What is this and what does it do

[Thumper4fun]

Check out the pic below. What is this and what does it do? It's on the front lower control arm. The reason I ask is my TJ is pulling to the right. I've checked and double checked the toe, air pressure in the tires and to make sure all the bolts in the front suspension are torque properly but I still have a pull/drift to the right. Looking for anything that could cause this issue.

 

[Hoaglandcm]

That’s the factory caster adjustment bracket.

But it appears you have aftermarket bolts/washers that delete the caster adjustment. The factory bolts were known to move/come loose with hard wheeling and are not needed if you have adjustable control arms.

Pull/drift diagnosis: first rotate your tires front to back to make sure you don’t have a radial pull from a tire.

Does it pull harder under braking?

Does it pull no matter what lane you are in? The crown of the road can induce some crazy pull

 

[Thumper4fun]

I've rotated tires and the pull is not crown related - tried it on several different types or roads and surfaces from interstate, highways, paved back roads & dirt roads. Don't notice the pull being worse under braking but it does seem to be worse in 4WD.

I don't have adjustable LCAs but I do have the LCAs included in the RC 4" lift package.

 

[Hoaglandcm]

Adjustable uppers?

An actual alignment may be the only way to get a known quantity for your caster settings...and verification that the axles are sitting square.

Does it have lockers? Vacuum enacted? Just trying to get an idea of what the asymmetric inputs could be.

 

[Thumper4fun]

No adjustable uppers or lockers

 

[Hoaglandcm]

Then I’d definitely get it to an alignment shop next.

Recommend one that you can will let you come back for a second visit.

If you have solid non-adjustable uppers and non-adjustable lowers with camber adjustment delete bolts it’s likely the camber is out of specs that could easily add to all sorts of steering issues from twitchy feel if it’s took tall Or a pull from incorrect cross camber settings one side to the other.

 

[Thumper4fun]

I thought the only thing adjustable on our TJs is toe. I've got the toe set properly so I don't want to waste a trip and the money at the alignment shop if there will be no net gain.

 

[AndyG]

Make sure the stabilizer doesn't have a weird catch , the gas charged ones cause them to pull left slightly . A catch could cause it to drift right , it's unlikely but possible.

Definitely jack the wheel and be sure it spins freely and check the brake when it's up , a sticky caliper is possible .

Don't let up til you find it .

 

[mrblaine]

That’s the factory caster adjustment bracket.

But it appears you have aftermarket bolts/washers that delete the caster adjustment. The factory bolts were known to move/come loose with hard wheeling and are not needed if you have adjustable control arms.

To clarify, around 98-99, the front lower control arm bolts from the factory were all switched to non eccentric with round washers with a hole in the center like the picture shows. To adjust caster after those years with the lowers, one would have to acquire the eccentric bolts and install them.

 

[mrblaine]

I thought the only thing adjustable on our TJs is toe. I've got the toe set properly so I don't want to waste a trip and the money at the alignment shop if there will be no net gain.

Toe is the only easy adjustable. Caster and camber are also adjustable with the right parts.

There isn't a toe setting from about 3" in to 3" out that will cause a pull though. The tires both wind up at the same angle going down the road once you start driving.

As mentioned, front caliper dragging, rear drum or caliper dragging, shot bushing in a control arm, bad balljoints, etc. can cause a pull.

When does it pull and which direction?

 

[Thumper4fun]

When does it pull and which direction?

The pull is to the right (passenger side of the Jeep). It's a constant tug and if I let go of the wheel it will take me to the ditch. I have tried a multitude of surfaces and the pull is always there. Low speed, mid-range speed & interstate speed (~75 mph) all pull to the right. I've checked tire pressure, rotated tires, checked the brake calipers and the drum brakes. Re-torqued all the suspension and steering components, checked for worn or damaged bushings as well as bent or damaged suspension/steering components. I recently (December) re-geared and replaced all the bearings in the front axle. Jeep has never been in an accident or off-roaded before I got it. This has really has me stumped....

 

[Hoaglandcm]

until you actually know the alignment specs aren’t contributing, you will just be hunting for a bad part....that may or may not even be there.

Is this a new to you TJ? Was anything done recently just before the pull started?

You can Jack it up spin all the wheels listen for drag

You can get a digital laser thermometer and drive it and check the temp of each disk and caliper to find out if one is dragging

 

[mrblaine]

The pull is to the right (passenger side of the Jeep). It's a constant tug and if I let go of the wheel it will take me to the ditch. I have tried a multitude of surfaces and the pull is always there. Low speed, mid-range speed & interstate speed (~75 mph) all pull to the right. I've checked tire pressure, rotated tires, checked the brake calipers and the drum brakes. Re-torqued all the suspension and steering components, checked for worn or damaged bushings as well as bent or damaged suspension/steering components. I recently (December) re-geared and replaced all the bearings in the front axle. Jeep has never been in an accident or off-roaded before I got it. This has really has me stumped....

Is the steering wheel perfectly centered?

 

[Thumper4fun]

Not sure I'm capable of perfectly centering my steering wheel but it is pretty darn close to perfect. Will the steering wheel being off center create a pull or just give the illusion of a pull?

 

[mrblaine]

Not sure I'm capable of perfectly centering my steering wheel but it is pretty darn close to perfect. Will the steering wheel being off center create a pull or just give the illusion of a pull?

It will or can pull very much to one side if isn't centered.

 

[Thumper4fun]

To clarify, around 98-99, the front lower control arm bolts from the factory were all switched to non eccentric with round washers with a hole in the center like the picture shows. To adjust caster after those years with the lowers, one would have to acquire the eccentric bolts and install them.

Thanks for taking the time to help. I'm going to replace my tie rod with the XJ version and try to pick up and install some of those eccentric bolts. Would you happen to have a part # or recommendation for the eccentric bolts?

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks for taking the time to help. I'm going to replace my tie rod with the XJ version and try to pick up and install some of those eccentric bolts. Would you happen to have a part # or recommendation for the eccentric bolts?

The XJ version is nearly identical to the TJ version. I don't use the eccentric bolts but I may have a set in the take-off bolt section if you want them?

 

[Thumper4fun]

That should have been ZJ not XJ. Thank you for the kind offer. Going to go over a few more things on the suspension tonight and if I can't isolate the root cause I may take you up on your offer.