Is this dropped pitman arm causing my bump steer?

[matt4282]

I recently bought a tj and it has some bad bump steer. it has a 4 inch lift on 33" and a drop pitman arm. I'm wondering if the drop pitman are is throwing my steering geometry off? I think there previous owner tried to correct it with a steering stabilizer.

 

[ranger101]

I would swap that drop pitman arm for a factory one.

 

[Blackjack]

If the track bar is in the stock location a drop pitman will induce bump steer.

 

[Chris]

X2 to what @Blackjack said.

If it the track bar is in the stock location and you have a dropped pitman arm, you'll need to get rid of it for a stock one.

 

[eastbloc]

x3

Previous owner had one installed as well. I nearly flew off the bridge when I hit a bump on the way home.

Swapped for original and forgot what bump steer was.

 

[Goatman]

I'm only on a phone, but the track bar looks to have gotten a "custom" bend to it in addition to the drop pitman. I would replace both asap. And go through all the steering rod ends for any slop too.

 

[matt4282]

Thanks that will be next on the project list. Here is a better view of the pitman arm.

 

[jjvw]

Based on the view of the track bar mount in the background, the dropped pitman arm is causing bump steer.

Are you catching on that the two relate to each other?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks that will be next on the project list. Here is a better view of the pitman arm.

View attachment 121805

Yep that dropped Pitman arm should have never been installed as it is causing bump steer, replace it with the OE style non-dropped Pitman arm.

 

[matt4282]

After the new pitman arm is installed what else will have to be done? Just have an alignment done?

 

[jjvw]

After the new pitman arm is installed what else will have to be done? Just have an alignment done?

Maybe a small alignment. The drag link will definitely need to be adjusted. This is all tape measure stuff that you can do.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

After the new pitman arm is installed what else will have to be done? Just have an alignment done?

The new Pitman arm will just require you slightly adjust the length of the drag link to recenter the steering wheel. This is easily done, there's a 5" adjustment link on the drag link that is there for that purpose, I circled it in read for you. Just loosen the two nuts holding it and rotate it just a tad until the steering wheel is centered. Take short test-drives up & down your street between adjustments until the steering wheel is straight then securely retighten the nuts. There's no need to tighten them for the short test drives up/down your street between adjustments.

 

[matt4282]

Thanks that sounds easy enough. That diagram is really helpful.

 

[04Rubi]

Found this post as I have the same issue, I believe. 4" lift 33" tires, track bar is mounted in stock location and it does have a dropped pitman. And bump steer sucks. Could I install a dropped track bar mount and achieve the same thing? Or does the dropped pitman need to go? thanks!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Found this post as I have the same issue, I believe. 4" lift 33" tires, track bar is mounted in stock location and it does have a dropped pitman. And bump steer sucks. Could I install a dropped track bar mount and achieve the same thing? Or does the dropped pitman need to go? thanks!

Replacing the Pitman arm with the factory Pitman arm is the way to go, don't install a dropped track bar mounting bracket.

 

[04Rubi]

I just ordered a factory pitman. Thanks

 

[AndyG]

X2 to what @Blackjack said.

If it the track bar is in the stock location and you have a dropped pitman arm, you'll need to get rid of it for a stock one.

That is a rough country track bar it appears, put in moog bushings and lose the dropped pitman arm, do a dry steering test and see if anything moves when it changes direction without moving what it's attached to, any pop, jump or slop in any connections.