Steering Problems

[dale01962]

Just completed frameoff restroration on 1974 CJ5 . 350 Chevy engine stock T-150 tranny, D33&Dana 44 . Installed new balljoints, tie rods, u-joints, bearings, steering box most everything. new 3" suspension lift with existing 1" body lift. Everything works great except when driving jeep wanders very badly side to side over 40mph. Real bad. After some research possible caster/camber issue. Hard to find allignment shops that deal with older cjs. Have alot of time and money invested, any suggestions appreciated. Thanks
dale

 

[BajaEdition]

Did you use any shims on the front axle perches, and what degree?

camber is kinda set by your axle on a jeep, but caster is adjusted by the perch shims and is easy to do.

 

[73CJ]

You might need some sway bars. Mine is much more stabile on the road with front and rear. Helps the wander too.

Gotta ask - did you put new spring bushings in as well?

 

[Sasquach]

For caster look at your pinion angle, it should be level on a unmodified factory axle and most likely it's pointing up from long spring shackles causing no or neg. caster. As Baja said you will need to shim or maybe reweld the perchs. The other thing to look at is the toe, the front wheels should be pointed in 3/16" or so and you can determine this by measuring the tire track width front and back.

Were did TD's troubleshooting your steering go? There it is down in the Technical threads.

 

[dale01962]

Didn't shim perches. This is my first complete rebuild. Got jeep in parts and have worked my way thru. Don't have much experience or knowledge about caster/camber. Been researching I have found there exists camber bushings also. I thought the bushings on the new top ball joints was for this, but just learned they are used to preload the ball joint. Jeep looks great but wanders so bad you can't drive it above 40mph. When i installed new lift, it come with 6 degree shims for rear shocks but none for front. Thanks and appreciate any advise.

 

[dale01962]

Do they make them for the older Cjs? (1974)

 

[CJ]

Do they make them for the older Cjs? (1974)

Shims or sway bars.

Please fill out your required profile information so we know what CJ and equipment you have.

 

[dale01962]

I can cut a reweld but shims are probably easier. Where can I buy them? Thanks

 

[CJ]

Thanks for the profile update - makes helping you much easier... (might want to add the year of your CJ though. ).

About the best shim plates are from -->> 4Crawler Offroad Products - Jeep-CJ WEB Links

They have standard ones and make custom if needed. I like their steel shims, they do not degrade like the cheap aluminium ones do.

 

[jeepboy45]

Troubleshooting & Correcting your Steering

Excellent article... READ IT, print it, and walk outside and look closely at your jeep.

You'll figure it out. It seems very complicated at first, but it really isnt. Camber, castor, toe, etc all work together.......If they are all off just a little, the issue may appear to be a major problem.

good luck