Something Wacky with Steering/Suspension

Cherokeekid88

Cherokeekid88

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2007
Location
High Point, NC
The last couple of weeks, I have noticed something with my Jeep. I have noticed that whenever I am driving, I feel that I have to keep the wheel going left to right to keep it going straight (I know this could be as simple as an Alignment, but might have something to do with whats below) Also, when I have to hit the brakes kinda hard....my jeep goes left to right.

Also, I have noticed whenever I hit a bump in the road (especially on the left side) it feels loose and have noticed that there is almost a catch in my steering wheel in certain spots when I turn it and I can hear it pop a bit....not the front end...but from the steering wheel.

Im gonna try and make some time to look the front end over this weekend....just would like to tips on what you guys think it could be...

heres specs:
IRO long arm kit (installed 2012)
Upper control arm bushing (right side installed Feb. 2013)
All TRE's (Installed March 2013)
Installed Bilstein 5100's (May of 2013)
Sway bar is NOT connected atm.

Wouldn't think the lower control arm bushing in the IRO lower link would already need replacing, but could be.... what ya think?
 
Have you checked out the steering shaft and to see if you have substantial play in the box?
 
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Steering box, ball joints, track bar, etc. won't know until you start checking parts.
 
Just for the heck of it check temperature of brake rotors. If left is sticking it will pull left and then when braking left is fading from heat, right works better and pulls right
 
my fear is the box.....which is my first guess....trac bar is only a couple years old. I know the pads need to be replaced....just have been lazy. Also Ball joints are new
 
I rarely have more than 13 in mine.
 
fordwheelinman said:
Have the same problem with my 78 f150. Track bar bushings were bad, replaced them, steering got better, but not the wandering, at least not by much. The steering box is maybe an 1/8th to 1/4 turn loose.
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Look up, something went over your head
 
stinkbomb said:
Tighten the box and check your toe, 1/8" in in the front vs rear of tire. Then report back.
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not to sounds like a total newb...but steering boxes are something I have never messed with...when you say tighten the box, you mean from the bolts on the side inside the fender right behind the bumper brackets?
 
Jody Treadway said:
No need to fear my friend. 3/16" Allen wrench and a 5/8" combo wrench and you can tighten it to spec.
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Look on top of your steering box. You'll see an aluminum cap held on by 4 bolts. Near the center of that cap you'll see a threaded rod pointing up with a jam nut around it. Insert a 3/16" Allen into the top of the threaded rod (this is how you set preload on the steering box) and hold it still. Then while holding the Allen wrench, loosen the jam nut with a 5/8" wrench about 1 turn. Now in 1/4 turn increments, turn the Allen wrench clockwise and then lock down the jam nut. Go 1/4 turn at a time and evaluate the steering feel. Don't go too much as you can wear out the steering box prematurely and also cause poor return to center of your steering wheel.
It may take a few adjustments to nail it down.

edit: Before someone says "There's a set procedure to do this correctly" Yes, there is. But unless the OP has a rotational torque wrench and pitman arm puller handy, my way is another way to do it.
 
Jody Treadway said:
edit: Before someone says "There's a set procedure to do this correctly" Yes, there is. But unless the OP has a rotational torque wrench and pitman arm puller handy, my way is another way to do it.
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I dont know the correct way, but I do know that there needs to be just a tiny amount of slack between steering sahft input and sector shaft output. Otherwise the gears will be meshed together too tightly causing that premature wear you were talking about. Just like a ring and pinion needs that small amount of backlash.
 
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