Steering issue

[Petescj]

Ok bear with me here for a moment. I just had my Cj in for a front end alignment and everything seemed fine at first. The steering wheel was centered and the wheels looked good when I got it back. The steering still felt a little "floaty" but wasnt bad.

Since then I noticed my drag link is bent. Sometimes after making a turn either way it seems the jeep doesnt want to come all the way back and I have to over correct to get it straight again. Sometimes this results in a very "darting" feeling. My theory is with the bent drag link its fighting with the tie rod since the adjustments for the front end alighnment.

Thoughts? Im no suspension guru. Heres a pic of the drag link:

 

[hagar]

The bend in the drag link would only affect steering wheel/box centering.
It should be replaced.
It shouldn't have any effect on toe in as it can't overcome the long tie rod.
Surprised the alignment shop didn't say a word....that would concern me.
Unless, they centered your steering wheel by bending the drag link, instead of turning the adjusting sleeve

 

[Petescj]

Surprised the alignment shop didn't say a word....that would concern me.

How about it. I was less than impressed. Im going to be replacing both links and all the ends. Hopefully I dont have any issues afterwards.

 

[Old Dog]

I agree the bend will only affect the steering wheel position not how it steers. (been there done that)
I'm sure you know that what your saying suggests the caster is off, what did the shop say it was?
You will also get bump steer with the draglink and tierod not being parallel but I'm sure you know that too.

 

[Petescj]

I agree the bend will only affect the steering wheel position not how it steers. (been there done that)
I'm sure you know that what your saying suggests the caster is off, what did the shop say it was?
You will also get bump steer with the draglink and tierod not being parallel but I'm sure you know that too.

It says on the paperwork that the caster range should be between 5 and 7 degrees. Yetafter the alihnment it has both readings at 2.5 degrees?

 

[Old Dog]

It says on the paperwork that the caster range should be between 5 and 7 degrees. Yetafter the alihnment it has both readings at 2.5 degrees?

Guess they got paid to tell you what is was but did nothing about it.

What does it say the toe is/was?

 

[Petescj]

Guess they got paid to tell you what is was but did nothing about it.

What does it say the toe is/was?

The toe range is .0 to .12. Mine was .26 and .23 that was adjusted into range at .07 and .05.

 

[Old Dog]

sounds about right, I set mine at 1/8" which would be .062 per side.
looks like some axle shims are in your future.

 

[Petescj]

sounds about right, I set mine at 1/8" which would be .062 per side.
looks like some axle shims are in your future.

I guess I have to take it back down there and see what they say about the paperwork they gave me. The worst part is I had to take it back about the brakes they did. My right rear tire kept locking up when I applied the brakes. They turned the drums wich were new cause they thought that would help. It didnt and they replaced everything again free of charge. That worked, now this.

 

[Old Dog]

Well look at it like this, if they did the shims it would be one large $ bill, if you do it it's mostly time.

 

[tarry99]

Ok bear with me here for a moment. I just had my Cj in for a front end alignment and everything seemed fine at first. The steering wheel was centered and the wheels looked good when I got it back. The steering still felt a little "floaty" but wasnt bad.

Since then I noticed my drag link is bent. Sometimes after making a turn either way it seems the jeep doesnt want to come all the way back and I have to over correct to get it straight again. Sometimes this results in a very "darting" feeling. My theory is with the bent drag link its fighting with the tie rod since the adjustments for the front end alighnment.

Thoughts? Im no suspension guru. Heres a pic of the drag link:

Since the Drag Link is bent.........the distance to the spindle has been changed and the steering gear is no longer in the "Sweet" spot in the center of travel..... Two actions fighting each other......one being the caster which you should have about 6 degrees which tries to bring the front wheels back to straight while going forward and then the shortened Drag Link which does not allow the steering gear back to Zero while its fighting against the caster........Fix the caster and get the Drag link straightened...........should be fine!

 

[Hedgehog]

Deffinately fix or replace the drag link. That's easy enough even for a goofus like me to do. Then take it back until it's right. Then never go back to that shop again again.

 

[Petescj]

Since the Drag Link is bent.........the distance to the spindle has been changed and the steering gear is no longer in the "Sweet" spot in the center of travel..... Two actions fighting each other......one being the caster which you should have about 6 degrees which tries to bring the front wheels back to straight while going forward and then the shortened Drag Link which does not allow the steering gear back to Zero while its fighting against the caster........Fix the caster and get the Drag link straightened...........should be fine!

This sounds like what I "feel". I delved into this a little deeper now. I compared the steering knuckle on the Laredo with my other Cj. The Laredo is Narrow track and the Limited is wide track. Im just curious about the angle of the bend. I tried to get almost the same angle

The Laredo with the steering issues:

The Limited :