Brakes and Steering - 1997 TJ

erickpl

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Apr 9, 2021
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Huntsville, AL
Okay, admittedly my 1997 TJ has been sitting for a while not being driven. Partly because it wouldn't start (replaced the starter yesterday), but also for various other reasons. Part of it is the steering and brakes. Steering feels really sloppy and loose. Admittedly my wife's car is a German car with AMAZING steering and my Ram's steering is tight, but it is more than just that. It takes a lot of back and forth to keep it straight. I've adjusted the toe-in, gotten an alignment, even adjusted the steering box (the likely culprit), but it is still sloppy. Tires are new with less than 200 miles on them (Cooper STT Pro M/T).

Additionally, the brakes are just soft. Have to press them in hard to get it to stop with any kind of expediency. I've bled the lines and replaced the fluid and there are no leaks that I can find at any corner or in the lines.

I'm looking for suggestions on things to look for or focus on to tighten this stuff back up.
 
I replaced my steering bars with Currie Correct Lync. You should have seen the play in the adjuster next to the pitman arm.

Look up how to do a dry steering test.

Check torque on all your suspension bolts.


Do an alignment.


Air pressure... balance the tires...check the age.

Brakes...maybe try replacing the soft lines.

-Mac
 
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I replaced my steering bars with Currie Correct Lync. You should have seen the play in the adjuster next to the pitman arm.

Look up how to do a dry steering test.

Check torque on all your suspension bolts.


Do an alignment.


Air pressure... balance the tires...check the age.

Brakes...maybe try replacing the soft lines.

-Mac

Alignment is on the list to do, as is checking all the joints for the steering, control arms, and track bar. Control arms and track bar are JKS adjustables.

Admittedly the soft lines ARE old and original to the Jeep, so it may be time. I hadn't thought about replacing those. Good point. Old soft lines likely are close to failure. You recommend the steel braided versions or just stick with OEM?

I'll take a look at the Currie Correct Lync. Hadn't heard of that one (just the anti-rock sway bar). I haven't been using the Jeep for a while and it's been sitting so anything (ish) I'll have to discover for the first time. :)
 
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I put Crown Performance on my 97. Expensive but excellent. We have lots of sticks in the PNW that like to grab things.

Lot of folks recommend YJ soft lines because they're a touch longer than TJs.

SwayLoc for a trackbar...from Oro. Dual rate. Flip the lever and you're crawling and flip it back and you're in race car mode. Makes up for my soft shocks.

-Mac
 
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Tell us more about your suspension setup. Post pics of the steering and trackbar. Dry steering test. Unbolt the master and pull it forward enough to see if fluid is leaking into the booster

OME 2.5" lift (and JKS 1.25" BL), including control arms and track bar.
Grand Cherokee tie rod replacement

I have a repair manual, so I've pulled up the section on the master cylinder and will go through that to check for any leaks anywhere. It was replaced not too long back. Perhaps there is just more air in that system I need to bleed out. Since the Jeep has sat, I may as well just get some new brake fluid and replace it all while I'm at it, once I verify the master.

I'll work on getting pics of the suspension setup.
 
What you adjusted on the steering gear was the internal gear lash. There is a worm drive gear that is likely worn out and is not serviceable. The only way to fix it is to get a new steering or find a used steering gear that is not as worn.
 
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What you adjusted on the steering gear was the internal gear lash. There is a worm drive gear that is likely worn out and is not serviceable. The only way to fix it is to get a new steering or find a used steering gear that is not as worn.

That is my suspicion. After doing the test and checking all linkages, there is no unexpected 'counter movement' and all are at proper torque and lubed. I'm suspecting the steering box will need to be replaced, as you mention. Just wanting to rule everything else out before going down that route.
 
What is your castor angle set at? you say you have adjustable CAs, so that is another thing to check for the steering...

Honestly it has been so long since I installed them and adjusted them, I'd have to measure again.

My TJ does have the JKS adjustable control arms so I can adjust it. Also running the OME 2.5" ish lift with 1.25" BL on 33" tires.

When you look at the pinion for the front, it seems to tilt up and is in good line with the driveshaft. Placing an angle finder on the flat part of the spring/shock mount, it is showing 0, so I THINK that is 5.5 degrees, which should about line up to what stock would have been. But with that lift, I'm thinking it should be a bit more. So that could definitely be playing into the steering situation (and it does NOT return to center very well after turning). I'm thinking that I need to adjust that closer to 7 degrees. Guessing I need to lower the end of the pinion (lengthen the lower CA's),

Before I do this, I'll measure each lower CA to make sure they're the same length (they should be as I measured that countless times before installing! LOL Will adjust each 3 full turns to get a degree or so of change, reinstall, then take it for a drive on the roads around my house. Hopefully it'll be better, but I'm thinking I'll need to adjust a second and maybe 3 or 4 to find that sweet spot. Hopefully my steering improves and stabilizes!!!! Once this is done, if it still sucks, it may indeed be the steering box.

Then I can work on getting those brakes not feeling so mushy. LOL
 
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How's the adjustment on the rear brakes? If the adjuster isn't set right there will be more travel in the rear shoes, and brake pedal, before you get effective braking.
 
How's the adjustment on the rear brakes? If the adjuster isn't set right there will be more travel in the rear shoes, and brake pedal, before you get effective braking.

I hadn't thought of the rear brakes. The bias is so much towards the front that the rears never entered my mind! I'll adjust those star adjusters for my rear drums and see how that goes!