wandering = my shackles?

[archer2147]

I seem to have nothing but problems to post on the forum, and no solutions for y'all lol..

well after looking over the suspension/steering, my leafs are swaying with turns of the wheel, there seems to be a pretty big gap between the shackle and the leaf/shackle and bracket. The shackle width is 2", but the leaf with the bushing and the bracket is 1 3/4". I guess i have 2 questions, would i need new shackles or new bushings? where can i find the correct parts for it??

 

[archer2147]

75 CJ5 by the way

 

[JR74CJ5]

It's definitely possible that the springs were the older thinner ones, and shackles larger... I think I remember hearing the older CJ springs were 1-3/4" wide and Newer were full 2"...

You should make sure they match.

Also, is the slop all there? Meaning is there slop on the springs side to side themselves? My Uncle was missing a few of the spring clips, causing his to wander side to side and pop when turning.

Since you are changing (I'm assuming) shackles anyways, I would get new bushings too, although they can be (and I think need to be) cut down anyways...

And no worries about all the questions man! Before you know it you'll be knowledgeable with all that you've done, and your jeep will be mostly new


~ JR

 

[BusaDave9]

The bushings should be wider than the spring.

The bushings are very likely to cause wander. If you replace the shackles replace the bushings.

 

[ftwflh]

When I did mine I got a complete set of shackles from Wisner Machine with greasable bolts.Then I got the wider aka thicker end bushings and had to grind them down to fit.This worked great.It now drives very good.

 

[archer2147]

ok cool, i will replace the shackles and bushings...thanks everyone

 

[New to the Game]

I jost drove my 1981 CJ5 for the first time this past Saturday and am having the same problem, which scared the out of my friend. I just walked out and looked at my shackles and bushings and all seem tight. I had a couple people tell me to check the pitman arm to see if it was a drop down or stock. Mine is stock. Could this cause the problem as well? That is what I am being told.

 

[ftwflh]

If you have longer than stock shackles that are not one piece I would go with one piece it wll take the flex out of them

 

[BusaDave9]

I had a couple people tell me to check the pitman arm to see if it was a drop down or stock. Mine is stock. Could this cause the problem as well? That is what I am being told.

If you have a lift and don't have a dropped pitman arm it could cause bump steer not wander. When your drag-link is at too much of an angle it causes bump steer. The jeep will steer to the side as you go over bumps.

If you have slop in your steering causing wander you will need to find out where that slop is. Sasquach has a good way to check where the slop is. Lay under the front axle. When the engine off have someone move the steering wheel back and forth taking out the slop each way. See where the slop is. If the problem is the shackles or bushings you will see the drag link push the springs side to side before the wheels start to turn.

 

[New to the Game]

Thanks I will try that.