Topic: TJ Steering (Read 12748 times)

gazjeep · « **on:** April 12, 2009, 10:46:09 AM »

Is there anything in particular that can firm up the steering on a 98 TJ.

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 ?

PtP · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2009, 10:56:01 AM »

I’d start by making sure everything was well greased.

MOCAJ · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2009, 11:00:02 AM »

check all is tightened up then get mrs to rock steering and look for any play in all joints

has it suddenly developed gaz ?

Jeeper Creeper · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2009, 11:10:59 AM »

Mine is like that and I hate it, especially when on motorways, have to constantly steer even though driving in a straight line. It's on my "will have to look into it" list.

MOCAJ · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2009, 11:15:05 AM »

you guys should try driving a locked TJ on the road, better than any ride at the fair :-D

gazjeep · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2009, 11:38:53 AM »

Everything is well greased Pete, just been serviced & greased to death :mrgreen:

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.

MOCAJ · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2009, 11:46:12 AM »

check everything as i said earlier, time to crawl on the floor gaz :wink:

Bishops Finger · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2009, 12:14:45 PM »

Does the steering damper need replacing???

greggmo · « **Reply #8 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.

Panic mechanic! · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2009, 12:29:24 PM »

your all a bunch of panzies! your too used to rack and pinion! :wavefinger:

Mike Pavelin · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2009, 12:35:02 PM »

wildwood · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2009, 12:46:35 PM »

Weird that...............
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.....

greggmo · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2009, 01:58:47 PM »

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. :lol:

Panic mechanic! · « **Reply #13 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.....

wildwood · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2009, 02:27:03 PM »

Got miffed at trashing rod ends and having a big Y shape made from the drag link and tie rod,.....and serious bump steer and then death wobble, which I was able to mask by a extra strength Procomp steering damper. IMHO the only thing that they are good at!
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.......

Panic mechanic! · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2009, 02:28:58 PM »

yup....hurry up me want to see....

greggmo · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2009, 02:32:12 PM »

seen the tera kit and the currie but i just wondered if there was a diy write up or somethin ya can fab up ya see.

wildwood · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2009, 03:30:02 PM »

[attachment=0:3g4s3j3i]hs1.JPG[/attachment:3g4s3j3i]Here' the linky: http://www.partsmike.com/store/store.php?crn=219

And hopefully some pics..........

Bubba · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2009, 04:27:16 PM »

yup but he is left hooker nothing easy to fit to rhd

Panic mechanic! · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2009, 04:46:54 PM »

left is best......

wildwood · « **Reply #20 on:** April 12, 2009, 05:07:47 PM »

Thats why I outed a Black Limited that I'd had since 96 with 18k on it for the matt green monster.... as ya say left is best.

As the great Jeep God intended, don't sit postal.....!!

gazjeep · « **Reply #21 on:** April 12, 2009, 09:00:40 PM »

Cheers chaps, I am off this week so if I get chance I'll lift the front end up get the boss to give the steering a wiggle whilst I fumble around in the dark underneath :wink:

scrw · « **Reply #22 on:** April 12, 2009, 09:03:12 PM »

oo-er missus :brows:

greggmo · « **Reply #23 on:** April 12, 2009, 09:21:21 PM »

wheels on the floor gaz. ya need the ground resistance to see what is moovin usually 8-)

gazjeep · « **Reply #24 on:** April 12, 2009, 09:24:24 PM »

OK matey, was going with what Wildwood suggested with wheels in the air :lol:

Author Topic: TJ Steering (Read 12748 times)

Jeeper Creeper

Bishops Finger

Panic mechanic!

Mike Pavelin

Panic mechanic!

Panic mechanic!

Panic mechanic!

scrw