Wandering TJ

[cpwolf]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-align-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.85/

This has the toe in, plus a good pic on how things should line up.

 

[Crabman]

Normal ? For some.

Common? Fairly,unfortunately.

Fixable? Oh yes.

Every TJ drives best with good tires, sufficient caster, 1/8” of toe in, axles centered, good connections underneath and around 28 PSI tire pressure keeps them less bouncy as well.

There is no one “do this and it will drive great” pat answer-

The first thing you need to do is learn how to do the dry steering test and get familiar with the system and how to diagnose slop/play,

As a rule of thumb you can trust this forum a lot more than you can most shops - most shops have mixed knowledge at best.


With the low mileage the vehicle is most likely in decent shape and only has a few things that need attention-

The key is to figure out what those things are and go from there.

Diagnose. Then move.

Don’t just throw parts at it, Don’t let people tell you you need a long arm kit or some other across-the-board solution-



What you need are good connections, proper settings, decent tires.

Many members on this forum have TJ’s that drive sensational.

It sounds like you’ve got a good low mileage vehicle and this would be very rewarding to pursue.

Normal ? For some.

Common? Fairly,unfortunately.

Fixable? Oh yes.

Every TJ drives best with good tires, sufficient caster, 1/8” of toe in, axles centered, good connections underneath and around 28 PSI tire pressure keeps them less bouncy as well.

There is no one “do this and it will drive great” pat answer-

The first thing you need to do is learn how to do the dry steering test and get familiar with the system and how to diagnose slop/play,

As a rule of thumb you can trust this forum a lot more than you can most shops - most shops have mixed knowledge at best.


With the low mileage the vehicle is most likely in decent shape and only has a few things that need attention-

The key is to figure out what those things are and go from there.

Diagnose. Then move.

Don’t just throw parts at it, Don’t let people tell you you need a long arm kit or some other across-the-board solution-



What you need are good connections, proper settings, decent tires.

Many members on this forum have TJ’s that drive sensational.

It sounds like you’ve got a good low mileage vehicle and this would be very rewarding to pursue.

I’m looking up the dry steering test now. Thank you for your reply.

 

[AndyG]

I’m looking up the dry steering test now. Thank you for your reply.

Shout is questions-

Basically you have a friend turn the steering wheel slowly from 10-2 on the clock-

As you change direction each time notice the connections underneath on the linkage- You’re watching for extra movement that shouldn’t be there

Do it with the engine off and the engine running-

 

[Crabman]

Normal ? For some.

Common? Fairly,unfortunately.

Fixable? Oh yes.

Every TJ drives best with good tires, sufficient caster, 1/8” of toe in, axles centered, good connections underneath and around 28 PSI tire pressure keeps them less bouncy as well.

There is no one “do this and it will drive great” pat answer-

The first thing you need to do is learn how to do the dry steering test and get familiar with the system and how to diagnose slop/play,

As a rule of thumb you can trust this forum a lot more than you can most shops - most shops have mixed knowledge at best.


With the low mileage the vehicle is most likely in decent shape and only has a few things that need attention-

The key is to figure out what those things are and go from there.

Diagnose. Then move.

Don’t just throw parts at it, Don’t let people tell you you need a long arm kit or some other across-the-board solution-



What you need are good connections, proper settings, decent tires.

Many members on this forum have TJ’s that drive sensational.

It sounds like you’ve got a good low mileage vehicle and this would be very rewarding to pursue.

I’m looking up the dry steering test now. Thank you for your reply.

 

[Crabman]

I’m looking up the dry steering test now. Thank you for your reply.

I measured tow in as best I could with the tape measure. It appears to be somewhere around zero to possibly a quarter of an inch maybe even an eighth of an inch.

I measured the pinion angle and it measures between 2° and 3°. The driveshaft angle appears to be around 4° or 5°. What does infer for caster angle? The pinion is pointed up.

 

[AndyG]

I measured tow in as best I could with the tape measure. It appears to be somewhere around zero to possibly a quarter of an inch maybe even an eighth of an inch.

I measured the pinion angle and it measures between 2° and 3°. The driveshaft angle appears to be around 4° or 5°. What does infer for caster angle? The pinion is pointed up.

Are you talking about the front-

 

[Crabman]

Are you talking about the front-

Yes- the front.

 

[LONGJP2]

somewhere around zero to possibly a quarter of an inch maybe even an eighth of an inch.

between 2° and 3°. The driveshaft angle appears to be around 4° or 5°.

You're probably going to need more accurate measurements than that to dial it in.

 

[cpwolf]

I measured tow in as best I could with the tape measure. It appears to be somewhere around zero to possibly a quarter of an inch maybe even an eighth of an inch.

I measured the pinion angle and it measures between 2° and 3°. The driveshaft angle appears to be around 4° or 5°. What does infer for caster angle? The pinion is pointed up.

So if you’re talking about the front, then you need to take some pics from the side angle of the pinion, not huge close ups, but showing the pinion and drive shaft.

There is no exact number, but 2 to 3 with your lift, and you have the symptom of wandering, and I would guess your wheel doesn’t return to center, you’ll need to add caster angle.

 

[cpwolf]

and no one can tell you the number, you have to add until it drives well, but doesn’t create vibes.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I measured tow in as best I could with the tape measure. It appears to be somewhere around zero to possibly a quarter of an inch maybe even an eighth of an inch.

Not very good at reading a tape measure?