First Time Jeep Owner, Steering Issues

[Jeepoftheseus]

Hey everybody, I've been reading the forum a lot over the last 6 months as I prepared to buy my first jeep. I went with a 98' TJ 4.0. I got it at a great price, but part of the deal is that there are a lot of gremlins I need to chase to get things running smooth. I'm a long time shade-tree mechanic and will tackle almost any job that can be done at home on my cars and motorcycle. Being able to wrench on the jeep was a selling point for me, I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I definitely still have a lot to learn about the car though.

The steering on this jeep feels sloppy. The alignment is comically bad and she wanders a bit on the road. I managed to drive home safely an hour back from the seller's house and hit 75mph +, no death wobble. I haven't noticed any power steering leaks or problems. I've never had to do any steering work before nor had I driven a TJ until yesterday. The question that's really on my mind is how much dead zone/slop in the steering is normal compared to, say, my partner's Camry? Could the comical alignment be causing the slop? I'm trying to determine if I have other steering issues to fix before it makes sense to have the alignment done.

The seller flips cars as a hobby and didn't really know anything about the jeeps history. The engine and transmission feel good, and there's no rust on the frame because it's an Arizona jeep. The rear main definitely needs to be done too.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Align it yourself with a tape measure and go from there. Mine don't have any dead spots/slop in them. I set my toe at 1/8" in.

 

[L J]

welcome out from the shadows and congrats on the TJ

Eliminate the easy things like setting proper tire pressure in the mid to high 20s depending on tire size, do a dry steer test to look for worn steering components and lastly if the steering box is worn out the only remedy is to get a new manufacture steering box (preferred) or roll the dice on a reman to see if you can get one that wasn't rebuilt with a worn out bore.

 

[macleanflood]

I put Currie CorrectLync steering and track bars on my 97.

Thread 'How to align your Jeep Wrangler TJ'

Oct 31, 2015

Here's how to check and adjust your own toe-in that also includes how to center the steering wheel as well as re-center the axle if necessary. With just a little care on your part with nothing more than a tape measure, a big set of pliers, and a wrench, you can easily set your toe-in with as much accuracy as an alignment shop can. Really.

Start after making sure the front axle is properly centered. That may involve adjusting the trackbar's length which can only be done if there's an aftermarket adjustable-length track bar installed. Or if the original OEM track bar is still installed and...

• Jerry Bransford
• alignment lj alignment tj alignment
• Replies: 400
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 
• 

-Mac

 

[KennethS]

Align it yourself with a tape measure and go from there. Mine don't have any dead spots/slop in them. I set my toe at 1/8" in.

Agreed, don’t bother taking it somewhere and spending money. The toe adjustment can easily be done at home and may cure that wandering feeling - it did for mine.

 

[CharlesHS]

When I purchased my '01 the vehicle steering drifted at highway speeds.
I replaced the mismatched tires and aligned the steering; which helped slightly.
After a thorough front end inspection; I found the front steering tie rod ends to be worn.
Since I had upgraded to the JK 17" rims I installed a rebuilt Currie CorrectLync ($325) which solved the steering problems.
Another good alternative would be to upgrade to the ZJ front steering; information can be sourced on this forum in the Jeep Wrangler TJ Resources section under TJ How to Guides.

https://wranglertjforum.com/forums/tj-how-to-guides.109/

 

[Jeepoftheseus]

Hey everyone, your responses have all been super helpful and I'm well on my way to having the issue resolved. I've been able to improve the alignment a lot and it feels better on the road for sure, I'm thinking I may need to rebuild the steering box though because there is still slop in the steering that I can't seem to account for elsewhere. I've included some pictures. Does this look stock or aftermarket to everyone?

 

[lBasket]

Hey everyone, your responses have all been super helpful and I'm well on my way to having the issue resolved. I've been able to improve the alignment a lot and it feels better on the road for sure, I'm thinking I may need to rebuild the steering box though because there is still slop in the steering that I can't seem to account for elsewhere. I've included some pictures. Does this look stock or aftermarket to everyone?

View attachment 599945

View attachment 599948

Looks stock to me. Except maybe the sway bar links?

My understanding with steering gear slop is that a rebuild is basically a reseal, while the slop comes from the bore inside wearing and isn't repairable.

 

[Jeepoftheseus]

Looks stock to me. Except maybe the sway bar links?

My understanding with steering gear slop is that a rebuild is basically a reseal, while the slop comes from the bore inside wearing and isn't repairable.

That's really helpful to know, so I should probably be looking for a replacement unit instead. Anyone have any recommendations? Also, those sway bar links rattle like crazy when I squeeze em and shake em. Is that normal?

 

[Rickyd]

What the heck is that line running front to rear that is laying on your steering?

Google "dry steering test" then do it. Get help with the wheel. If you are methodical and pay attention you won't need to guess where the slop in the steering is.

 

[lBasket]

That's really helpful to know, so I should probably be looking for a replacement unit instead. Anyone have any recommendations? Also, those sway bar links rattle like crazy when I squeeze em and shake em. Is that normal?

It is a crapshoot buying remans from anywhere to hope you get a less worn box. PSC sells brand new ones I think, but they're like 1100$ or something. Some people say the redhead rebuilds are decent, like theyre more particular about which they rebuild to sell? But that seems less of a sure thing and they're pricey.

Yeah you basically have DIY sway bar disconnects going on, with pins you pick up from somewhere like Ace hardware. I had the same pins and setup once upon a time, they aren't a great fit and make a bunch of noise forsure.

 

[Jeepoftheseus]

What the heck is that line running front to rear that is laying on your steering?

Google "dry steering test" then do it. Get help with the wheel. If you are methodical and pay attention you won't need to guess where the slop in the steering is.

OK, that is an EXCELLENT question. Here's what I was able to figure out. The line is attached to the break pedal, and let's out by the winch. I'm new to off-roading and have no clue what the benefit would be. Do you know?

 

[Rickyd]

Looks like something for flat towing? I'd get rid of it asap.

Lares and BBB have brand new steering boxes that aren't as expensive as psc. But again,I would do careful diagnosis before firing the parts cannon.

 

[lBasket]

OK, that is an EXCELLENT question. Here's what I was able to figure out. The line is attached to the break pedal, and let's out by the winch. I'm new to off-roading and have no clue what the benefit would be. Do you know?

View attachment 600015

View attachment 600016

View attachment 600017

Yep like Ricky said this is the brake line for a ReadyBrake, I've got the same little clamp and nipple on the firewall.

https://nsarvproducts.com/products/rv-readybrake-towed-vehicle-supplemental-brake-system

Basically a surge brake for the Jeep for flat towing. You're not really supposed to leave it attached to the brake while driving it.