Jeep drives like crap!

Jonesy97

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Oct 6, 2018
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Southern California
Hello all, so i bough this jeep, it has a 4.5” RE long arm kit, PSC gear box and pump, Currie anti rocks, Currie steering, and Currie track bar up front. This thing drives like shit. I can’t figure out why it’s so swervie. Just had it aligned and had a new steering stabilizer put on. Any info would be greatly appreciated because it’s not fun to drive this thing. Kind of nerve racking. Thank you!
 
What are your caster and pinion angles? Can you scan in your recent alignment printout and post it here?

Is a dropped Pitman arm installed?

What size tires are you running and exactly what tire pressure is inside them?

I ran RE's 4.5" long-arm suspension in my last TJ and while I was definitely no fan of it, it did steer fine.
 
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What are your caster and pinion angles? Is a dropped Pitman arm installed?

What size tires are you running and exactly what tire pressure is inside them?

I ran RE's 4.5" long-arm suspension in my last TJ and while I was definitely no fan of it, it did steer fine.
I bought and installed the Currie Jeep speed track bar you recommended on my previous post. I took off the track bar and drop bracket that came with the rubicon express kit. Idk the specs of caster and pinion angles. I had my buddy’s shop do it and they work do a lot of off-road stuff. My tires are worn out as i have new procomp MT i need to have installed but idk tire pressure.
 
Again, is a dropped Pitman arm installed? Can you go out and measure your tire pressure? Your alignment shop didn't give you a printout showing your alignment specs? Factory driver's side trackbar mount?

You're asking for help, I'm trying to give it but basic questions like your alignment specs, Pitman arm type, and tire pressure need answers if you want help.
 
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Again, is a dropped Pitman arm installed? Can you go out and measure your tire pressure? Your alignment shop didn't give you a printout showing your alignment specs?

You're asking for help, I'm trying to give it but basic questions like your alignment specs, Pitman arm type, and tire pressure need answers if you want help.

X2 to what Jerry said. Providing this information will be tremendously helpful in regards to solving your problem.
 
What are your caster and pinion angles? Can you scan in your recent alignment printout and post it here?

Is a dropped Pitman arm installed?

What size tires are you running and exactly what tire pressure is inside them?

I ran RE's 4.5" long-arm suspension in my last TJ and while I was definitely no fan of it, it did steer fine.
Again, is a dropped Pitman arm installed? Can you go out and measure your tire pressure? Your alignment shop didn't give you a printout showing your alignment specs? Factory driver's side trackbar mount?

You're asking for help, I'm trying to give it but basic questions like your alignment specs, Pitman arm type, and tire pressure need answers if you want help.
Sorry about that, so i don’t have specs from the alignment but i went out and took a few pictures of the pitman arm and took the tire pressure. Front left: 29 PSI, Front right: 30 PSI, rear left: 29 PSI, rear right: 26 PSI.

Please see attached pictures.
582B8788-6AE6-48A5-B79D-461FC159CC96.webp
EA142097-E606-4285-9C66-DC0CF6FCD691.webp


582B8788-6AE6-48A5-B79D-461FC159CC96.webp
 
What size tires? If you are running 35" tires 24 psi is appropriate when the Jeep is lightly loaded, 26 psi max when it's fully loaded with people and/or gear.

Your Pitman arm is not dropped and is ok as is.

I'm still thinking the unknown front end alignment is probably the biggest contributor to your steering issues.
 
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What size tires? If you are running 35" tires 24 psi is appropriate when the Jeep is lightly loaded, 26 psi max when it's fully loaded with people and/or gear.

Your Pitman arm is not dropped and is ok as is.

I'm still thinking the unknown front end alignment is probably the biggest contributor to your steering issues.
Yes 35” tires, the ones are worn uneven, but i have brand new ones.
 
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New tires , perfectly balanced , are going to really help . Tire pressure matters.

Don't rule out control arm bushings, you can have someone press the brakes and rock the Jeep back and forth (not side to side) and easily see if they have slop . Control arm bushings , front and rear , can kill tracking.

Grease Everything .

Alignment to factory specs .

Keep us posted , TJ enjoyment is mandatory here.

