Loose steering

[Rubicon88]

Wow thanks, I'll have to go through and do that. I did a dry steering test already, but I had my helper jerk the wheel fast so I'll have to do it again and make sure to check everything. My axle side track bar mount had a slight amount of play, but that was the only thing I noticed was bad the first time. TRE's and drag link seemed good, but I'll check everything again.

I also know my u-joints are bad (passenger side especially) which I plan on replacing with spicer 5-760x's soon (have them already) and possibly ball joints but I am not sure if mine are okay so might not bother yet.

I have a jks ogs126 track bar sitting in my garage for when I install my lift (waiting on wheels/tires for now), but since I am currently sitting at 1" I was not sure if I would have clearance problems with my dana 30 installing it before everything else. If I wouldn't, I might try to install it and see if it helps. It says its good down to 1" lift, but I have heard lots of people saying they have problems with adjustable track bars under 2" of lift

Do the dry steering test on hard ground. You want resistance.


That said if you notice your track bar walking that isn't good.

Bad u joints...if in really piss poor shape can mess with your steering too. They don't transition from one angle to the other smoothly.
On these sealed locked hub vehicles the u joints are always turning with the tire and usually don't impact steering the way they can steering a vehicle with manual hubs.
The possibility does still exist though.

Good luck...You'll get it figured out.

 

[Cheetokps]

Do the dry steering test on hard ground. You want resistance.


That said if you notice your track bar walking that isn't good.

Bad u joints...if in really piss poor shape can mess with your steering too. They don't transition from one angle to the other smoothly.
On these sealed locked hub vehicles the u joints are always turning with the tire and usually don't impact steering the way they can steering a vehicle with manual hubs.
The possibility does still exist though.

Good luck...You'll get it figured out.

Thanks for the help, I think I'll swap the jks trackbar in and worst case is it rubs a little, but I probably won't be doing any hard wheeling before I install my whole lift anyway. As well as ujoints but I don't expect them do do much for steering. If that doesn't help I'll start looking at other stuff

 

[AndyG]

My steering also feels like shit because the PO installed a 4" lift & didn't install the right arms, so I'm guessing my caster is off. I still need to install my adjustable CAs on the front, hopefully it'll get better after that. Dunno if that applies to you though.

Dont forget the caster bolt kits, cheap and do Zero harm.

 

[Cheetokps]

Dont forget the caster bolt kits, cheap and do Zero harm.

Do they do much? I thought about getting them since they were an option on my zone lift but decided against it. Eventually I'll get all adjustable arms but I'll wait until I need them

 

[mrblaine]

If your steering components are good you can let go of the wheel and it will track down the road properly. (Obviously if properly aligned)

You wouldn't be the first helper I've fired over test driving with hands off the wheel. Telling anyone that means you have zero understanding of cross caster,.

 

[AndyG]

Do they do much? I thought about getting them since they were an option on my zone lift but decided against it. Eventually I'll get all adjustable arms but I'll wait until I need them

Best answer is they add some, maybe 1.5 degrees , but enough to matter. Blaine’s opinion wouls be good, I just know a little about a few things, he knows a lot about a lot.

 

[Rubicon88]

You wouldn't be the first helper I've fired over test driving with hands off the wheel. Telling anyone that means you have zero understanding of cross caster,.

LOL...
No worries man. You couldn't work for me either because I don't have the time to explain simple comprehension skills like recognizing a figure of speech.
Sounds like we're golden

 

[qslim]

Dont forget the caster bolt kits, cheap and do Zero harm.

What's a caster bolt kit? I thought caster was adjusted on these with the upper adjustable CAs...

 

[SvtLdr]

What's a caster bolt kit? I thought caster was adjusted on these with the upper adjustable CAs...

The stock control arms are all fixed length so there was no adjustment in the uppers. The early TJs had these on the lower control arms from the factory (axle side). Not sure about the later TJs?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IYB0SE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[mrblaine]

The stock control arms are all fixed length so there was no adjustment in the uppers. The early TJs had these on the lower control arms from the factory (axle side). Not sure about the later TJs?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IYB0SE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

All TJ front axles regardless of trim level or year have the caster slots and cam horseshoes.

 

[mrblaine]

LOL...
No worries man. You couldn't work for me either because I don't have the time to explain simple comprehension skills like recognizing a figure of speech.
Sounds like we're golden

A figure of speech is hard to decipher without qualifiers. Something as simple as "not that you should" would have been sufficient. I have to explain to them that while cross caster is very consistent, road crown that causes it to exist is not consistent and checking for a pull to one side with the hands off the wheel test is bogus and stop doing it since you don't know what the crown is. Now we're golden.

 

[AndyG]

What's a caster bolt kit? I thought caster was adjusted on these with the upper adjustable CAs...

It is sold at auto parts stores and it replaces your lower front control arm bolts and they are eccentric bolts and washers...pretty clever.

 

[mrblaine]

It is sold at auto parts stores and it replaces your lower front control arm bolts and they are eccentric bolts and washers...pretty clever.

The bolts are not eccentric, they are round with hex heads.

 

[AndyG]

The bolts are not eccentric, they are round with hex heads.

Correct, the concept is eccentric placement through the washer to be able to rotate the differential.

When girls wrote you love letters did you correct them and send them back?

We love you Blaine, glad you are on here.

 

[mrblaine]

When girls wrote you love letters did you correct them and send them back?

Did you just assume gender?

 

[qslim]

It is sold at auto parts stores and it replaces your lower front control arm bolts and they are eccentric bolts and washers...pretty clever.

Still don't get it. I'm removing the existing eccentric bolts, installing adjustable control arms, & using JJ washers on the lower front mounts. Sounds like the caster kit is the same as the factory bolts?

 

[AndyG]

Still don't get it. I'm removing the existing eccentric bolts, installing adjustable control arms, & using JJ washers on the lower front mounts. Sounds like the caster kit is the same as the factory bolts?

Well if you have the kit in and don’t have enough caster they’re not the solution and it sounds like someone has already put a kit in.

 

[Roadrash74]

Did you just assume gender?

While your actual birth gender is unknown, you're handle, mrblane, shows that you identify as a male. While you may or may not be interested in women, by simply identifying as a male would substantially increase the odds that "girls" would send you a love letter....even if your interest would not be mutual. Regardless of how you choose to identify, we fully support everyone in the LGBTQ community just as much as we support everyone in the straight community. Keep being the best mrblane that you can be and we will keep picking your brain for all things Jeep.

 

[mrblaine]

While your actual birth gender is unknown, you're handle, mrblane, shows that you identify as a male. While you may or may not be interested in women, by simply identifying as a male would substantially increase the odds that "girls" would send you a love letter....even if your interest would not be mutual. Regardless of how you choose to identify, we fully support everyone in the LGBTQ community just as much as we support everyone in the straight community. Keep being the best mrblane that you can be and we will keep picking your brain for all things Jeep.

You do not know that Blaine is not my last name and the first two letters don't stand for my first and middle names of Myron Randolph, do you?

 

[Roadrash74]

You do not know that Blaine is not my last name and the first two letters don't stand for my first and middle names of Myron Randolph, do you?

LMAO. Well I stand corrected. Besides, I don't want to hold you up with this conversation. You have a busy day coming up...Easter Bunny. Carry on good sir/ma'am/rodent.