Steering locked up on a roundabout

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Martynt74

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Was driving up to my parents, and coming off a slip road from the motorway onto a roundabout which was clear so didn't slow as much as usual when the steering completely locked up and the brakes didn't seem to work as well expected either.

Went straight into a lamppost which luckily stopped me going down a verge and back onto the motorway! Brain didn't process going to the handbrake sadly, but must've all happened in only around 5 seconds from no steering to hitting lamppost.

Front of the Jeep is a bit of a mess, but luckily the axle seems ok, so am hoping it's just a new bonnet/fender. The grill *might* be ok and straighten out. Radiator probably needs replacing and then whatever else needs putting back.

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Luckily my wife was following behind so wasn't in the car with me, and my only injury is from jarring my leg as it was slamming onto the brake pedal during the impact. Think she was more shook up than me because must be horrible to watch that happening!

Also luckily it was only a few miles from a local industrial estate with multiple garages and a Jeep supplies distribution depot.

Shame about timing really as we're in the process of building a house and so funds are limited. I'll get it repaired, but it would've been a good opportunity to throw in some upgrades/repaint in normal circumstances.
 
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TheBoogieman said:
Sorry to hear that and I'm glad you're ok. Did the engine stall and cause the steering and brake issues?
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I didn't think so, but it did happen pretty quickly. It's a 3sp automatic so chances of it stalling are virtually impossible i'd have thought. It restarted fine though and then steering and everything worked fine for me to drive it the later few miles.

Main issue being i'm about 90 miles from home at my parents, and not sure if i'm better to try and get it back home for a garage there as my parents live in a really touristy area and tourists especially seem to get ripped off for everything!
 
Martynt74 said:
I didn't think so, but it did happen pretty quickly. It's a 3sp automatic so chances of it stalling are virtually impossible i'd have thought. It restarted fine though and then steering and everything worked fine for me to drive it the later few miles.

Main issue being i'm about 90 miles from home at my parents, and not sure if i'm better to try and get it back home for a garage there as my parents live in a really touristy area and tourists especially seem to get ripped off for everything!
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Do you have antilock brakes?
 
Martynt74 said:
Was driving up to my parents, and coming off a slip road from the motorway onto a roundabout which was clear so didn't slow as much as usual when the steering completely locked up and the brakes didn't seem to work as well expected either.

Went straight into a lamppost which luckily stopped me going down a verge and back onto the motorway! Brain didn't process going to the handbrake sadly, but must've all happened in only around 5 seconds from no steering to hitting lamppost.

Front of the Jeep is a bit of a mess, but luckily the axle seems ok, so am hoping it's just a new bonnet/fender. The grill *might* be ok and straighten out. Radiator probably needs replacing and then whatever else needs putting back.

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Luckily my wife was following behind so wasn't in the car with me, and my only injury is from jarring my leg as it was slamming onto the brake pedal during the impact. Think she was more shook up than me because must be horrible to watch that happening!

Also luckily it was only a few miles from a local industrial estate with multiple garages and a Jeep supplies distribution depot.

Shame about timing really as we're in the process of building a house and so funds are limited. I'll get it repaired, but it would've been a good opportunity to throw in some upgrades/repaint in normal circumstances.
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What an odd TJ. It has the charcoal canister that in the US was a 97 only thing but the frame says it is a 98. You'll likely need some new control arms. The impact bent the control arm mount for the lower on the right side so the arm may be compromised as well. I would also give the ball joints, trackbar, and steering links some very intent scrutiny. It would be odd in that sort of an impact for them to not suffer some ill effect.

If you find someone who works on axles and does welding, IRO makes some of the best lower control arm mounts. They don't have slots for cam bolts so they may not be the best option in that regard.
 
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macleanflood said:
Tub looks good. Frame is in question. All fixable.
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Yes on the frame but given that it just clipped the end of the front bumper and slid between there and the tire, I "think" the frame missed being highly damaged. The lack of wrinkles where the fender bolts to the tub is very surprising since most any front end collision tends to ruin the tub right there.
 
