Hi all, I'm praying someone can answer my questions...but first and foremost, I have done the precursory checks, and the collar on the drag link is tight, there isn't any play I've seen in the track bar or tie rod ends (although going to relook), with that said, here's the rest of the story...
I have a very frustrating and recent problem with my 2001 TJ Wrangler Sport using the rock jock steering linkages (put on maybe 7-10 years ago). It also has a PSC heavy duty box (two years), Dana 44 axles from a 2003 rubicon, the Vanco 16 inch Big Brake Kit, lighter 37 inch tires on aluminum 17 inch rims. It has the Rubicon Express 4.5 inch lift kit, with recently changed JKS 3(.5?) inch dual rate springs, with a complete control arm replacement done about 5 years ago. There's a few other mods, but think that covers anything steering related.
Here's a summary of what seems to be happening:
Issue: Steering center shifting during turning and sometimes on bumps. Initially was very dramatic quick shift, but replaced drag link ball joint, and seems smoother, but still significant. Seems related to the drag link, as when I look under the jeep after a shift, the drag link ball joint has shifted relative to the pitman arm. After removing the ball joint, feeling it, it was out of grease (ripped) and was not smooth at all, just clunk from one side to the other. Ordered the new ball joint, and felt before install, still seemed stiff, and not perfectly smooth but didn't have grease. Installed, drove it once, and seemed ok, and parked over night. The next morning, drove it again and noticed the steering wheel was further off center…then while driving, the center shifted in a jerk causing the jeep to veer slightly, and did this while going straight (previously only shifted in turns or bumps). For the rest of the drive, I could feel some shifting of the center point in turns and over bumps, but at least it was smoother (still some small jerks) then before installing and even the first shift. After parking back in my garage, I checked the drag link ball joint and noted that it was shifted compared to when I first installed, which leads me to believe the shift in steering is related to the drag link ball joint shifting during turns and bumps and not returning to where it was...I just have no idea why as I've had the jeep 20 years without this.
Recent changes: Lowered from a 4.5 inch spring to a 3.5 inch spring…did alignment (not full fourwheel drive) after, and measurements that weren't adjusted were off, but seemed acceptable from what I read online. I replaced the trackbar bar bushing. The lowering actually centered the axles much better, didn’t realize how far off they were from center for years, but never had issues. Also went from a heavier 35 inch wheel/tire to a similar weight 37 inch wheel/tire combo (and yes, understand the its also moment of inertia, but I don’t wheel hard, just like the look of the 37 and it makes 35 inch obstacles easier and that’s my limit).
Recent driving: Not normally my daily driver, but my GC was in shop over a month for the air suspension (I’m incredibly angry about that), so was driving on DC area roads, which are pretty bad in many areas. With the lowering and bigger tires, steering was actually significantly better than before, less bump steer, more solid, and less play. Everything felt tight, but then slowly started degrading. Believe track bar bushing was last mod I did before this issue.
Anything you can suggest would be great, or even if someone could explain exactly how (I'm an electrical engineer, so this mechanical stuff is annoying!) the TJ linkage is truly supposed to work, so that I know what I need to look for...really never had an issue like this.
I have a very frustrating and recent problem with my 2001 TJ Wrangler Sport using the rock jock steering linkages (put on maybe 7-10 years ago). It also has a PSC heavy duty box (two years), Dana 44 axles from a 2003 rubicon, the Vanco 16 inch Big Brake Kit, lighter 37 inch tires on aluminum 17 inch rims. It has the Rubicon Express 4.5 inch lift kit, with recently changed JKS 3(.5?) inch dual rate springs, with a complete control arm replacement done about 5 years ago. There's a few other mods, but think that covers anything steering related.
Here's a summary of what seems to be happening:
Issue: Steering center shifting during turning and sometimes on bumps. Initially was very dramatic quick shift, but replaced drag link ball joint, and seems smoother, but still significant. Seems related to the drag link, as when I look under the jeep after a shift, the drag link ball joint has shifted relative to the pitman arm. After removing the ball joint, feeling it, it was out of grease (ripped) and was not smooth at all, just clunk from one side to the other. Ordered the new ball joint, and felt before install, still seemed stiff, and not perfectly smooth but didn't have grease. Installed, drove it once, and seemed ok, and parked over night. The next morning, drove it again and noticed the steering wheel was further off center…then while driving, the center shifted in a jerk causing the jeep to veer slightly, and did this while going straight (previously only shifted in turns or bumps). For the rest of the drive, I could feel some shifting of the center point in turns and over bumps, but at least it was smoother (still some small jerks) then before installing and even the first shift. After parking back in my garage, I checked the drag link ball joint and noted that it was shifted compared to when I first installed, which leads me to believe the shift in steering is related to the drag link ball joint shifting during turns and bumps and not returning to where it was...I just have no idea why as I've had the jeep 20 years without this.
Recent changes: Lowered from a 4.5 inch spring to a 3.5 inch spring…did alignment (not full fourwheel drive) after, and measurements that weren't adjusted were off, but seemed acceptable from what I read online. I replaced the trackbar bar bushing. The lowering actually centered the axles much better, didn’t realize how far off they were from center for years, but never had issues. Also went from a heavier 35 inch wheel/tire to a similar weight 37 inch wheel/tire combo (and yes, understand the its also moment of inertia, but I don’t wheel hard, just like the look of the 37 and it makes 35 inch obstacles easier and that’s my limit).
Recent driving: Not normally my daily driver, but my GC was in shop over a month for the air suspension (I’m incredibly angry about that), so was driving on DC area roads, which are pretty bad in many areas. With the lowering and bigger tires, steering was actually significantly better than before, less bump steer, more solid, and less play. Everything felt tight, but then slowly started degrading. Believe track bar bushing was last mod I did before this issue.
Anything you can suggest would be great, or even if someone could explain exactly how (I'm an electrical engineer, so this mechanical stuff is annoying!) the TJ linkage is truly supposed to work, so that I know what I need to look for...really never had an issue like this.
