Help. please.

[texasjeepyall]

steering is insanely loose, here's the culprit.

what do i do?!


jeep was bought this way about 11 years ago, was hardly driven because of the horrendous steering. i know the blocks have to go, but some people tell me it needs more than that without getting specific.. any help is appreciated

its a 79 CJ5 .

 

[tarry99]

steering is insanely loose, here's the culprit.

what do i do?!


jeep was bought this way about 11 years ago, was hardly driven because of the horrendous steering. i know the blocks have to go, but some people tell me it needs more than that without getting specific.. any help is appreciated

its a 79 CJ5 .

Do a search on this site for steering help............there is some good information.

 

[rockinreel]

I replaced every thing in the steering (I mean every thing) and my jeep still wondered all over the road. Next I replaced my worn out tires and BAM! 80% better drivability. A pinned posting tells explains a lot about steering and deters you from replacing all the parts like I did.

I know the steering box adjustment screw takes the play out of the steering wheel, but don't expect it to fix any other "ailment".

Shackles will cripple your steering. I bought extended shackles and they move/give during steering causing the jeep to sway back and forth while steering. Have someone turn the steering wheel while you look at the front shackles. I took them off and even my short shackles would give left and right while steering, but no way near as bad... I replaced the bushings also in the shackles and shackle mounts, no help.

I have concluded that I cannot get desirable steering unless I lower the jeep back to original factory specs.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

I think you might be jumping to that conclusion. I am no expert here but have a couple of thoughts for you.

1 there are plenty of lifted jeeps here with the members that steer just fine.
2 you not only have a SOA but on blocks to boot.
3 you have non-stock suspension and stock steering, one custom / one stock will cause some issues.
4 you said you replaces everything to do with steering but then said you later replaced tires. Tires are a huge part of the steering. What all did you do?

Don't give up on the rig, although I would at least remove the blocks. There are many options you just have to look at each component. Here are a couple things to think about and research, someone here will probably have info too.

Tie rod flip
High steer knuckles
Drop pitman arm
Power steering upgrade
Ditch the blocks
Shorter shackles


Have you:
Had the knuckles apart to check for ware?
Have you rebuild the steering box?
Has the steering system already been modified?
What specifically did you replace/ change in the system?


Troy Cantrell
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Build thread - '66 CJ6 :
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15075

 

[Old Dog]

I'd for sure get rid of the blocks, than I'd think of getting rid of the SOA. especially since you have a CJ5 .
If you really want to keep the SOA my advice would be to get flat top knuckles and high steer arms. IMO that's the only correct way to do SOA.
Other than that just start looking for wore out steering parts.
PS. a tie rod flip will not work with SOA.

 

[Hedgehog]

You also have darned near collapsed springs. I deffinately would look at re-arching the springs or getting replacements of some sort.

Here's a trick on tires. Even if they are brand new, tires can vary quite a bit in height. Measure your tires and adjust their height with air pressure. Get your tires close in height/size. Your handling might improve.

 

[Scooter402]

Might be from camera angle, but it looks to me by the angle of the spring vs. the frame that there might be some scary long shackles up front, too. I'd get rid of those quick.

I had a problem with loose steering/death wobble when I first went SOA with my CJ. It was because the stock steering box mounts were worn/cracked. I put a 3/8" thick HD steering box mount, and this solved my problem.

 

[97DieselVT]

Might be from camera angle, but it looks to me by the angle of the spring vs. the frame that there might be some scary long shackles up front, too. I'd get rid of those quick.

I had a problem with loose steering/death wobble when I first went SOA with my CJ. It was because the stock steering box mounts were worn/cracked. I put a 3/8" thick HD steering box mount, and this solved my problem.

i second this motion...does wonders for steering

 

[Kane]

Those block are a dangerous addition! Get ride of them asap. Then get your caster set to -6 degrees. That is factory spec. Adjust your toe in to about 1/8". This will set you up to steer and stay going straight. Please please pull them blocks. If they pop out under hard braking you are going to find a fast way to flipping and endangering many people along the way.