Steering Question

[Breto31]

Check the upper control arm bushing on back of the diff, it appears cocked/unseated- you don’t want any excess axle movement.

Looks normal to me, I think.

 

[AndyG]

Looks normal to me, I think.

View attachment 274345

Yes

 

[Breto31]

I’m starting to think my steering box might be going bad. My wheel doesn’t return to center - I’d say it returns to about 70% of center. Theres also a little play in the wheel left to right, maybe about 1” either way. When I had my DPA removed, they told me they thought the steering box could be going bad because it had some play in it.

 

[AndyG]

I’m starting to think my steering box might be going bad. My wheel doesn’t return to center - I’d say it returns to about 70% of center. Theres also a little play in the wheel left to right, maybe about 1” either way. When I had my DPA removed, they told me they thought the steering box could be going bad because it had some play in it.

Could be low caster on the return to the center

 

[Breto31]

Could be low caster on the return to the center

If I end up replacing the steering box, I’m going to adjust the caster to 6 degrees as well. It’s a little low at 5 degrees (4” suspension on 33’s).

Maybe I should have the caster angle adjusted before replacing the steering box to see if it cures my “darting” issue?

 

[Breto31]

I feel like I should know this, but do upper or lower CA’s change the caster? I called an alignment shop and asked if they could adjust the caster angle. All I said was, “I have adjustable control arms on my jeep. Can you guys adjust the caster to 6* for me?”….. They said they could, but that the lowers affected the caster more. I thought it was the other way around.

EDIT: I don’t have a 4x4 shop within 100 miles of me, so an alignment shop will have to do. Most mechanics around here source the alignments and stuff out the same places I’m calling.

 

[Tim_with_the_tj]

I feel like I should know this, but do upper or lower CA’s change the caster? I called an alignment shop and asked if they could adjust the caster angle. All I said was, “I have adjustable control arms on my jeep. Can you guys adjust the caster to 6* for me?”….. They said they could, but that the lowers affected the caster more. I thought it was the other way around.

EDIT: I don’t have a 4x4 shop within 100 miles of me, so an alignment shop will have to do. Most mechanics around here source the alignments and stuff out the same places I’m calling.

Some earlier TJs had caster adjustments built into the stock lower arms. In my experience it makes a very small difference in caster. Most people use their adjustable upper control arms to set the caster more effectively.