cj7 drives like crap any help ?

[mudjunkie]

i have an 83 cj7 that i just recently did a spring over on. i used a cheerokee pitman arm to correct steering and mounted shocks on the original plates but are on top of the axle instead of the bottom . the jeep now drives like crap and is all over the road .i have checked alignment and bearings and steering play but cant find cause . it has 34 x 10.50 ltb's on it and shackles are still in the front but it is so bad that if you move steering wheel your going into other lane or off of road. i did reconnect sway bar and it corners fine but on bumpy roads is almost dangerous . any help is appreciated thanks. it didnt drive great when it was stock but its really bad now !

 

[RenegadeT]

what's your caster set at?

 

[Andy J.]

Are you using a trackbar? Some will say you don't need it with leaf springs, but I could tell a big difference in the handling with and without (bottom bolt disappeared).

 

[catfishblues]

what's your caster set at?

Yup. How far did you rotate your axle to "correct" your pinion angle before you welded the spring pads on? The answer should be "none." If it's "some," that's probably your problem.

 

[Caver Dave]

Bad toe-in will also cause the erratic lane changes you describe. A general rule for toe-in is 1/16"-1/8"...

Also, what shape is your steering (box, belljoint, tie-rod ends) in? Slop in any of these components will be amplified at asphalt speeds...

 

[mudjunkie]

i did turn the axle about 10-12 degrees before welding perches . i have some shims i could install to bring it back down because thats the only thing i changed in the alignment

as for the steering box it is very tight but my steering shaft is a little sloppy but i have always had old vehicles and steering slop has never caused this much problem. i had a 89 suburban with 15" of lift and 44" boggers and it was no where near this bad

the other thing is the faster you go the better the steering gets and on the interstste at 70 mph it drives fine

thanks for all the info !

 

[ncjeepers]

i did turn the axle about 10-12 degrees before welding perches .

There's your problem. You killed your caster angle. Either rotate the housing back to a 10 degree pinion angle (stock) or cut and rotate your C's to restore your caster.