TJ steering

ponykilr

ponykilr

Old Crow
Joined
Apr 26, 2021
Location
Lowgap
My TJ has a slight wobble you can feel when in a left curve. It seems like when the left front is unloaded a bit, it is allowing a worn component to show itself. I cannot seem to feel any looseness when I check by hand and the ball joints seem ok as well. I am thinking about just replacing the steering links anyway as they have 180k on them.

The ZJ tie rod is a heavy duty upgrade. Is there an equivalent drag link?

By eye, it looks like the toe is negative and if I remember that is the factory spec. Is it best spec or would pos toe be better with 33s?
 
ponykilr said:
My TJ has a slight wobble you can feel when in a left curve. It seems like when the left front is unloaded a bit, it is allowing a worn component to show itself. I cannot seem to feel any looseness when I check by hand and the ball joints seem ok as well. I am thinking about just replacing the steering links anyway as they have 180k on them.

The ZJ tie rod is a heavy duty upgrade. Is there an equivalent drag link?

By eye, it looks like the toe is negative and if I remember that is the factory spec. Is it best spec or would pos toe be better with 33s?
Click to expand...
I run 1/8" toe in on a 33 measured at the outside of the tires on TJs with a mild lift. This requires straight edges, bungees and a tape measure. Never had an issue doing it like this. Make sure your tire balance is good, address any worn parts and tighten the dog poo out of your lower track bar end.
 
willness33 said:
I run 1/8" toe in on a 33 measured at the outside of the tires on TJs with a mild lift. This requires straight edges, bungees and a tape measure. Never had an issue doing it like this. Make sure your tire balance is good, address any worn parts and tighten the dog poo out of your lower track bar end.
Click to expand...

Jody Treadway said:
Check for a binding ujoint on an axle shaft. Without lockouts, it'll manifest itself in turns.
This is assuming the alignment and steering parts are beuno.
Click to expand...
OK I finally had time to check it out a little more. The toe was neg so I adjusted to about +1/8. The caster is maxed pos.

I had Angie come out and wiggle the steering wheel and discovered the upper heim on the track bar has some wiggle, enough to see. All the rest of the steering seems tight so I guess a track bar is the answer.
 
I used a ratchet strap to pull between the axle and frame in parallel with the track bar to test if the little wobble is the bar. It is.

Ordered a new one and new hardware.
 
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