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mrblaine said:
What an odd TJ. It has the charcoal canister that in the US was a 97 only thing but the frame says it is a 98. You'll likely need some new control arms. The impact bent the control arm mount for the lower on the right side so the arm may be compromised as well. I would also give the ball joints, trackbar, and steering links some very intent scrutiny. It would be odd in that sort of an impact for them to not suffer some ill effect.

If you find someone who works on axles and does welding, IRO makes some of the best lower control arm mounts. They don't have slots for cam bolts so they may not be the best option in that regard.
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Cheers, guess it's some European anomoly?

I think the control arm was always bent, the left one certainly was before it was fixed around December. Although whether the garage only "bent" it back could potentially account for the failure.

I've got it at a garage on the industrial estate now who are getting it up on the ramp today. However there's a place around 50 miles away which is a 4x4 specialist. Am wondering whether they might be a better option. Just nervous driving it down there as whilst it does physically drive mostly fine. I'd be worried about another failure.
 
Ouch, got the quote from the local Jeep supplier.

It's not too bad, until you get to needing a new sway bar, and the supplier only has the Currie Anti Rock bar which is more aimed at off road which i have no need for.

Currently debating whether it makes sense to order all parts from the US and see if shipping makes it viable over all? Anyone have any good suggestions?
 
Junkyard parts? I'd stick with Currie...but if you're good with bent control arms... although most of the Jeeps here are picked clean fast.

-Mac
 
macleanflood said:
Junkyard parts? I'd stick with Currie...but if you're good with bent control arms... although most of the Jeeps here are picked clean fast.

-Mac
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My concern was mainly aimed at Currie being more geared for off roading. Would it still be still enough for road use?

I'm also debating whether to fit some slightly wider fenders as it was on the agenda at some point anyway. Are spacers a terrible idea to avoid initially having to buy new wheels/tyres right away?

I'm likely looking around €4k at current repairs and with building a house, adding to that isn't going to work too well.
 
Building a shop right now so I feel for you...all my Jeep extras are on hold...only thing I'm spending money on is keeping it running parts.

Currie is great on the street. And off-road. It's beefier than stock, therefore more rugged...and has better links and geometry.

-Mac

P.S. Not a fan of wheel spacers but lots of people use them. Properly installed with Loctite and torqued and checked frequently and you'll probably be fine.
 
Martynt74 said:
Ouch, got the quote from the local Jeep supplier.

It's not too bad, until you get to needing a new sway bar, and the supplier only has the Currie Anti Rock bar which is more aimed at off road which i have no need for.

Currently debating whether it makes sense to order all parts from the US and see if shipping makes it viable over all? Anyone have any good suggestions?
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I don’t know how the parts stores are over there,but what about a grand Cherokee zj bar?
 
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If you drive the Jeep mainly on the street, stay with the factory sway bar. I’m sure if you post a wanted add, someone here has one to get rid of. They are one of the first things to go when you really start to build a wheeling rig.
 
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Martynt74 said:
My concern was mainly aimed at Currie being more geared for off roading. Would it still be still enough for road use?

....
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The Antirock will allow more body roll than the stock sway bar does. While many, including myself, have daily driven one, it is an odd recommendation from the shop to make for you.
 
Martynt74 said:
My concern was mainly aimed at Currie being more geared for off roading. Would it still be still enough for road use?
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It is a much softer rate. If you don't mind more body roll, (all things being equal), then the Anti-rock is fine. If you like the lesser body roll of the stock swaybar, then it won't be fine.
Martynt74 said:
I'm also debating whether to fit some slightly wider fenders as it was on the agenda at some point anyway.
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Fenders or flares? Flares bolt to the front fenders and rear fender well openings.
Martynt74 said:
Are spacers a terrible idea to avoid initially having to buy new wheels/tyres right away?
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Yes and no- no if you move the tires out past a reasonable backspacing and mess up the steering response.
Martynt74 said:
I'm likely looking around €4k at current repairs and with building a house, adding to that isn't going to work too well.
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Mike_H said:
If you drive the Jeep mainly on the street, stay with the factory sway bar. I’m sure if you post a wanted add, someone here has one to get rid of. They are one of the first things to go when you really start to build a wheeling rig.
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I have many, I just don't know about the overseas shipping.
 
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