Wonder-ing about steering?

Wonder-ing about steering?
T

tvince

Jeeper
Posts
125
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3
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Location
KC MO
Vehicle(s)
1978 CJ7
I have a 78 CJ7 and when I first got it (2 yrs ago) it would get a little white knuckley on road especially when rough road at 40 mph. And as far as I can tell all it had for lift was 1.75 in shackels and 30 in tires.
I have since put a 4" Rough country lift 33 SS tires 3.75" back spaced
15" x 10" wheels, new power steering boxw/brace,new stabilizer shock, new tie rod w/ends, drag link, u-joints wheel bearings, replaced shackles w/ .75" grease-able's, drop piman arm, etc... and It still gets un-nerving. I havent checked caster got to get my head around how to look at that.
But my question (s) / theroie's are...
Shackles will change caster right and if so the reduction of 1" in shackle sould have improved this right? but maybe not eliminated
And with no sway or track bars, that axle is just sitting on top of those springs on those highly flexable shackles as the axle drifts side to side it will cause steering issues right? Sitting parked and running the springs move before the tires.
is this the nature of the beast? and I just need to man up and Drive! Or is there any ideas out there to make things a little more stable
 
Im willing to bet if you get rid of the lift shackles the ride will be much improved. If you need the extra inch or so add a body lift or trim the sheetmetal.
 
No hell I got plenty of room the RC spring gave me almost 7 inches of lift. I'm gonna do that I've never had stock shackles on this jeep am I correct in cl hole to cl hole stock shackles are 4 inch.
 
I'll measure and have an answere for you after work around 4pm if no one else chimes in.
tvince said:
No hell I got plenty of room the RC spring gave me almost 7 inches of lift. I'm gonna do that I've never had stock shackles on this jeep am I correct in cl hole to cl hole stock shackles are 4 inch.
Click to expand...
 
stock schackels on my 83 are 3" C to C
 
Pics a little dark but OD is correct with the 3 in. measurement. Aftermarket replacements will be a little longer but better than any long lift shackle.
 

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tvince said:
I have a 78 CJ7 and when I first got it (2 yrs ago) it would get a little white knuckley on road especially when rough road at 40 mph. And as far as I can tell all it had for lift was 1.75 in shackels and 30 in tires.
I have since put a 4" Rough country lift 33 SS tires 3.75" back spaced
15" x 10" wheels, new power steering boxw/brace,new stabilizer shock, new tie rod w/ends, drag link, u-joints wheel bearings, replaced shackles w/ .75" grease-able's, drop piman arm, etc... and It still gets un-nerving. I havent checked caster got to get my head around how to look at that.
But my question (s) / theroie's are...
Shackles will change caster right and if so the reduction of 1" in shackle sould have improved this right? but maybe not eliminated
And with no sway or track bars, that axle is just sitting on top of those springs on those highly flexable shackles as the axle drifts side to side it will cause steering issues right? Sitting parked and running the springs move before the tires.
is this the nature of the beast? and I just need to man up and Drive! Or is there any ideas out there to make things a little more stable
Click to expand...


The shackles on my rig are 1" taller on the front axle 2" taller on the rear.
I'm running 38" tires & no sway bars. My rig tracks straight enough to take your hand off the wheel at freeway speed. I would say you still have some issues. Caster could be part of the problem, but I suspect there is more to it than that.;) If your axle is moving from side to side. A panard rod should fix that issue.
 
Thanks guys thats quite a bit different than the ones that were on there originally and the ones I got now that are 4.75 I want it a little lower anyway so I'm anxious to try some 3"
Again Thanks alot
 
Anything over stock length changes your caster and affects your steering...

Think front wheel on a worn out shopping cart! :eek:
 
I've looked around quite a bit for anything about putting a track bar on CJ but cant find anything is there any info ,suggestions, or geometry drawings etc that could help me fab or retrofit one I would really like to try one it seems like it would be the ticket. The way it feels like its swaying on top of the springs.
Still gonna fab up some 3" shackles.
Thanks again
 
Can I ask how you measured your caster I figure there must be a way using a level, angle finder, laser etc.
If I have to I could take it somewhere but wheres the fun in that!
but I could be wrong
 
tvince said:
I've looked around quite a bit for anything about putting a track bar on CJ but cant find anything is there any info ,suggestions, or geometry drawings etc that could help me fab or retrofit one I would really like to try one it seems like it would be the ticket. The way it feels like its swaying on top of the springs.
Still gonna fab up some 3" shackles.
Thanks again
Click to expand...

Not the best pic. I'll try to find another.Picture078_23Sep05.jpg
 
Yep 78 w/30
excuse my ignorance but where on the knuckle I baisically need the pivot angle right
 
LH did you buy or fab this up and if Ive understood what I've read it needs to be as close to parrallel as posible w the drag link
 
Obviously the :censored: pic. Well excuuuuse meeeeee.;)DSCF1988.jpg
 
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