Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Advice on fixing steering issues

Nico

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Oct 20, 2022
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Los Angeles
I got my 04 TJ October 2022 and am now getting around to fixing its steering issues. Here are some of the issues I’ve been having: very loose steering, steering wheel is not centered, jeep pulls to one side when driving, the sway bar link is contacting the frame on the driver side (this is my main concern as it is causing considerable damage to the frame - see photo), and the sway bar itself is shifting to the passenger side. I will include photos of the front end at the bottom.

The TJ came with a 3” TerraFlex lift kit. I recently installed new Rancho shocks since the last ones were in very bad condition. TJ has 200k miles, I believe all of the steering components are stock. It seems like the root of the steering issues is that the PO installed a lift kit but did not adjust the trackbar (as far as I can tell), causing everything to shift over to the passenger side.

I’ve spent a lot of time reading and researching on the forum and was planning to do the following:
  • I purchased a JKS adjustable track bar which will allow me to center the axle and prevent the sway bar link from contacting the frame on driver side
  • When installing the adjustable track bar, I’ll make sure to center the axle using various methods (jumping on bumper, etc.)
  • I got the JKS adjustable sway bar links so I can set the sway bar at the proper angle. Don’t think this is particularly necessary but an adjustable set may help keep the swaybar in place better
  • While the track bar should fix the issues with the swaybar shifting, I also plan to install steel collars on the inside of the swaybar mounts to prevent any further shifting (http://www.4x4xplor.com/swaybar-fix.html#google_vignette)
  • I got a Rough Country steering stabilizer, since the one I have now is shot and doing close to nothing. I’ve read that these can just mask other issues, but I figured for $34 it’s worth installing a new one and I’ll be fixing the underlying issues first
  • If my steering wheel is still not properly centered, I read I can adjust it by adjusting the sleeve on the front drag link
  • Going to clean up the tie rod and drag link with some fresh paint (just for aesthetics lol)
It also looks like I have a drop pitman arm, should I replace this with a stock pitman arm? Any need to do the ZJ steering upgrade? Don’t plan on doing any extreme crawling, just some light trails.

Does this sound like a good approach? Based on the photos, is there anything else that looks off?

Thank you in advance for any advice. This forum has been a great resource!

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The lift is 3” now?

If that is the case, absolutely get that adjustable track bar installed, good move.

Then get a stock Pitman Arm. Pullers from Autozone or other parts store will get it done.

Then I’d look at Jerry’s Home alignment in the how to section. and then center the steering wheel.

Possible tip, take a silver sharpie and mark which way moving the sleeve turns it ha.

ZJ would be a good upgrade, really just the tie rod. I did it and it was helpful, went to Currie now.

You have the plan, I’d do that and then see how it drives.
 
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It looks like you might still have stock control arms?

3” is borderline. With what you plan, after I would look at if your wheel returns to center. If it does, you’re good, but at 3” you may need to add Caster angle to make it drive better.
 
Hmmm. A lift will pull the axle towards the drivers side.someone redrilled the axle bracket and shifted the axle over to the passenger side. Its possible the track bar or something else is tweaked.might as well get that adjustable track bar

yes the dropped pitman arm needs to go and you may also have low caster adding to the difficulty tracking straight. 10" wide aftermarket wheels can make it wander too.

Look up dry steering test and check your ball joints and wheel bearings while you're at it.
 
The lift is 3” now?

If that is the case, absolutely get that adjustable track bar installed, good move.

Then get a stock Pitman Arm. Pullers from Autozone or other parts store will get it done.

Then I’d do Jerry’s Home toe in and then center the steering wheel.

Possible tip, take a silver sharpie and mark which way moving the sleeve turns it ha.

ZJ would be a good upgrade, really just the tie rod. I did it and it was helpful, went to Currie now.

You have the plan, I’d do that and then see how it drives.

Awesome, thanks for the tips. I’ll get the stock pitman ordered in that case and add it to the to-do list.

I plan to get started on installs this week - I’ll post updates on how it works out
 
It looks like you might still have stock control arms?

3” is borderline. With what you plan, after I would look at if your wheel returns to center. If it does, you’re good, but at 3” you may need to add Caster angle to make it drive better.

Yeah, I’m still at 3” with the stock control arms. I was worried I might have to replace those too

Well, we’ll see how it drives after I tackle my planned upgrades.
 
