Help with my wandering issue

[mattp1788]

Here is what I got a 79 CJ7 with 4" lift. When I bought the jeep it was stock height and drove great as soon as I put the lift on now this things wanders all over the road. I have been doing some research and everyone said that just adding a spring lift will not affect anything but I guess mine did... I didn't replace with longer shackles, I put on new steering box, shaft, ball joints, tie rod, everything in the front end is brand new and it still wanders. I was thinking of trying the degree wedges to see but wasn't for sure if that would help... Any advice someone can give me would be great!

 

[PaRenegade]

That's the first thing I would check. Everyone likes to blame longer shackles for steering / caster issues but springs can cause it too. Get an angle gauge and check the caster on it. Should be close to 6 degrees positive. Also go over all your bolts with the frame jacked up so the wt. is off the suspension and axle, and check torque.
My next concern would be the steering box. Was it a brand new box? Are all the box mounting bolts tight to spec?

 

[mattp1788]

Yes I replaced the box with a brand new one and added a heavy duty steering box brace, and torqued everything to specs... Can you tell me how to check caster with a angle finder not for sure how to do that?

 

[gert]

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

 

[Scooter402]

Yes I replaced the box with a brand new one and added a heavy duty steering box brace, and torqued everything to specs... Can you tell me how to check caster with a angle finder not for sure how to do that?

I was going to say check your steering box mounting brackets...they're thin, stamped steel, and they seem to fatigue and crack (at least in my own experience). I replaced mine with a HD steering box mount, made from 3/8" steel. That alone solved my wandering issue when I went to SOA on 40s and full widths some years ago. I'd have someone steer your wheel back and forth while you look under the front end for anything loose or moving like they shouldn't.

 

[PaRenegade]

mattp - You check it based on the flat top of the steering knuckle or the castle nut on top of it. You want the imaginary line running thru the top and bottom ball joints to be tilted slightly back at the top, forward at the bottom, compared to vertical. It should be right around 6 degrees but check your spec for your specific year.

 

[mattp1788]

Thanks for all the info when I get home I will check to see what it is set at

 

[DanielD]

PaRenegade, can you upload a picture a bit farther back? I have the same wandering issue and would like to check this. I dont see exactly where your angle meter is sitting.

I can tell you right now your front end is pristine compared to the greasy mess I have under there!

 

[BusaDave9]

Shackle bushings
Are they new?
See if you can turn the steering wheel back and forth before the front tires start to more. If so see if you can tell where the free play is.

 

[ftwflh]

Did you put on a drop pitman arm?Your steering components need to be close to the same

 

[Mark W]

I put on new steering box, shaft, ball joints, tie rod, everything in the front end is brand new and it still wanders.

If you have improper alignment in your toe angle mostly toe out it will wander on you also how much does it wander? does it wander all the time?

 

[mattp1788]

I had it aligned after the lift bit I didn't get a print out of what the set it at, it does have a dropped pitman arm and the front drag link and all suspension linkages are parrell to each other so I am just thinking it may just be caster!

 

[PaRenegade]

PaRenegade, can you upload a picture a bit farther back? I have the same wandering issue and would like to check this. I dont see exactly where your angle meter is sitting.

I can tell you right now your front end is pristine compared to the greasy mess I have under there!

Sorry, I missed this question. I don't get on the computer much on the weekends. I don't have another picture, I got that off the net. Which also means that's not my front end. However, mine is just as clean, but disassembled still due to my rebuild.

As to where it's at. It's the big castle nut for the top ball joint which sits right behind the brake rotor dust shield. Can't miss it, theres probably a big cotter pin in it (or should have). Make sure it sets on the flat of the nut's top or the flat of the steering knuckle, not on any of the ball joint stud that may be sticking up.

 

[BusaDave9]

Here's an illustration of the Caster angle.

With more caster the vehicle is more stable.
A jeep CJ should be about 6°
If their is too little caster the steering will be twitchy, as if the vehicle wants to turn too readily. A sports car has less caster than a Jeep but the sports car has tight suspension and low profile tires.


When you measure this, you need to make sure you are on level ground.

 

[1980greenmeaniecj5]

My Jeep also wanders really bad. If I go over a dip or rut in the road at 50-60mph it can be quite scary. Thanks to all for posting! I'm currently in the process of building a HD steering box mount and brace and I'm getting rid of the junk/non serviceable u-joint in the steering shaft. It's loose and a junk design to start with so I'm going with some u-joints from a pto driveshaft. In addition to the great info mentioned already I would check out the steering shaft - I have two of them and my parts pile one is worse than the one on my driver.

 

[BusaDave9]

My Jeep also wanders really bad. If I go over a dip or rut in the road at 50-60mph it can be quite scary.

This could be bump steer. Make sure the drag link is close to being horizontal.