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Big-time bumpsteer!
- Thread starter Mandolinman
- Start date
We even took the differential cover off to inspect the gears. If nothing else I got the differential oil changed and confirmed I have 411 gears. The control arms were so bad when I let the clutch out the pinion moved 4in up and down. Wow! Test drive confirmed torque steering.
Torque steer is a completely different thing from bump steer. Bump steer is when the steering goes left-right when the front axle moves up-down when driving over bumps and dips in the road. Torque steer is when the steering goes left-right from the gas pedal. So it was torque steer all along and not bump steer?
Yeah I would say for the most part. I'm not sure what the trackbar hein joint play was causing. My friend say it would be nice if I could squeeze a little more castor up front. Funny thing is it kinda felt like I was fighting 2 steering wheels I guess it was because the rear axle was driving it self lol sorta? On a uneven road I was being sling shot all over the road. Scary driving for sure.
Back with a small update. I replaced the rear upper control arms. Helped a bit but didn't solve the issue like I hoped it would. I'm waiting on a new trackbar to arrive. One issue I'm having is I'm experiencing a over steer predominantly when I'm making a right turn. Turn the steering wheel slightly to the right it seems to over steer and sling you to the right until you correct the wheel. Plus steering wheel doesn't return as should when steering right also.
I'm starting to think I have a caster issue. The oversteer is more pronounced turning right. The return steering is more pronounced turning right. The front lower control arms are fixed aftermarket with what looks like cam bolts (pic to come). I'm going to find a alignment shop to check and print out the specs. I'm suspecting one of the cam bolts came loose. Questions ; does the axle/differential need suspended to adjust caster? Does jeep need to be on level surface to measure caster angle?
The caster can't change so long as the other side's cam bolt is still tight. Caster can be adjusted with the tires on the ground but I wouldn't do that kind of work on a slope.
This is my effort to learn here maybe.
Are you saying that the lower driver's side and cam bolt are set to the correct Caster, that if the passenger lower loosens and turns etc, it won't change the Caster on the passenger side?
I've done a lot with axles and all this on 2 Jeeps now, but still farther away from feeling like I know exactly all the relationships, ha.
Correct. The axle is solid and the caster determining points on both sides are directly welded to it. The L/R caster angles are locked together. Raise one and the other follows suit. They are a few tenths of a degree off from each other which is intentional. Changing the pinion angle changes both caster angles by the same amount.
I get what you're saying Jerry. I definitely get what cpwolf is thinking you see a bolt on the right and left , if one comes loose it's going to shift.
Jerry's right but it's still hard from not looking at it the way I think cpwolf is. That being said I checked my caster angles with a android app. Keep in mind my driveway might not be perfectly level however both right and left caster angle was +6 maybe a little over 6. Here's a pic of the 2 cam bolts. Needless to say I am stumped!
B00mb00m
The Church of Cutting Brakes of Atlas-Front Digs
Supporting Member
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Did you do the dry steering test? Check balljoints also? My loose balljoints gave me what was close to bump steer.
I'm still going to get a printout of my alignment. It will also confirm my alignment findings. I'm thinking now that my alignment is dead on and I bet the printout will confirm it. My friend mechanic said my steering box was very responsive to the turning of the steering wheel however maybe the adjustment screw is turned down to much. Just throwing that out there. One other visual observation is the passenger side sway bar link is slightly bent.
B00mb00m
The Church of Cutting Brakes of Atlas-Front Digs
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
I’m dealing with caster issue myself right now. A lack of caster for me is a looseness at center, and not a strong straight line centering essentially wants to break over left of right with little input. If I began an actual turn it’s not noticeable. Is your condition similar where it’s only “twitchy” around the center line and not if you actually steer into a right turn?
I'm not sure I'm dealing with a caster issue now. After a maybe crude way of checking it. Caster looks good. My problem is wheel doesn't return to center when making a right turn. Also when making a right turn it wants to oversteer and I have to constantly bring it back left. Jeep wonders all over the road at higher speeds ie 55mph. As of this moment I'm running out of answers.
Toe will do crazy things in a Jeep.
I didn’t read this whole thread, but did you check your steering stabilizer? They can cause odd return to center issues, especially in one direction.
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