While off-roading I noticed a few issues I'd like to question

[Inca03rubi]

So heres a few things I've noticed while trailing my jeep thru the trails, mud and snow and wanted to ask what's normal and what I should look into.

1. While pushing thru a fair bit of snow in 4lo and locked on some parts of the trails I've noticed that the front and or rear sometimes both would act as if they were wrapping. I thought axle wrap was more so with a leaf sprung suspension setup so it caught me off guard.

2.1 Similar situation as number 1 but while gaining traction and turning the wheels I would see and feel the front wheels oscillate left to right kinds like death wobble where the front wheels push and pull and shake the wheel. Never experienced this so it was something I wanted to question.

3. I finally setup the suspension front and rear and my currie steering system along with a OME steering stabilizer. While driving down the road thru slight dips or uneven road I will experience bump steer. The wheel moves left or right. It's not violent but its there. No drop pitman arm, adjustable teraflex track bar that's been adjusted and centered. Not sure what else would cause it.

4. Steering wheel play, I have a light dead spot. It's small and I feel when going down the road the front will track and I can feel the slight pull left or right depending on how the front is tracking. The steering shaft will move but the pitman arm wont move in this small window of dead space. I can also remove the drag link and grab the pitman arm and feel the small movement as if maybe its lash or something in the gearbox. Also noticed that when I'm steered full lock and play with the dead space in the wheel, the pitman arm has a VERY small amount of fore/aft play. Only slightly. The gearbox does not leak and the jeep currently has 47k miles.

 

[-T.]

It kind of sounds like you have a completely normal lifted Jeep.

 

[Chris]

In regards to number 3, is your track bar attached to the frame, or does it have a drop bracket that it attaches to that is then attached to the frame? A steering stabilizer has nothing to do with bump steer at all.

 

[Inca03rubi]

In regards to number 3, is your track bar attached to the frame, or does it have a drop bracket that it attaches to that is then attached to the frame? A steering stabilizer has nothing to do with bump steer at all.

All stock locations. Frame mount down to axle bracket no drops or relocation brackets used. Also stock pitman arm.

 

[Inca03rubi]

It kind of sounds like you have a completely normal lifted Jeep.

Haha, I always hear the commonly generic "it's a jeep thing" but I've never settled for that once. I'm always looking for improvements to make on my jeeps but these were a little odd to me being I'm not 100% proficient in the 5 link suspension. All leaf sprung knowledge.

 

[jjvw]

What is happening that suggests axle wrap? There should little to no wrap on a linked suspension.

 

[jjvw]

It kind of sounds like you have a completely normal lifted Jeep.

It doesn't need to be that way.

 

[xxdabroxx]

What is happening that suggests axle wrap? There should little to no wrap on a linked suspension.

I'm guessing he's getting some kind of wheel hop.

 

[Inca03rubi]

When I was out in the woods and I lost traction in the snow going up hill I had what felt like wheel hopping. Sometimes the front would do it and other times it was the rear. And other times I'd get both to do it. I was in 4lo and locked the axles to get the most amount of dig. Even unlocked and 4hi I was getting similar symptoms.

It's a little rough, maybe even violent like i was gonna snap things under the jeep.

My control arms are tight, nee bushings all around, new ball joints. I went thru everything. I wasnt flexing the suspension much either.

 

[01TJ-Blues]

I would say that it’s a case of the front trying to pull away from the rear, or the rear trying to catch the front. In snow, one of the two may be grabbing more traction than the other thus literally trying to shorten or lengthen the wheelbase. When it reaches its limit it pulls it back quickly which may feel violent. Keep in mind you are locked and in 4 low so nothing is going to give versus some Slip if you weren’t locked. If you were on good traction the front and rear would pull more equally and you probably wouldn’t feel this.
Just a guess.

 

[89grand]

How long have you had the Jeep? Have you had it in 4wd lo before without this happening?

 

[BryantJT]

All the above issues are nearly exactly how my 2016 Ram Powerwagon behaved. I'd say you're fine.

 

[Inca03rubi]

Never really noticed it last winter or when on the trails. I've always had something clunking away underneath when I'm on rough roads or trails. Still dont know what is making contact under there. Thought it was the transfer case rocking but theres new trans and engine mounts installed and it still makes the same clunks and rattles. Aside from that, no never noticed this hopping. Probably the exhaust shaking around or bouncing on the hangers and tapping the underside. Haha

I would say that it’s a case of the front trying to pull away from the rear, or the rear trying to catch the front. In snow, one of the two may be grabbing more traction than the other thus literally trying to shorten or lengthen the wheelbase. When it reaches its limit it pulls it back quickly which may feel violent. Keep in mind you are locked and in 4 low so nothing is going to give versus some Slip if you weren’t locked. If you were on good traction the front and rear would pull more equally and you probably wouldn’t feel this.
Just a guess.

This makes sense on paper, very well might be the issues I seeing...

 

[Southtowns27]

Take a picture of the steering and track bar from the front of the Jeep

 

[Inca03rubi]

I'm away from the jeep but I can assure you the extensive time spent on setting up the front end, I can 100% assure you I'm utilizing stock mounting locations with stock pitman and the adjustable teraflex track bar was set to center the axle at ride height and the currie steering system was set with 3/16 toe in on my 33's and the steering is centered in the dead space with the steering wheel perfect. I'm overly ocd about setting things up.

 

[xxdabroxx]

You shouldn't be getting bump steer if you're utilizing stock locations for everything. Any chance the PO put a drop pitman on it? I used to get the bump steer you describe before replacing the drop pitman the PO of my jeep had installed with the pro comp lift.

 

[Inca03rubi]

All stock, pitman arm is oem. Even bought a new oem replacements just to remove this from the equation.

 

[wigsajumper]

#3 & #4 Did you check the U-Joints of the steering shafts either the upper or lower. If I recall correctly there are about 4 different U-Joints in that assembly. I had to replace the upper shaft because one of the U-Joints was almost completely wore out.

 

[Inca03rubi]

I did check them. That plastic bearing thing is dry and theres some play with the shaft in the center brace point. That was the source of my steering tapping sound when I'd turn the steering wheel quickly from left to right. But the ujoints are perfect. Jeep is lower miles. I grabbed the steering input and moved it while jeep was running and witnessed the delay in pitman arm movement. Same when the engine was off and I moved the pitman arm and saw a delay in the steering shaft.

 

[Ct_tj]

It sounds like there might just be a little bit of play in your steering box. Could also be something in your drivetrain binding giving you that wheel hop sensation