86 CJ7 w/4" lift steering issue

[Chip Day]

I'm new here and need some assistance. Have a 1986 CJ7 bought new in 1985, garage kept and driven occasionally. Put 2.5 Skyjacker soft ride on in 1996 with 33's and had no issues. Decided recently to go to a 4" lift while giving it a makeover. Went to 4-wheel Parts in Coppell Texas for purchase and install of the best 4" lift on market. While they were at it, check and replace TRE if needed. They put a ProComp lift on and replaced TRE's. Picked it up and although a little sticker shocked, it looked fantastic. Drove toward house and the steering was SQUIRRELLY! Tires were badly worn so I replaced them before getting home. Putting around town, no problems but at highway speed, it's hard, almost impossible to keep in my lane. Took it back to 4-wheel Parts and they can't identify a problem. One mechanic said that Jeeps are notorious for irratic steering and I call BULL. The new drivers side TRE grease boot ripped and fell off and while inspecting I observed that that TRE is cocked, doesn't look normal.
Can anyone help diagnose the problem and solution?

 

[Old Dog]

Went to 4-wheel Parts

IMHO that was the first and biggest problem

for purchase and install of the best 4" lift on market. While they were at it, check and replace TRE if needed. They put a ProComp lift on and replaced TRE's.

Pro Comp is a long way fron the best lift on the market


Took it back to 4-wheel Parts and they can't identify a problem. One mechanic said that Jeeps are notorious for irratic steering and I call BULL. The new drivers side TRE grease boot ripped and fell off and while inspecting I observed that that TRE is cocked, doesn't look normal.
Can anyone help diagnose the problem and solution?

That TRE could be the problem or at least part of it.
can you post some pic of the front lift and steering?

...

 

[Chip Day]

As soon as I pick it up Monday, I will post some pics. Beginning to feel I've been had!

 

[diddy2003]

Not like it would help, but was it aligned after all the work? When I put my lift on it was way out of alignment after the install.

 

[Chip Day]

It was aligned properly after the install. Have the documentation to prove the caster and camber settings before and after.

 

[Old Dog]

What do the numbers look like just out of curiosity.

 

[AussieCJ7]

The new drivers side TRE grease boot ripped and fell off and while inspecting I observed that that TRE is cocked, doesn't look normal.
Can anyone help diagnose the problem and solution?

This is the bit that worries me

what is the angle between tie rod and drag link a photo will really help, did they put on a drop pitman arm ?

but as old dog said what castor angle did they get on the wheel alignment ??

 

[Chip Day]

Not sure if it worked but I uploaded the alignment form so ya'll could see the results.

 

[AussieCJ7]

Not sure if it worked but I uploaded the alignment form so ya'll could see the results.

So the most critical measurement and they left it out castor

This will have a huge effect on tracking down the road and the return to center feel

Also the steering geometry is still a question ???

 

[hole]

You might want to take it to another alignment shop and see what they come up with.Just a guess, but I think some shims will help.

 

[PaRenegade]

The alignment results are only showing "before" and not after. I'm thinking, and I think the other posters are as well, 2 possible things that come to mind first. Your caster is off, which should be about 6degrees and can be fixed with caster shims. And bump steer issues could also be the cause. If there is a significant angle to the drag link that's usually the culprit. A dropped pitman arm, or better yet a flipped TRE at the wheel end of the drag link should fix this. You want the drag link as close to horizontal as possible, like your tie rod is.

 

[Old Dog]

So the most critical measurement and they left it out castor

This will have a huge effect on tracking down the road and the return to center feel

Also the steering geometry is still a question ???

Why would they leave out the castor, thats what we really needed to see.
I agree with hole, take it to someone that didn't do the work on it for some real numbers.
Pix might still help us some.

 

[canuckcj5]

Chances are you need a alignment and prolly have too much toe in which would cause the squirlly driving, and ya total bull on the shop telling u it's a jeep thing, my old xj had 38's on it and I could do 100 down the highway without holding onto the wheel,

 

[Chip Day]

Latest update: my salesman told me they are replacing the front and rear shackles. The store manager drove it and said there is definitely something wrong. Will be back to check on it in another week and will update. They still have not said a word about the caster.

 

[Chip Day]

So here is the latest update:

They have checked the caster. It was negative and they took it to positive. The replaced the steering box because they felt a flat spot at center. The drive improved but it's still not right.

Any thoughts from anyone???

 

[CJ]

The castor was negative and the took it to positive? How in the heck did they do that? The only way to adjust castor is to cut and welled the axle or to use castor shims under the springs.

A CJ requires 6 degrees castor.


Sorry that I just saw this thread but that is a fact.

 

[cyberworm]

Hey. Sorry to threadjack, but I'm having the same problems with my 84 CJ7 . She's got a 4" lift (suspension) and 33" tires. It seems like as soon as I get close to 40mph, she wants to go all over the road. It's got power steering, so I can see how that would make it a bit touchy, but I am looking for other answers as well, or maybe the ones already provided here will do the trick. I just bought her, with the lift already on, so I dion't know if it was aligned properly or not. After reading this thread, that will be my next stop to have checked out.

Also, was wondering if these shackles are too long/affecting the steering?

 

[canuckcj5]

Your shackles on the front are Horrible, usually 5* angle is best for your shackle that looks like a negative angle and I bet it rides like !


In other words, yes it's bad,

 

[Old Dog]

usually anything over 5" bolt to bolt will cause problems. Those look to long and as already said the angle is way wrong.

 

[cyberworm]

Heh. I guess I should have clarified a little bit. That shackle I posted a photo of is the rear shackle. I just confirmed with a friend of mine, what I suspected. The rear is too long. What angle are you referring to in regards to the front shackle?