need some steering help

[chrsbigun]

hey guys i have a 1979 CJ7 i think it has a 4 inch lift ( it was already lifted when i bought it ) it has 35 in mud tires the problem is some times while driving down the road it will start jerking back and fourth across the road very very bad i have to drive it slow cause the only way to make it stop is slam on breaks and slow way down all the linkages are tight the gear box has a little play in it but not much i was told that it may be the way my front axle is sitting cause the front leafs have began to dearch so the axle has rolled forward and changed the angle it steers any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Scooter402]

Do you have a shackle reversal in the front? That's the only way that springs de-arching would start causing a caster angle issue. But still, caster would not have anything to do with the dreaded "death wobble", which is what your problem is. Caster only has some to do with handling/steering when coming back off of a corner, as it aids in the steering to automatically return to center.

You already pinpointed your cause -- the play in the steering box. Do you mean that there is play in your wheel, or that the steering box moves around some while steering?

I would inspect your steering box mounting brackets. In my experience, these fatigue and crack at the mounting holes because they are so thin. I would pull these brackets and replace with a HD steering box mount. I did that with mine, and it solved my death wobble issues.

While you're checking things out, you should jack up your front end, inspect ALL tie rod ends, from the pitman arm all the way down. Any play at all and they should be replaced. Next, check your ball joints. Don't let ANYone convince you that a steering stabilizer will remedy this -- it's only a band-aid. Many of us run our jeeps without stabilizers, and they handle straight and true all day long.


Oh, and welcome. :ww:

 

[Torxhead]

Chrsbigun, You mention that you have to "Slam" on the brakes to get it to stop. If you still have the oem type brakes, and even in good condition, are hard pressed to stop a Jeep with 35" tires. Since they came with a 28" tire, the increase in weight and diameter can change the stopping ability a bit, also will affect the speedometer reading. Just installing a 4" spring lift has quite an effect on the front and rear geometry.

 

[PaRenegade]

Sounds like one of your front axle u-joints is dried out and froze up. Had the same issue years ago and chased my tail for days trying to figure it out. Still makes little sense but that ended up being the issue and solving the problem. And that was with the hubs unlocked too (and an open diff).

 

[mtnwhlr]

Sounds like bad ball joints to me. Been there done that.

 

[chrsbigun]

thanks for all the tips and on the gear box part it has play in the steering wheel the gear box is mounted tight and ill check my ball joints and all linkages from pittman arm down and ill have to check the u joints also it has been sitting up for a while so thats a possibility i drove it all day today and never had a problem but iv learnt how to drive it to keep it from doing it ill update yall when i get a chance to check all this and anymore tips would help thanks again

 

[Old Dog]

Part of your problem could even be your tires making it wobble, check the balance and the air pressure.