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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Big-time bumpsteer!

Roger what Mr Blain says. I will remove the unnecessary lower extra steering stabilizer then my friend is going to help me with the steering test Wednesday. I'll keep you updated on my findings. I did fail to mention that sometimes when letting out the clutch I feel and here a clunk under my feet. I'm thinking that sound could be a upper trailing arm. We'll see. I will check the toe in alignment also.
 
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Roger what Mr Blain says. I will remove the unnecessary lower extra steering stabilizer then my friend is going to help me with the steering test Wednesday. I'll keep you updated on my findings. I did fail to mention that sometimes when letting out the clutch I feel and here a clunk under my feet. I'm thinking that sound could be a upper trailing arm. We'll see. I will check the toe in alignment also.

You are on the right track. My earlier post was wrong. I have had a control arm bushing so bad you could roll the jeep, hit the brakes and see/hear it move.

A lot of Tj’s, due to age, neglect, etc need a good going through of the front end these days.

Do watch the track bar during the dry test- those heim joints don’t like rust.

My apologies on my earlier post being wrong- didn’t see the dropped mount. The bumps you hit are allowing things to move that should not.

By your avatar, you like music- we have one guy on here that played with Colin Ray and his brothers in Texas (mandolin I think) and Jason Aldeans guitar tech. Pretty cool.
 
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You are on the right track. My earlier post was wrong. I have had a control arm bushing so bad you could roll the jeep, hit the brakes and see/hear it move.

A lot of Tj’s, due to age, neglect, etc need a good going through of the front end these days.

Do watch the track bar during the dry test- those heim joint don’t like rust.

My apologies on my earlier post being wrong- didn’t see the dropped mount. The bumps you hit are allowing things to move that should not.

By your avatar, you like music- we have one guy on here that played with Colin Ray and his brothers in Texas (mandolin I think) and Jason Aldeans guitar tech.

“Well, it proves one thing, Mr. Hooper. Proves you wealthy college boys don’t have the education enough to admit if you’re wrong.”

(Note: Quint was not talking to @AndyG 🙂)
 
“Well, it proves one thing, Mr. Hooper. Proves you wealthy college boys don’t have the education enough to admit if you’re wrong.”

(Note: Quint was not talking to @AndyG 🙂)

“It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man”😂
 
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Just a few updates. I checked my toe alignment today and it was right on. 1/8 in. Toe in. Took another look at the overall view of the front suspension. The upper passenger side control arm I thought was damaged wasn't. The pic was misleading. Couldn't find a level spot so I could check the caster. Wednesday will be steering test day. 1 question, if you look at the rusty hem joint at the frame side Trac bar bracket wouldn't that rust have come off of the joint just by driving it around. Could it be frozen in one spot from the rust? Over thinking 🤔?
 
Check your tire air pressure. Excessive pressure can contribute to poor handling. Also it appears your track bar may be hitting your diff cover. If it is you will want to address that as well.
 
Forgot to mention that I did lower the tire pressure today from 32 psi to 26 psi. Also removed the 2nd steering stabilizer that was on the tie rod.

Does it drive better with the stabilizer removed. You didn’t really say what it’s doing. You mentioned not returning to center one way but nothing else.
 
Does it drive better with the stabilizer removed. You didn’t really say what it’s doing. You mentioned not returning to center one way but nothing else.

Didn't get to drive it afterwards. Will test drive it tomorrow and let you know. It actually wouldn't return to center turning left and right. Left was much worse.
 
Didn't get to drive it afterwards. Will test drive it tomorrow and let you know. It actually wouldn't return to center turning left and right. Left was much worse.

Check that other stabilizer too. They can cause weird steering return issues.
 
Just a few updates. I checked my toe alignment today and it was right on. 1/8 in. Toe in. Took another look at the overall view of the front suspension. The upper passenger side control arm I thought was damaged wasn't. The pic was misleading. Couldn't find a level spot so I could check the caster. Wednesday will be steering test day. 1 question, if you look at the rusty hem joint at the frame side Trac bar bracket wouldn't that rust have come off of the joint just by driving it around. Could it be frozen in one spot from the rust? Over thinking 🤔?

Toe in check doesn’t hurt, but in general I’d stop changing the variables, and do the test on Wednesday if you have no one that can turn the wheel back and forth until your friend shows up then. As @mrblaine suggested, do that and report back.
 
Just a few updates. I checked my toe alignment today and it was right on. 1/8 in. Toe in. Took another look at the overall view of the front suspension. The upper passenger side control arm I thought was damaged wasn't.
That clunk is likely from the t-case shifter bell crank.
The pic was misleading. Couldn't find a level spot so I could check the caster. Wednesday will be steering test day. 1 question, if you look at the rusty hem joint at the frame side Trac bar bracket wouldn't that rust have come off of the joint just by driving it around. Could it be frozen in one spot from the rust? Over thinking 🤔?
Being frozen still wouldn't cause the issues you have described. You can easily check to see if it is frozen by raising the rig or lowering the axle.
 
Update, maybe a little bit of improvement. Steering still doesn't return to center. Sometimes it will slowly. Just sitting in my driveway with the windows down engine running and rapidly turning the wheel back and forth I do hear a noise in the Steering. Not real loud but something is moving. Update tomorrow.
 
Update, maybe a little bit of improvement. Steering still doesn't return to center. Sometimes it will slowly. Just sitting in my driveway with the windows down engine running and rapidly turning the wheel back and forth I do hear a noise in the Steering. Not real loud but something is moving. Update tomorrow.

Ummmmmmm, I can't help it, but did you buy this Jeep from @TheBoogieman ????? It has a Hanibal Lecter mask on it????


Hanibal.jpg
 
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That clunk is likely from the t-case shifter bell crank.

Being frozen still wouldn't cause the issues you have described. You can easily check to see if it is frozen by raising the rig or lowering the axle.

Found out the hem joint wasn't frozen today anyway.
 
Bottom line is Heim joint was bad on frame side trackbar. Ordered new one. Not the number one issue. Informed my friend and mechanic of the clunking noise when letting out clutch. Long story short He diagnosed the rear upper control arms were shot. Passenger side extremely bad. Thus I had major torque steering. Especially after every shift. I have a 5spd tyranny. That was the main problem.
 
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Bottom line is Heim joint was bad on frame side trackbar. Ordered new one. Not the number one issue. Informed my friend and mechanic of the clunking noise when letting out clutch. Long story short He diagnosed the rear upper control arms were shot. Passenger side extremely bad. Thus I had major torque steering. Especially after every shift. I have a 5spd tyranny. That was the main problem.

My 05 had exactly that, when I pulled the control arms the metal bolt sleeve almost didn't touch the bushing anywhere, it rolled around inside, one every one. The Jeep "twisted" under me every shift from the rear, my son had it at college and came home and I was like "What the hell". Kid didn't really notice.

Assuming nothing else was loose up front on the dry steer, like TREs or anything else.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts