Need help with wandering TJ steering

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

My 2001 tj doesn’t drive safely. Have 30” tires on stock wheels, 2.5” lift, 2” spacers, everything under front replaced, toe in set at 1/8”.
On highway wants to take up all lane back and forth. Any thoughts?

Jerry Bransford · Mar 23, 2023

Was a dropped arm installed with your 2.5" suspension lift? The top Pitman arm below is dropped the bottom Pitman arm is what the factory installed.

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

Jerry Bransford said:
Was a dropped arm installed with your 2.5" suspension lift? The top Pitman arm below is dropped the bottom Pitman arm is what the factory installed.

View attachment 409839

No that wasn’t done. Didn’t realize that would be necessary on a 21/2 lift.

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

No that wasn’t done didn’t realize it was necessary on a 21/2 lift

deadbeat son · Mar 23, 2023

Gortch66 said:
No that wasn’t done didn’t realize it was necessary on a 21/2 lift

It's a good thing that was not done. Take photos of your steering and front suspension so folks can see if there are any obvious issues. Otherwise, it could be a combination of worn parts.

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

All parts replaced. Ball joints, tie rods, upper and lower track bars.

TheBoogieman · Mar 23, 2023

Gortch66 said:
2.5” lift, 2” spacers

BB spacers or wheel spacers?

Jerry Bransford · Mar 23, 2023

Gortch66 said:
No that wasn’t done didn’t realize it was necessary on a 21/2 lift

A dropped Pitman arm was not needed or even proper to instalI, I was just checking to see if one had been installed. If one had I would have advised it be replaced with the factory Pitman arm.

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

TheBoogieman said:
BB spacers or wheel spacers?

Wheel spacers

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

Wheel spacers

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

Thanks

LONGJP2 · Mar 23, 2023

Gortch66 said:
Wheel spacers

2" wheel spacers?

Remove them and see how it drives without them.

Link · Mar 23, 2023

Was the steering poor before the replacement of those parts or did it get worse after the parts replacement?

Have you checked the shaft from the steering wheel to the steering box to make sure there's no play or loose bolts? Might need a second person to help with that.

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

LONGJP2 said:
2" wheel spacers?
Remove them and see how it drives without them.

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

I'll do that, I put them on to keep the tires from rubbing when turning sharp.

Gortch66 · Mar 23, 2023

I will do that also, Thanks

MikekiM · Mar 24, 2023

Just to be safe, check your tire pressure as well. If you did a trip to a shop for the front end work you mention they could have (likely) franked your tire pressure way up. That will make the handling squirrely at speed.

Gortch66 · Mar 24, 2023

LONGJP2 said:
2" wheel spacers?
Remove them and see how it drives without them.

I removed the front spacers, lt helped a lot. still

deadbeat son · Mar 24, 2023

Gortch66 said:
I removed the front spacers, lt helped a lot. still

Tire pressure?

MikeE024 · Mar 24, 2023

Gortch66 said:
upper and lower track bars.

When you say upper and lower TBs, do you mean the tie rod and drag link? If so, have you indeed replaced the track bar? (maybe it's worn or loose)?

Maybe the gearbox is worn?

I'd consider moving the rear tires to the front to see if things change (just to be sure).

Need help with wandering TJ steering

Member

Retired to more relaxed pastures... bye.

Member

Member

TJ Addict

Member

Disturbed Jeepaholic

Retired to more relaxed pastures... bye.

Member

Member

Member

TJ Expert

TJ Enthusiast

Member

Member

Member

TJ Addict

Member

TJ Addict

TJ Addict