Looking for suggestions on upgraded steering

Davidh

New Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2022
Messages
6
Location
Texas
Hello all,
I'm pretty new to jeeps but was bit by the jeep bug back in June when I rented a off road jeep in moab. Had a blast.
I finally found a rust free 05 TJ with a 4 inch lift and a 2 inch body lift sitting on DC 35's. The only thing I'm seeing wrong is its dying to start death wobble. I see the factory steering is still under it and has a ton of slop.
What would you suggest for upgraded steering?? Will run on the street, dirt trails, and my favorite rock crawling. I'm not ever going to be a pro crawler but would like to have fun without the worry of the steering failing prematurely.
 
Hello all,
I'm pretty new to jeeps but was bit by the jeep bug back in June when I rented a off road jeep in moab. Had a blast.
I finally found a rust free 05 TJ with a 4 inch lift and a 2 inch body lift sitting on DC 35's.
welcome and congrats 🍻
The only thing I'm seeing wrong is its dying to start death wobble.
do the dry steering test to check for any movement in steering and suspension components
What would you suggest for upgraded steering??
Top shelf: Rockjock 4x4 CurrectLync
Bargain bin: V8 ZJ tie rod
 
For 35’s you want the Currie/Rockjoc CORRECTLYNC steering. Welcome to the forum. Lots of knowledgeable people here (I’m not one of them 😂)

Thanks... but you say you're not knowledgeable? So I'll ignore your reply..😂🤣 JK
welcome and congrats 🍻

do the dry steering test to check for any movement in steering and suspension components

Top shelf: Rockjock 4x4 CurrectLync
Bargain bin: V8 ZJ tie rod

Oh and during the steering test the tie rod ends move side to side and up and down
 
Welcome to the forum. We need to know what this really means.

The only thing I'm seeing wrong is its dying to start death wobble.

I imagine that "drying" should be "trying" but we need more details. From what I see right now, your tires aren't properly balanced and you're nowhere near having DW because it wouldn't ignore any tries to start it and you'd have to practically stop the whole Jeep to stop real DW.
 
What symptoms are you having that you're describing as early DW onset?

True DW is VIOLENT, beyond comprehension of those who haven't yet experienced it.

If it's not that bad it's more likely just a speed sensitive shimmy caused by either a bad tire or one that just needs to be better balanced. Few tire shops get big tires well balanced enough.
 
You have already done the best thing you can do if you own a TJ- joined this forum.

These jeeps are mechanically more complex than their predecessors, and all that is for better performance on road and off-

My advice is first, take time to understand the coil spring /control arm design, and the simple steering linkage, and learn how to do the dry steering test... and how to diagnose issues then what parts are the best for the situation, listen to these guys and expect to spend some time to dial it in.

All the best,
Andy G
 
You have already done the best thing you can do if you own a TJ- joined this forum.

These jeeps are mechanically more complex than their predecessors, and all that is for better performance on road and off-

My advice is first, take time to understand the coil spring /control arm design, and the simple steering linkage, and learn how to do the dry steering test... and how to diagnose issues then what parts are the best for the situation, listen to these guys and expect to spend some time to dial it in.

All the best,
Andy G

Andy before you start sharing your invaluable knowledge let’s get this man started on form 69TJEZ right away.
 
Andy before you start sharing your invaluable knowledge let’s get this man started on form 69TJEZ right away.

I was about to mail the whole application packet....In triplicate
 
Ok send me the forms to fill out....
But until I get them. The issue is at 45mph to 55mph the steering wheel will rock back and forth like a slow motion death wobble but isn't violent and goes away above 55mph. I had the right front tire patched and when I left I now have lucky man's death wobble. What's that you say... at 45 if I hit a bump or do anything to upset the front end it will death wobble BUT if I'm careful as long as I get past 55 it's golden. This is why I checked my tie rod ends and found all the slop....
The track bar has no play in it but I'm thinking I should just replace it. I will be taking this out January 1st for a ride and only have 2 chances to get this drivable for our trip. I'm a OTR truck driver so I'm hardly home...ugh
 
Ok send me the forms to fill out....
But until I get them. The issue is at 45mph to 55mph the steering wheel will rock back and forth like a slow motion death wobble but isn't violent and goes away above 55mph. I had the right front tire patched and when I left I now have lucky man's death wobble. What's that you say... at 45 if I hit a bump or do anything to upset the front end it will death wobble BUT if I'm careful as long as I get past 55 it's golden. This is why I checked my tie rod ends and found all the slop....
The track bar has no play in it but I'm thinking I should just replace it. I will be taking this out January 1st for a ride and only have 2 chances to get this drivable for our trip. I'm a OTR truck driver so I'm hardly home...ugh

Might consider rotating your tires
 
Might consider rotating your tires

That is a plan for sure rotate and balance they are all brand new but the amount of weight on them is crazy. I'm going to take it to 4x4 parts specialist to get the balance done.
 
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That is a plan for sure rotate and balance they are all brand new but the amount of weight on them is crazy. I'm going to take it to 4x4 parts specialist to get the balance done.

It’s going to do about as good as the tires if everything else is pretty tight and if you can grasp what we’re talking about doing the steering test it’s really simple you just get a buddy to turn the wheel back-and-forth slowly and see if you see anything that has slop as you change direction-

Don’t go by appearances or even using a prybar too much because it is under more force than that-
 
Thanks... but you say you're not knowledgeable? So I'll ignore your reply..😂🤣 JK


Oh and during the steering test the tie rod ends move side to side and up and down

You say “the tie rods move side to side and up and down“ . That means they’re junk . You have 35’s so the only good solution is the Rock Jock Currectlync steering that’s already been mentioned . Tire balance and steering box/shaft should all be checked too .