Steering Wheel and Pitman Arm Angles

[annihil8ted]

I just put in an adjustable trackbar and now my axles are finally centered. The thing is my steering is all sorts of wrong now (steering wheel is 90 degrees to the left) and I'm looking for guidance on getting it sorted.

When I first bought the LJ, steering was already off (to the left at 1 o'clock if I remember correctly) and was on a sagged 2" lift.

Once I lifted it properly to around 3-3.5 inches, the steering was almost dead center. Unfortunately I had to replace the bushing in the old stock trackbar.

When I did, it pulled the wheel to the 11 o'clock position. I also didn't like how it pulled to the passenger side so I got the adjustable trackbar.

Now, when the axle is centered, should the pitman arm be parallel to the direction of the LJ when driving straight? It feels obvious but wanted to check

And if my steering wheel isn't centered, should I reposition the pitman arm? Any reason why the last own might have done this or did the steering box "break/jump"?

 

[Tob]

Now, when the axle is centered, should the pitman arm be parallel to the direction of the LJ when driving straight? It feels obvious but wanted to check

No, not necessarily.

And if my steering wheel isn't centered, should I reposition the pitman arm? Any reason why the last own might have done this or did the steering box "break/jump"?

No. The pitman arm has a splined connection to the sector shaft of the steering gear box, but it is also keyed, I believe every 90 degrees. You don’t adjust the position of the pitman arm; you adjust the length of the drag link to center your steering wheel. Loosen the two bolts and spin the threaded barrel. It is RH threaded on one end and LH threaded on the other, like a turnbuckle. It adjusts the length of the drag link, which dictates, in part, the relationship between the position of the steering wheel and the steering position of the wheels.

 

[jjvw]

Center the axle.
Set the toe.
Straighten the steering wheel.

In that order.

 

[annihil8ted]

Thanks everyone! I knew about the drag link and turning the threaded barrel but wasn't sure if the pitman arm was suppose to straight up and down too. Good to know it's keyed and time to do the steps above!


On a side note, if the pitman arm isn't centered, wouldn't that make travel different? 1) one because of different starting point so left full turn is different than right full turn and 2) since it travels in a circle and not a straight line, the distance between it and the axle end of the drag link would change at different rates?

I guess because the circle is so small, it's negligible in terms of travel rate

 

[macleanflood]

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

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