Lazy steering when turning left?

[dockdoc]

Looking for suggestions here... this is on my newly restored TJ which I’m proud to mostly passed its first test drive today (about 20 miles) with no major issues. New frame, bushings, shocks and a LOT less rust.

One issue I did notice is steering. When turning left at speed, theres a lag in responsiveness. It takes more turning of the wheel to get the expected response. The first time it happened was unsettling - felt like I might go straight off the road. Turning right feels normal.

Jeep is stock height, stock everything (except a few of the control arms that we replaced with OEM equivalents). Torqued everything to spec.

We checked the toe in and it was within spec, and we did have to straighten the steering wheel back out but this problem persisted either way. Plenty of power steering fluid...

Not really sure what else to look for. Could the gear have gone bad? We didn’t really touch it aside from moving it from old frame to new. Basically left everything the same.

Appreciate any other suggestions! It feels fine enough to drive and you get used to it but it’s definitely not normal and feels different than before we swapped frames.

 

[Goatman]

The steering wheel has to be perfectly centered for the steering box to give equal bias to both directions. Perfectly centered.
Next triple check your air pressure. Both fronts need to be equal. And correct psi too. In the 26-29 area. Each TJ is different. And check your pinion angle. If no lift and stock arms there isn't much to adjust. Look again for any worn steering parts. From the steering wheel to the road. Ball joint or wheel bearing problems on 1 side can throw the steering off too.
These are all things I'm sure you've done, but some times you need to look with a fresh set of eyes. Have a friend check things out with you.

 

[Mobusaki]

Another vote for check steering components. Have someone start the Jeep and turn the wheel side to side while you look for worn tie rod ends, etc., under the Jeep.

 

[dockdoc]

Well I feel like a dunce guys... I put a wrench on everything on the front end and realized that when we put the track bar back on (which was a whole other saga... separate thread) we only hand-tightened the stud on the frame bracket. I tightened that down and torqued to spec and steering is nice and tight again. Funny how that works!

Now to sort out the strange hissing noise coming from the engine... Can I thread jack my own thread? Quite noticeable hiss (sounds like air escaping) from somewhere on the driver's side of the motor... maybe louder towards the ground.

Could be an exhaust leak? I did have the downpipes off at one point, and I know I torqued those back on (new hardware)... but it doesn't appear to be louder with throttle increase, pretty steady. And I don't smell exhaust near the motor and the motor isn't louder.

Checked all the vac connections and they look fine... Not sure what else to consider.