Converting crossover steering back to factory style steering

[Larry221]

I have crossover steering and I've developed a bad wander in the wind and wet it pulls all over the front. I cannot drive above 50 mph in side winds with out almost loosing control. In the snow it is pushing and pulling left and right. Steering wheel is not centered but drives straight on smooth roads. My tire wear is beyond excessive I have replaced the flex joints on the control arms, removed the hydro assist. I have not installed a steering stabilizer as i would like to re vert this back to a stock-ish style steering. Can I use the lower hole where the cylinder was mounted for an Adjustable track bar?

Thank you

 

[gasiorv]

It is hard to tell from the picture, but it appears that there is a bracket installed for the track bar and ram slightly inboard of where the stock track bar mounts. Possibly an Artec mount. However, the bracket and the hole for the stock track bar may still be there? It would be outbd and more in front of the spring, shown circled in red below. If that bracket is still in place you cut off that other bracket and pick up the existing track bar location (assuming the frame side is still stock). If the frame side is not stock and has been lowered, you will need to deal with that as well. Again, I really can't see the bracket or the area in question in your picture.

 

[gasiorv]

Your track bar is parallel to the drag link but pretty short which could be causing some issues. But if it "developed" an issue and at one time did not have issues, can't you just find out what is now worn to be causing you issues.

 

[Larry221]

It is hard to tell from the picture, but it appears that there is a bracket installed for the track bar and ram slightly inboard of where the stock track bar mounts. Possibly an Artec mount. However, the bracket and the hole for the stock track bar may still be there? It would be outbd and more in front of the spring, shown circled in red below. If that bracket is still in place you cut off that other bracket and pick up the existing track bar location (assuming the frame side is still stock). If the frame side is not stock and has been lowered, you will need to deal with that as well. Again, I really can't see the bracket or the area in question in your picture.

View attachment 405536

Very similar, I looked to see if it was the Artec and it isnt. The "steering cyl" bolt hole in speculation is inline with the current mounting position of the track bar.

 

[Larry221]

Your track bar is parallel to the drag link but pretty short which could be causing some issues. But if it "developed" an issue and at one time did not have issues, can't you just find out what is now worn to be causing you issues.

I've always had bump steer, the hydro masked the issues. With the current tie rod there is hardly any adjustablily for toe in, like a thread on each TRE!

EDIT: Yes, the frame side has the typical drop, it looks to be slightly ahead of where the factory mount was. Thanks

 

[gasiorv]

I wouldn't try to shorten an adjustable track bar to meet that existing hole (don't think it would even thread in that much).

I would try to modify that existing bracket to get the track bar hole (and stabilizer mount) back in the OEM location. If you can't modify that one I would cut it off and install one from Barnes or similar that would put it back on OEM location. .

 

[97' 4 Popper]

It is unrelated to your issue but your sway bar links appear to be too short and not nearly adjusted far out enough. The sway bar itself I believe is supposed to be roughly parallel with the ground.

 

[Larry221]

It is unrelated to your issue but your sway bar links appear to be too short and not nearly adjusted far out enough. The sway bar itself I believe is supposed to be roughly parallel with the ground.

It was on a jack, it does that. Normal ?

 

[jjvw]

It was on a jack, it does that. Normal ?

If that is full shock extension, then the links are too short causing the link and bar to be pulled tight. There is a risk of the sway bar inverting leading to a lot of damage.

 

[Gollywomper]

Did this rig drive well at one time?
When was the toe specs checked last?
My toe setting was way off at one time, every time I hit a painted street marking the steering wheel pulled to the side. Toe setting can cause some very odd issues. Easy to check.

 

[Blackjack]

Good ole ORO Uturn. Your current track bar situation is not helping things. ORO prefers you use either a Rubicon Express or Full Traction track bar that uses a frame side drop bracket.

 

[06TJ35's]

If I were you I’ll be getting Currie/Rock jock currectlync and either JKS or Rockjock front track bar that uses OEM mounting locations.
So that track bar bracket you have has to go.

 

[Larry221]

Did this rig drive well at one time?
When was the toe specs checked last?
My toe setting was way off at one time, every time I hit a painted street marking the steering wheel pulled to the side. Toe setting can cause some very odd issues. Easy to check.

This is exactly what is happening, yes it was driving great for months. I removed the hydro assist and I’ve since had extreme wander and bump steer with a dead spot in the steering.

 

[Larry221]

I’ve added some pictures, let me know what you think.

 

[Blackjack]

The hydro assist was masking something. Do a dry steering test and I bet something is going to be loose.