Soliciting advice for a new Jeep owner.

[JanMast]

Ok, i recently bought an 85 CJ7 that is lifted. At first the steering scared the hell out of me, it felt like it was going to flip when i got on the highway. The jeep tends to sway back and forth. Is this something that i just need to get used to? Or should i have someone look at the steering. I attached pictures on the front and back. And advice from you seasoned jeep veterans would be appreciated.

FYI -- I am an Electronics Technician (read: computer geek, not gear head)

Thanks!

 

[BusaDave9]

The lift may be the reason for the instability.
If the lift was done in such a way that the front axle got tilted then the caster angle may be wrong. The caster angle allows the front tires to point in the direction its travailing for stability.
How was it lifted? Does the front have extra long shackles? That could cause this problem. Does it have the original front axle. If it was swapped out with one from another vehicle (such as a Scout) the replacement axle might have the wrong castor angle.

 

[NVRDUN]

No that is not something you just need to get used to. My 83 CJ7 will go down the highway just fine with no side to side walk or sway and I don’t run a steering stabilizer. Start by looking at all the ball joints in the steering and knuckles. If they have never been replaced by now I am sure they need to be. Next check for play in the steering box. Stock steering boxes are bad about play. If this is the case replace it with a good after market unit. Next look at your shocks, springs and all your bushings. I can’t tell from the picture if you have rubber bushings or poly. If they are rubber I would replace them all. If the shocks are weak replace they as well.

These are just some places to start.

James

 

[Old Dog]

You could start by reading this thread http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/troubleshooting-correcting-your-steering-4106/
It looks like you still have an antisway bar so thats good.
I also see that your draglink is not parallel with the tierod which will cause bump steer issues.
I can't see your shackles in the pics. but if they are 5" or longer bolt to bolt that can cause caster (steering) isssues.
I'd also check the steering box mount, have someone turn the steering back and forth while you watch where the mount bolts to the frame, they come loose sometimes.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

In another post you mentioned frame rust / damage, make sure there isn't a crack in the frame up front causing flex when you steer.




Troy--
Steering rehab- http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4106
Build thread- http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/1966-cj-6-build-15075/

 

[JanMast]

I appreciate all the feedback, and the link to the troubleshooting guide. I will start by looking all all this stuff. Thanks much!

 

[alpha6]

I bet when you bought this you didn't know it was going to be this much fun.

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

I bet when you bought this you didn't know it was going to be this much fun.

I would also add for you to obtain some good oil absorbent and a tetanus shot for good measure. I'm well stocked on both now, but it is fun!

 

[DHugg]

JanMast, your CJ5 looks much the same as my 1980 CJ7 . I gounded the machine after the first trip home from the PO ("Previous Owner").

The fist thing I found was that my steering shaft from the firewall to the steering box was toast - rusted to powder, literally, in the bearing cups of the joints. I changed it, and it helped. I worked over the power steering pump and steering box, getting a Rugged Ridge heavy duty steering box mount to replace the pressed steel 2-piece OEM trash. That helped, a lot!

I have three more places I know I need to go.......

The steering column has some loose screws, notorious for partially coming out and causing slack in reaction to a steering wheel turn.

The tie rod and drag link ends are wallowed out to an oval opening from the round area of allowed movement. These must be replaced.

I haven't yet looked at the front wheel bearings and the steering links there, but expect great gains when I rebuild the whole front axle steering attachments and bearings.

I can live with the little slop I have now, keeping below 55MPH for safety. When these last three items are worked over, it will steer like a race car, I am certain.

good luck,

 

[BamaCJ]

I am so glad that I found this Thread. Yesterday I purchased my second Jeep, a '79 CJ7 Renegade with a 304V8 and 3 spd. My old jeep was an '85 CJ7 Renegade with 31x10.5's, pretty stock with a straight 6. It was my daily driver until it caught on fire.
The new girl has a total of 6" of lift with 35x15's and she walks all over the road. I too, was wondering if it was just something that I needed to get used to or if I needed to work on her. Thank you for all of the information on this thread. I will probably have lots of questions about her in the near future. It has been 20 years since I have "worked" on a vehicle and with the husband working out of town, looks like it is time to freshen up my mechanical skills.
I look forward to more of your knowledgable information.

 

[DHugg]

Ok, i recently bought an 85 CJ7 that is lifted. At first the steering scared the hell out of me, it felt like it was going to flip when i got on the highway. The jeep tends to sway back and forth. Is this something that i just need to get used to? Or should i have someone look at the steering.

QUOTE]

Jan, your Jeep looks the twin of my '80 CJ7 , and drives, apparently, as mine did the day I brought it home.

In tightening the steering, my greatest gains were a Rocky Ridge single-piece heavy-duty steering box mount, and a replacement for the rusted-out steering shaft from the firewall to the steering box.

I did see improvement from setting all bolts on the spring shackles to about the same torque.

I have yet to replace the ball joints on the two cross rods of the front steering, the tie-rod and the drag link. I know these to be completely worn out - the openings are large ovals instead of simple circles. And I expect to rebuild the front wheel bearings and joints.

AMC nor later Chrysler did not buy the best metallic components to build their Jeeps. Correcting that is a lot of work. I use SPICER components in my drive train rebuild. I only want to do this once.

The steering shaft is relatively easy. You will likely want help with the steering box mount if you choose to replace it.

It gets better! Hang in.