Steering dead spot and wandering

[Martin T.]

I just bought a 97 TJ 4.0L 5 speed. It has a 2.5" skyjacker lift, 33"s and J&J heavy duty steering stabilizer, all done by the previous owner.

When driving around, there is a pretty big dead spot in the steering from approximately 10:30pm to 1pm, which results in a lot of wandering on the highway.

Some have said you need to loosen 2 nuts on the drag link, so that needs to be adjusted. Others have said too much caster, or too much toe in.

What do the experts here recommend before I spend lots of time (and maybe money) on it? Thanks everyone!

 

[bobthetj03]

The "dead spot" in our TJ steering is a pretty common complaint. I'd start by doing a dry steer test to make sure your steering linkage and rod ends don't have any play. I've heard that you can also adjust the steering gear box but not sure how it's done or if it's recommended. Have you had an alignment done? It would be helpful to know where your toe and caster are set at.

 

[divit250r]

I just bought a 97 TJ 4.0L 5 speed. It has a 2.5" skyjacker lift, 33"s and J&J heavy duty steering stabilizer, all done by the previous owner.

When driving around, there is a pretty big dead spot in the steering from approximately 10:30pm to 1pm, which results in a lot of wandering on the highway.

Some have said you need to loosen 2 nuts on the drag link, so that needs to be adjusted. Others have said too much caster, or too much toe in.

What do the experts here recommend before I spend lots of time (and maybe money) on it? Thanks everyone!

First thing to do is have someone else get in and rock the steering wheel back and forth and look for loose / worn components.

I had similar issues with mine (4" lift & 33s). I started with a track bar that wasn't tightened on the frame side, and a drop pitman arm that had worked itself loose. The steering box on mine was wiped out, the lower bearing completely gone allowing the sector shaft to tilt from side to side. I replaced the rod end on the adjustable track bar, double nutted the bolt to the frame, put in a re-man steering gear with a standard pitman arm, and I'm actually in control of my Wrangler now! lol

Seriously, best bet is to do the steering test and just pick off the worn-out and loose stuff.

 

[StG58]

I just bought a 97 TJ 4.0L 5 speed. It has a 2.5" skyjacker lift, 33"s and J&J heavy duty steering stabilizer, all done by the previous owner.

When driving around, there is a pretty big dead spot in the steering from approximately 10:30pm to 1pm, which results in a lot of wandering on the highway.

Some have said you need to loosen 2 nuts on the drag link, so that needs to be adjusted. Others have said too much caster, or too much toe in.

What do the experts here recommend before I spend lots of time (and maybe money) on it? Thanks everyone!

Start out by checking tire pressure and toe in. You can perform both of those in your driveway. Here's a link to how to align your TJ. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-align-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.85/

If the toe in and tire pressure are good then perform a dry steering test to look for warn or damaged parts. You'll need two people. Have one person sit in the vehicle while it is running, with the transmission in park. While they are doing that, get under the front end of the vehicle (while it's still on the ground) and have them turn the steering wheel back and forth as quickly as possible. While they do that, watch all of the components move back and forth and look and listen for any loose components such as bolts, bushings, etc. If something is off, it should be pretty easy to notice.

TJ front ends aren't all that complicated and are straight forward to tune and repair. The only thing you can really set is the toe in. Good luck and let us know what you find. Oh, and a "steering stabilizer" does nothing other than keep shock loads in the steering under control. You could probably drive around without one if the front end is in good shape and set correctly. A steering stabilizer is never a proper correction for a steering problem.

 

[Chris]

Does it by chance have a drop pitman arm?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Post some good sharp well-lit (use a flash) photos of your front-end under the bumper. Show the entire steering system, Pitman arm from the side, and the driver's side track bar mount from the side where it bolts to the frame. A dead spot in the steering is commonly caused by some aftermarket steering systems.

 

[Martin T.]

Does it by chance have a drop pitman arm?

The previous owner did the following on it: new steering box (prob 2 years ago), ARB Heavy Duty steering stabilizer, Currie Tie Rod/Drag link, and stabilizer pull pins. Anything there sound suspicious? He did everything through a reputable 4x4 shop in our area, but that obviously doesn't mean it's not having an issue now.

 

[jchadscud]

Mine had the same slop in the steering you describe. After replacing a track bar bushing and a proper alignment, the steering was nice and tight.


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[Chris]

The previous owner did the following on it: new steering box (prob 2 years ago), ARB Heavy Duty steering stabilizer, Currie Tie Rod/Drag link, and stabilizer pull pins. Anything there sound suspicious? He did everything through a reputable 4x4 shop in our area, but that obviously doesn't mean it's not having an issue now.

Nope, the Currie tie rod / drag link is the best steering setup you can get for your TJ. It's likely something like @jchadscud pointed out, or something along those lines at least.

 

[Martin T.]

Mine had the same slop in the steering you describe. After replacing a track bar bushing and a proper alignment, the steering was nice and tight.


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That's what it was! Took it to a local 4x4 shop, and they said the track bar bushing was shot. Tightened it up the best they could which definitely helped, and got the part on order. Thanks everyone!

 

[jchadscud]

Awesome, it’s a big difference in the drive when the steering is tight!


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