Hmmm. A lift will pull the axle towards the drivers side.someone redrilled the axle bracket and shifted the axle over to the passenger side. Its possible the track bar or something else is tweaked.might as well get that adjustable track bar

yes the dropped pitman arm needs to go and you may also have low caster adding to the difficulty tracking straight. 10" wide aftermarket wheels can make it wander too.

Look up dry steering test and check your ball joints and wheel bearings while you're at it.

Oh man I didn’t even notice that additional hole there on the axle bracket. This is what you’re referring to right?

IMG_5163.jpeg


I’ll be sure to install my new adjustable trackbar in the original bolt hole… thanks for pointing that out!
 
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Oh man I didn’t even notice that additional hole there on the axle bracket. This is what you’re referring to right?

View attachment 515657

I’ll be sure to install my new adjustable trackbar in the original bolt hole… thanks for pointing that out!

Yes that's the one.how far offset to the pass side is the axle?

I can't really tell from the pic but if you have eccentric washers where the lower arm meets the axle you should adjust them so the bolts are to the rear.essentially elongating the lower arm. That will give you more caster and stability. Hopefully you won't need adjustable arms to get enough caster
 
I read through this-

You sound like you’re ready to freshen everything up- I’m not saying to spend more than you need and I don’t know your mechanical limits but if you’ll really pay attention to these posts above, And really pay attention to what is going on- you will get it -

You need-

- good connections

- correct toe

- proper axle geometry- Do you need to make sure your axles are both centered and parallel to each other and square to the frame ( You can take measurements at the skid plate)

- Caster is the rearward rotation of the front axle- it is critical

Once you nail this down or as you do it pay close attention to the condition of the upper control arm bushings and all the rest, and check your unit bearings for play.
 
Oh man I didn’t even notice that additional hole there on the axle bracket. This is what you’re referring to right?

View attachment 515657

I’ll be sure to install my new adjustable trackbar in the original bolt hole… thanks for pointing that out!

Everything your planning is good, but don’t leave the steering box out of the equation. If you freshen everything up and still have wandering, either the steering box gear could be worn or the splines on the steering shaft.
 
- Caster is the rearward rotation of the front axle- it is critical
Rearward rotation moving the pinion up or the pinion down?
If we use clock hands and stick the clock face on opposite tires, we get opposite results. On the left tire, the hands rotating rearward moving from 12 to 1 to 2 move the pinion down. On the right tire, the hands moving from 6 to 7 to 8 move the pinion up.

In other words, if we go by rotation, that can be confusing depending on where one is viewing the rotation from. Very much like that righty tighty, lefty loosey bullshit. Right if I am looking at the nut or the bolt. Is the bolt vertical, horizontal, am I moving the head or the nut? What if I'm looking at a bolt and nut that is going across in front of me and I have a wrench in each hand, one on the nut and one on the bolt head. Which way is righty tighty?

If instead, we explain that we want to work the caster adjustment and angle by tilting or leaning the top of the inner Cs to the front or the back to add and remove caster, that is easier for folks to visualize.
Once you nail this down or as you do it pay close attention to the condition of the upper control arm bushings and all the rest, and check your unit bearings for play.
 
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Rearward rotation moving the pinion up or the pinion down?
If we use clock hands and stick the clock face on opposite tires, we get opposite results. On the left tire, the hands rotating rearward moving from 12 to 1 to 2 move the pinion down. On the right tire, the hands moving from 6 to 7 to 8 move the pinion up.

In other words, if we go by rotation, that can be confusing depending on where one is viewing the rotation from. Very much like that righty tighty, lefty loosey bullshit. Right if I am looking at the nut or the bolt. Is the bolt vertical, horizontal, am I moving the head or the nut? What if I'm looking at a bolt and nut that is going across in front of me and I have a wrench in each hand, one on the nut and one on the bolt head. Which way is righty tighty?

If instead, we explain that we want to work the caster adjustment and angle by tilting or leaning the top of the inner Cs to the front or the back to add and remove caster, that is easier for folks to visualize.

Let me retry for practice-

The front pinion output shaft needs to move downward to increase caster (change the caster number higher as it moves)

Or, if you’re facing the vehicle from the driver side looking at the left front wheel the axle assembly would rotate clockwise.
 
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Let me retry for practice-

The front pinion output shaft needs to move downward to increase caster (change the caster number higher as it moves)

Or, if you’re facing the vehicle from the driver side looking at the left front wheel the axle assembly would rotate clockwise.

Yep, that is much easier to understand.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts