering to feel lighter and not wanna track straight. Also how wide are the wheels? Wide negative offset wheels will jerk the steering wheel out of your hand in a jeep like that.
 
Ditto on steering shaft being the issues. check out Quadratec for a good place to find parts.
 
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