Post by: gazjeep on April 12, 2009, 10:46:09 AM
I know its a yank, its 11 years old & its an off-road vehicle fitted with mud tyres so its never going to steer like a go-cart but when we took it out yesterday doing the family Easter egg run, it was noticeable that there seems to be a bit of initial slack in the steering before any noticeable change of direction occurred.
For instance, moving the steering wheel from the 12 o'clock position, not a lot happens until you get to 11 or 1 o'clock position if that makes sense.
Presuming we looking at new or reconditioned existing steering components but where do you start, recently changed the tie rod end as advised it had play in at MOT, thought that might help a bit but no change really.
Any thoughts ?
Post by: PtP on April 12, 2009, 10:56:01 AM
Post by: MOCAJ on April 12, 2009, 11:00:02 AM
has it suddenly developed gaz ?
Post by: Jeeper Creeper on April 12, 2009, 11:10:59 AM
Post by: MOCAJ on April 12, 2009, 11:15:05 AM
Post by: gazjeep on April 12, 2009, 11:38:53 AM
MOCAJ, not suddenly happened like something has brocken, Sarah drove it 1st yesterday & it was like watching an old 50's movie, steering this way & that to go straight,
I suppose I have driven it more lately so not so bad but constant minor adjustments esp on motorways is not nice.
Post by: MOCAJ on April 12, 2009, 11:46:12 AM
Post by: Bishops Finger on April 12, 2009, 12:14:45 PM
Post by: greggmo on April 12, 2009, 12:23:21 PM
Quote from: "my other cars a jeep"
you guys should try driving a locked TJ on the road, better than any ride at the fair :lol: :lol:
gaz ya might need a steerin damper as stew says but they do kinda just get like that. mandas is the same. check yer tyre pressures too mate.
Post by: Panic mechanic! on April 12, 2009, 12:29:24 PM
Post by: Mike Pavelin on April 12, 2009, 12:35:02 PM
Post by: wildwood on April 12, 2009, 12:46:35 PM
Had M6 experience last week 200 miles to Brum and back in the YJ
35s locker on rear and no roll bar or any track bars on front and rear
No steering damper, but have got high cross over steering rods with near perfect parallel geometry.
No wander no drama..... Just dont lift off in a corner then put foot down 'cos locker with move you sideways a bit......
Only thing can think of is steering box adjustment.... never done it but big section on it in CLINTON manual.....
Once had severe death wobble left wheel bouncing up and down only solution heavy braking to stop.......
Wasn't the steering damper was the rubber bushes in chassis that shackles mount to ..... spring shackles were poly and OK
chassis end were rubber original and trashed..... £5 a side problem solved......
As advised above, check with front end on stands and use trolley jack to try to lift one side then other and have a good shake of all parts with bushes or nuts and castle nuts and split pins..... your prob is definately in that area.....
Post by: greggmo on April 12, 2009, 01:58:47 PM
Post by: Panic mechanic! on April 12, 2009, 02:24:23 PM
Quote from: "greggmo"
high steer is the reason for you having good steering. whats it like to do? not really looked into it but it would be a nice mod cos mine drives like a pissed camel.
pot calling the kettle black i think here.....
Post by: wildwood on April 12, 2009, 02:27:03 PM
The system I used was Terraflex and you get a right side new knuckle with high arm, then you got 2 monster octagonal rods one for tie one for drag they have Dana 60 rod ends on them.
Apparently they will deform against a rock by 4" and spring back.... yet to try that..... but much better than Jeep 'pretzel logic' rods
I also mounted my tie rod above the knuckle to give even more clearance. I have lost about an inch either side of lock but I guess I could use another pitman arm to sort that......... more research needed there.
This system from Terraflex will only work with Dana 30 TJ YJ XJ etc as far as I know and you need a left hooker.
CJs and the like are well catered for by using chevy flat topped knuckles and all the nice bits from people like 'Parts Mike"
will dig up his link later.
Definately worth it though..................
You want to see a pic now don't you..... I 'll go and find one.......
Post by: Panic mechanic! on April 12, 2009, 02:28:58 PM
Post by: greggmo on April 12, 2009, 02:32:12 PM
Post by: wildwood on April 12, 2009, 03:30:02 PM
And hopefully some pics..........
Post by: Bubba on April 12, 2009, 04:27:16 PM
Post by: Panic mechanic! on April 12, 2009, 04:46:54 PM
Post by: wildwood on April 12, 2009, 05:07:47 PM
As the great Jeep God intended, don't sit postal.....!!
Post by: gazjeep on April 12, 2009, 09:00:40 PM
Post by: scrw on April 12, 2009, 09:03:12 PM
Post by: greggmo on April 12, 2009, 09:21:21 PM
Post by: gazjeep on April 12, 2009, 09:24:24 PM
Post by: greggmo on April 12, 2009, 09:29:15 PM
Post by: helstejeep on April 12, 2009, 09:45:22 PM
I hate driving it on long journeys but I enjoy driving slowly round town. I am a wimp
I think they are all the same unless you throw loads o dosh at them.
Helen
Post by: wildwood on April 12, 2009, 11:14:50 PM
Originally I had the RE supplied shocks all round Doetsh Tech or some'at. Well I rogered them after a few years....
I got hold of a Procomp suspension systems catalogue details about the MX6 adjustable gas shock and because I've got upper shock mounts raised etc I found a CUSTOM APPLICATION...12" travel custom soft valving... (they do 8" and 10" and in medium valving ) part no MX6076 32" extended and 20.25" collapsed.
Most shocks you push in against the fluid and they stay in that position its the weight of the wheel that pulls it out again....
These gas ones push out with a slow but very powerful force. So when off road and stepping off a rock they will push down the wheel to find ground as opposed to just dangle...
On the road it means that they just glide over speed bumps... the back I haven't changed and you can tell ...it's brutal!
Also I run at the softest setting all the time... Its really made a difference....... about £85 a corner......
I guess there's lots of choice out there but sometimes its worth hearing from a user rather than a journalist?!!!