wandering steering

[mscottb]

Hi All, just got my 1980 CJ5 back on the road after some rear frame fixing. runs great and sounds great. except she wanders all over the place. a friend of mine suggested I adj. the steering box, by tightening the screw on the top, is this right? I checked the tie rod ends and they seem pretty tight

 

[tarry99]

Hi All, just got my 1980 cj5 back on the road after some rear frame fixing. runs great and sounds great. except she wanders all over the place. a friend of mine suggested I adj. the steering box, by tightening the screw on the top, is this right? I checked the tie rod ends and they seem pretty tight

The adjustment on top of the box is just to pre-load the two internal gears and will have minimal effect on loose steering..............
There is a link on this site for some easy step by step instructions for checking that.

The reality is there could be various reasons for it to wander. Alignment, tire pressure,ball joints, worn suspension , related bushings & worn parts starting from the steering wheel u-joints through the steering gear & tie rod all the way to the wheel bearings................to check it correctly it really requires two people, one turning the steering wheel and the other watching movement along the path............just a little wear anywhere can get amplified as it goes down stream.

You mentioned some frame fixing............not sure what repairs were made but if the rear axles are not tracking correctly that could also be an issue.

 

[mscottb]

tarry99 Thanks for the reply, I did go check on that link and I also saw a couple of other people with the same problem as I.

My frame issue was a rooted steel on both sides at the foward spring mount. just welded some 3/16 steel in there. No cracks or broken frames just the rot.
so I dont think I changed the tracking.

thanks for your help

 

[micrablue]

mscottb,

Best cure for wandering is to install a shackle reversal kit. This will cure it almost 98 percent, with all other things being equal.

I run this and use my sway bar up front with a 4" skyjacker lift.

Since I am real keen on my vehicle control on the highway, I am building a trackbar for mine as well. You don't need this, but it will get you to 100 percent, IMO. But, this may not work for you if you offroad more than you onroad.

good luck!

 

[mscottb]

microblue, what is really involved in a shackle reversal? I have heard alot about it. is it very expensive?
My imed steering shaft u joint is bad ( very loose) as well as the bearing. so Maybe when those are replaced the steering with be a little better
tnx
scott

 

[micrablue]

mscottb,

Nothing much too hard, really. I used RCS5060 rough country.
Jeep CJ Shackle Reversal

I did this about 10 years ago; product hasn't changed. I even rear-ended a car with this kit on, and it didn't phase it. Don't recommend doing that, however.

I used this kit, because I didn't have to go the extra steps and weld it in. If you don't want to fool with all the bolting, and have a more secure setup, get the weld in version, or just weld this one in. I still haven't welded it, but want to.

Other posts are right, it does cause your leaf spring to expand in the other direction by switching the fixed point. But for me, it has never mattered, even when I go offroad, which is mostly trail riding, and some (minor) rock crawling. Best thing, is having all that control on the hwy, especially over bumps.!

Be sure to fix any other wandering parts you have, and this will top it off.

good luck!

 

[rocmoc]

Reversed the shackles is how I fixed my wandering. I bought new shackle hangers from WillyWorks.com and R&R. Man was I happy as I had tried everything else.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

 

[Kane]

doing a reverse shackle worked because it gave them more caster angle. If you have a lift kit then most likely your caster angle is close to zero. A simple shim may take care if this for alot less money. I would check your caster angle first and see if it is between 5-7 degrees. Close to zero will create lots of wander.

 

[mscottb]

doing a reverse shackle worked because it gave them more caster angle. If you have a lift kit then most likely your caster angle is close to zero. A simple shim may take care if this for alot less money. I would check your caster angle first and see if it is between 5-7 degrees. Close to zero will create lots of wander.

I believe this is a stock jeep and has not been lifted.
when I get the inter med shaft bearing replaced and a new u-joint installed into the shaft I will then be able to go further. The shaft is very loose and kind of scary I cant believe I didn't "go off road" unintentionally
the shaft is comming from ebay and I still have to order the bearing
Thanks for all your help I am thinking on the spring reversal but out of the question right now cause of the cost
scott