Nothing Over 50 MPH!

Nothing Over 50 MPH!
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TarheelCJ

Jeeper
Posts
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Location
Coronado, CA
Vehicle(s)
1979 CJ-7 Renegade, 304, D20, Dana 30 front/20 rear.
Okay, I just got a SOA done and have 35X12.50's. This is my first JEEP of my own and had the money to do it. I have also only had the JEEP for a short time. Okay.... so I pick it up from the shop and love it. The problem is as soon as I get up to speed it to me is almost undriveable. Its all over the place, lane to lane... every bump shoots me to one side or the other.
I changed the rims 15X8's to 15X10 and that helped a little.... The shop says this is what happens with a big lift on a narrow track. No $h!#.... I'm not an idiot. I have examined the steering which seems to have play in the wheel of two or three inches before it seems to engauge. I have taken it to another shop also and they confirmed the steering is okay, but recommended that I look at the steering box. I am looking at putting 1.5 spacers in hopes that will help. I know about the stresses they put on the components, but I am wondering if the extra width will help in my steering? Its so bad that I will not drive over the Coronado Bridge to base in the Jeep and its killing me.
Sorry for the novel...... I have searched the forums for days and days, any thoughts? :confused:
 
Two quick things that would be the culprit of an installer not doing the right things. When they swapped the axle under the Jeep they did not set the correct caster angle of 5-8 degrees. This will make you jeep wander like mad and is very dangerous. Second is the angle of the steering linkage from the box to the knuckle. It should be almost parallel to the axle. A drop pitman arm and or high steer will fix this issue as well. But you are on the right track with fixing the steering box allot of play won't help. It wont cause your wander though if you caster is set correctly.
 
I think Kane is on the right trak here, bad install. Can you post some pics of the front steering and axle.
 
TarheelCJ said:
steering which seems to have play in the wheel of two or three inches before it seems to engauge.
Click to expand...
Lay on your back under the front end and have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth. You should see where the free play is. My guess is the shackles. You may see the steering linkages move back and forth an simply push on the axle before turning the wheels. If so you should replace the shackles and bushings.
 
The Caster is the biggest. I asked them to verify, but I'm not sure if they did it correctly. I was under it today and was checking to see what was loose, turning, or not... etc. I have been chasing a "no dash lights" gremlin all day today. I will take some pictures tomorrow morning and post them as soon as I can figure out how to post. Also... I have a drop pitman arm installed. I have looked at the high steer online but want to take this step by step before dropping another 500 bucks.

Kane I was looking at the linkage and all. I don't have anything that "runs" parallel with the axle. I will go verify tonight, but again, the pictures will help yall see what I'm working with.
 
Is the problem caster or free play?
To find out turn the steering wheel back and forth when the jeep is parked. See if you have free play before the tires start to turn.
 
Busa, to answer your question of caster or free play.... I'm not sure of the caster degrees currently, but the free play is there. I got under it and nothing looks to be moving out of wack, but the steering wheel can be moved back and forth two/maybe three inches.... before anything engauges. I've also attached some pic's of my current situation.
 

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The pictures could be deceiving but it looks like the steering knuckles are pointing on a down ward slope. Also I can see that the differential is angled up to reduce the drive shaft angle. If that is the case then the installer did not cut and rotate the knuckles to bring the caster back to where it needs to be. Generally the front axle doesn't get the same treatment as the rear end when it comes to the drive shaft angle. With that type of caster you are looking at a very scary steering set up and dangerous.
 
The picture is not the best then. The JEEP is parked on a slight decline thus the downward angle of the knuckles. I will get a level shot today in the daylight and repost.
 
If nothing else you will have some realy bad bump steer with that set-up.
Looks like the "shop" did it as cheap as possable instead of doing it right, to bad theres places that do work like that.
 
I would be willing to bet your drag ling ball ends are near or at there limit on movement just sitting there, start twisting the suspension and with no movement left they will fail or bend the link. Ball ends have a very Limited movement.
 
Agree. I'm looking at doing the tie rod flip and a high steer now to correct my issues. But I don't want to do this on a Dana 30 . .....but as we speak I am researching an alternator.... I just made it home before my yellow top died. Radio shut off, then lights went dim...no it won't start. Gotta love it
 
TarheelCJ said:
And It cost me almost 4,000 dollars!
Click to expand...
:eek: :eek: you kidding I hope

TarheelCJ said:
Agree. I'm looking at doing the tie rod flip and a high steer now to correct my issues. But I don't want to do this on a Dana 30 .
Click to expand...

The Dana 44 high steer knuckles will fit a Dana 30 housing. You could fix your problem for now and get a 44 later and swap the knuckles back then.
Used knuckles and new arms would only set you back $300 or so if you shop around.
If you go high steer you don't do the flip.
Just a thought.
 
I'm going to look for someone local with some experience to look at it and help me. I'm so frustrated with it all.
 
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