Jhumphrey
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Nashville, TN
Ok, so Im still in the process of straightening out the issues that came with my XJ. I got a good deal on it when I bought it, but Im having issues with the steering. This is what Ive done so far:
3" lift (Zone- new coils, shocks, and leafs)
LCAs (Fat Bob's for 3" lifted XJs)
Quick Discos (RC- For 2.5" TJs which fit better than the XJ ones)
1" tcase drop (had vibes at 65MPH and dont have the disposable cash for a YSE/custom d/s)
31x10.5 mud tires w/TJ rims (craigslist deal)
Adjustable Track Bar (RC)
Ive also had the jeep aligned twice (once before the lift, once after). The steering wheel has always been off center and has a ton of play in it. I believe I need a new steering box. I had the jeep in two different shops to find this mystery pop that sounds like its near my foot (just beyond the firewall) on the driver side just prior to full lock when the wheels are turned left. That has recently went to where its starting to pop just before full lock either way (its more faint on the passenger side). Neither shop was able to pinpoint what was causing the pop. They both said that everything appeared fine (tie rod, wheel bearings, ujoints, etc). The pop usually only occurs when I first drive it after it has sat. Every now and then it will do it after its been driven for awhile, but thats rare. Track bar bolts appear to be tight and not pulling away from the frame.
This evening, when I pulled in my driveway, I noticed something odd. The driver side wheel was pointing straight (my driveway is basically level), but the passenger side appeared to me to be slightly turned outward. Think of it like when you turn your wheels, but one was straight on, the other turned to the right (like I had turned the wheel). It wasnt over exaggerated, just slight. My jeep had been wrecked on its passenger side previous to my owning it (mailbox). The bumper was crumpled and the fender destroyed. I have since put a new grille/fender on and straightened the bumper as much as I could. I thought at first that the strange turn of the wheel was an optical illusion, but the more I stare at it, the more Im convinced its turned. I plan to post a photo tomorrow, as it was to dark for me to get a good shot of it to post tonight.
Since I dont know much about alignment, is this toe out setup or is there something wrong with the tierod? The jeep, besides the play in the wheel, drives fine....well, as fine as it can with the steering wheel being jacked up which leads road wandering. The play in the steering wheel is pretty extreme, as in I can move my hands from 9-3 to 7-1 and 11-5 before I notice any front end movement.
This jeep is not my daily driver and I am making it an overland style vehicle. Used for light trail riding, camping, hunting, etc. My wife plans to drive it during the winter when the roads are bad, but I dont feel comfortable with that in its current state, so Im trying to narrow down various things before I start throwing cash at it.
Any suggestions/ideas would be great.
:read:
3" lift (Zone- new coils, shocks, and leafs)
LCAs (Fat Bob's for 3" lifted XJs)
Quick Discos (RC- For 2.5" TJs which fit better than the XJ ones)
1" tcase drop (had vibes at 65MPH and dont have the disposable cash for a YSE/custom d/s)
31x10.5 mud tires w/TJ rims (craigslist deal)
Adjustable Track Bar (RC)
Ive also had the jeep aligned twice (once before the lift, once after). The steering wheel has always been off center and has a ton of play in it. I believe I need a new steering box. I had the jeep in two different shops to find this mystery pop that sounds like its near my foot (just beyond the firewall) on the driver side just prior to full lock when the wheels are turned left. That has recently went to where its starting to pop just before full lock either way (its more faint on the passenger side). Neither shop was able to pinpoint what was causing the pop. They both said that everything appeared fine (tie rod, wheel bearings, ujoints, etc). The pop usually only occurs when I first drive it after it has sat. Every now and then it will do it after its been driven for awhile, but thats rare. Track bar bolts appear to be tight and not pulling away from the frame.
This evening, when I pulled in my driveway, I noticed something odd. The driver side wheel was pointing straight (my driveway is basically level), but the passenger side appeared to me to be slightly turned outward. Think of it like when you turn your wheels, but one was straight on, the other turned to the right (like I had turned the wheel). It wasnt over exaggerated, just slight. My jeep had been wrecked on its passenger side previous to my owning it (mailbox). The bumper was crumpled and the fender destroyed. I have since put a new grille/fender on and straightened the bumper as much as I could. I thought at first that the strange turn of the wheel was an optical illusion, but the more I stare at it, the more Im convinced its turned. I plan to post a photo tomorrow, as it was to dark for me to get a good shot of it to post tonight.
Since I dont know much about alignment, is this toe out setup or is there something wrong with the tierod? The jeep, besides the play in the wheel, drives fine....well, as fine as it can with the steering wheel being jacked up which leads road wandering. The play in the steering wheel is pretty extreme, as in I can move my hands from 9-3 to 7-1 and 11-5 before I notice any front end movement.
This jeep is not my daily driver and I am making it an overland style vehicle. Used for light trail riding, camping, hunting, etc. My wife plans to drive it during the winter when the roads are bad, but I dont feel comfortable with that in its current state, so Im trying to narrow down various things before I start throwing cash at it.
Any suggestions/ideas would be great.
:read: