76 cj7 steering issues

[TheOther]

Hello,

I don't know where to start with this one. This jeep is all but undriveable. Bringing it home the other day was down right frightening... it almost picks it's own direction. The steering is really loose and will get "tighter" every now and then.

Anyone know where/how I should start to fix this?

Here are some pics.

 

[Torxhead]

Check this:http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/troubleshooting-correcting-your-steering-4106/

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Looks like a dropped pitman arm would be good here also.
LG

 

[KC2RFD]

I had a similar problem. you have to check all suspension parts, ball joints tie rod ends leaf spring shackles and bushings, stabilizer shock steering shaft joints gearbox bolts and brackets.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Have the front end check'd by an alignment shop ASAP!
Bet your camber and toe-in is way out of spec.
LG

 

[IOPort51]

easy answer, get rid of the spring over axle. Sounds to me as the castor angle on the front axle is not where it should be. SOA seems like a cheep easy way to get a lot of lift, it isn't.

 

[tarry99]

Hello,

I don't know where to start with this one. This jeep is all but undriveable. Bringing it home the other day was down right frightening... it almost picks it's own direction. The steering is really loose and will get "tighter" every now and then.

Anyone know where/how I should start to fix this?

Lots of things wrong with that front suspension:

Starting with the spring over:
Looks to have terrible Bump Steer , Just by looking at the angle of the drag link going down hill from the steering gear box to the spindle.....needs to be close to parallel to the tie rod below to be correct.

Someone has already done a dropped Pittman arm so that is not the problem , neither is alignment at this point in time! Perhaps a tie-rod flip out at the spindles may help.........but I doubt there is enough clearance to get around the springs...........

The correct way for steering on a spring over suspension is to use a set of high steer spindles ( like the ones pictured here , for a Dana 30 or Dana 44 axle ) these allow the steering Drag Link and Tie rod to remain on top on a level plane with no clearance problems with the springs.............Due to the shims shown in the spring packs I assume someone has already tried to address the Castor........but who knows? But yet failed to fix the most important part...........the Steering!

Common problem when folks install things that do not know what there doing!

Fix the steering and it will be fine.........a routine check off all the rubber mounts in the springs front and rear and also the ball joints and tie rods ends should also be done............

 

[TheOther]

Would something like this work
http://www.rocky-road.com/cj-high-steer.html

This seems like it is going to be really expensive to rectify and keep the SOA... how difficult is it going to be to put it back?

 

[tarry99]

Would something like this work
CJ High Steer: Jeep CJ High Steer, knuckle over steering system

This seems like it is going to be really expensive to rectify and keep the SOA... how difficult is it going to be to put it back?

Your on the right track........that may very will fix you right up........but call them first and discuss what you have, and make sure your brakes will work......looks like you would also have to change the Pittman Arm back to a non-dropped version.........

As far as going back.......a non lifted CJ would have a hard time fitting 35" tires under the fenders, so after you moved the spring hangers back on the axle and shock mounts back , you would then probably need a spring lift kit in order to run those tires............Might be a toss up either way.....but I'm standing here and you there so I cannot see the complete picture.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Would something like this work
CJ High Steer: Jeep CJ High Steer, knuckle over steering system

This seems like it is going to be really expensive to rectify and keep the SOA... how difficult is it going to be to put it back?

All depends on how much YOU can do yourownself-
You will have to give up the 35's for sure-
Terry-Sure didn't look like the p'arm was drop'd in that picture to me. Glad you see it
LG

 

[Old Dog]

Who ever did that SOA had no idea what they were doing.
As Tarry said the correct way is with high steer knuckles,
BUT it looks like you need to redo the whole SOA set-up, it looks scary to me.
IMO Going to SUA and a 4" lift would be a safer & cheaper way to keep the 35's.

 

[jdcaples]

Are the thick side of the caster shims facing forward?

-Jon

 

[TheOther]

The shims appear to be even? I'll have to double check.

I did replace the tie rod end on the drag link and it helped out alot. The old one was completely shot. I also replaced the steering damper. It appeared as it the old one was on backwards as well...

Also have new sway bar bushings. They didn't fit so they will go back to amazon.

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[Lumpy Grits]

You can't correctly use the OEM sway bar with that lift.
The lift was "BUBBA" at work-
Bet you haven't had it to a alignment shop yet, either-
LG

 

[TheOther]

Yeah I havent. It's been sitting for the most part. I will get there though

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