Don't buy the "it's a jeep, they drive bad " crap or that lifted ones do.

Mine is lifted 4" and drives smooth as glass ....as good or better than stock , and many do.

Don't be overwhelmed, but keep in mind it isn't always just one thing ...sometimes it's a combination of tires, wear , alignment , bushings , etc.
 
New tires , perfectly balanced , are going to really help . Tire pressure matters.

Don't rule out control arm bushings, you can have someone press the brakes and rock the Jeep back and forth (not side to side) and easily see if they have slop . Control arm bushings , front and rear , can kill tracking.

Grease Everything .

Alignment to factory specs .

Keep us posted , TJ enjoyment is mandatory here.

Don't buy the "it's a jeep, they drive bad " crap or that lifted ones do.

Mine is lifted 4" and drives smooth as glass ....as good or better than stock , and many do.

Don't be overwhelmed, but keep in mind it isn't always just one thing ...sometimes it's a combination of tires, wear , alignment , bushings , etc.
Thank you for the information!! You and Jerry definitely help! I’ll be out at a desert race but my pops will be taking it in to have my new shoes mounted so we will see how it acts. I love driving jeeps, used to have a blast in my YJ but this TJ is nerve racking so far so if i can get it decent I’ll be satisfied lol.
 
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You 'll be fine , just keep your eyes open , and don't just throw money at it .

It can , and should , drive really nice .

Tires matter , but they are just part of the equation ...it's all trade offs with tires ..mud tires hook up , and look cool, but typically drive the worst , all terrain are quieter and smoother , but not as aggressive , and street tires drive great but threaten your manhood .
 
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You 'll be fine , just keep your eyes open , and don't just throw money at it .

It can , and should , drive really nice .

Tires matter , but they are just part of the equation ...it's all trade offs with tires ..mud tires hook up , and look cool, but typically drive the worst , all terrain are quieter and smoother , but not as aggressive , and street tires drive great but threaten your manhood .
I’ve never ran these before but i went with the procomp extreme terrain MT2 and apperantly they work great on and off-road But that could be biased lol we will see!
 
Thank you for the information!! You and Jerry definitely help! I’ll be out at a desert race but my pops will be taking it in to have my new shoes mounted so we will see how it acts. I love driving jeeps, used to have a blast in my YJ but this TJ is nerve racking so far so if i can get it decent I’ll be satisfied lol.

I know exactly what you mean. I had almost every type of Jeep there was, but I really had my YJ the longest. I agree the TJ is a ton more work to dial in, but you just have to play with it and try different things. Try to remember you aren't the only one that can't dial in. You just need to find the sweet spot. You don't have anything uncommon there. You will get it, and when you do it will be worth it. And you will know more about your TJ than you ever cared to know.

Also I want to second that that you have an awesome steering set up, but your stabilizer is in the wrong spot. It isn't going to make any difference in your complaint, but people might point and laugh!
 
I know exactly what you mean. I had almost every type of Jeep there was, but I really had my YJ the longest. I agree the TJ is a ton more work to dial in, but you just have to play with it and try different things. Try to remember you aren't the only one that can't dial in. You just need to find the sweet spot. You don't have anything uncommon there. You will get it, and when you do it will be worth it. And you will know more about your TJ than you ever cared to know.

Also I want to second that that you have an awesome steering set up, but your stabilizer is in the wrong spot. It isn't going to make any difference in your complaint, but people might point and laugh!
Just noticed the shop didn’t put it on the drag link, I’ll have to swap it.
 
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I think with TJ's , it's not that they are hard to dial in as much as easy to screw up.

They were the first coil spring jeep , and Jeep had finally came into the modern era with it ....and everything related to lifting Jeeps went out the window with the old leaf springs .

Don't be intimidated , a TJ can drive fantastic .
 
I think with TJ's , it's not that they are hard to dial in as much as easy to screw up.

They were the first coil spring jeep , and Jeep had finally came into the modern era with it ....and everything related to lifting Jeeps went out the window with the old leaf springs .

Don't be intimidated , a TJ can drive fantastic .
YJ was so simple, they just rode like shopping carts lol. I’m excited to get this TJ dialed in so i can take it out to the desert when i go.
 
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