Busted Shock - Temporary Fix Question
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Thanks for the advice... I ended up taking it to a local shop with a guy that works a lot of metal for off-roaders... he superheated it and bent it back into shape... the next step is to re-enforce it.
Now that corrected the axle shift. The next thing is the steering wheel. When I'm driving perfectly straight, the steering wheel is about55 degrees to the left.
When I straighten the steering wheel, of course I vear off to the right.
Also if I turn the wheel all the way to the right... it feels like it's binding or something. The ESP light remains on... and the Traction control light stays on after startup. I'm guessing that I need to hook it up to the computer to reset these sensors???
As far as the steering wheel... will recentering it correct the binding??? Should I take it to a shop or adjust it myself???
Now that corrected the axle shift. The next thing is the steering wheel. When I'm driving perfectly straight, the steering wheel is about55 degrees to the left.
When I straighten the steering wheel, of course I vear off to the right.
Also if I turn the wheel all the way to the right... it feels like it's binding or something. The ESP light remains on... and the Traction control light stays on after startup. I'm guessing that I need to hook it up to the computer to reset these sensors???
As far as the steering wheel... will recentering it correct the binding??? Should I take it to a shop or adjust it myself???
1. check your tie-rod to see if it got hit and is bent. if it is, this will cause your toe to be off as well as your steering wheel. also, this will cause your steering stabilizer to catch on your track bar mount at the axle and would explain your binding when making right turns.
2. check your steering box sector shaft. a hit hard enough to cause the damage that i see can cause the sector shaft to bend, spin and/or break. if it is spun (twisted), this will alter your steering wheel position as well and can cause some of the problem you are experiencing as well.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
I did something similar with my CA bracket...
I put on Rock Krawler's stronger, weld-on replacements...
I think the stock CA mounts should be replaced, or at least put a skid on the bottom and/or gussets. I did like you, and bent mine back into place temporarily. Sure enough, it broke off completely before I had the chance to weld on the new ones.
As far as your steering wheel and ESP... You just need to recenter your steering wheel by adjusting your drag link. Look in the write-up section for specific instructions. It is very easy to do. You might have to loosen the drag link, rotate it to center your steering wheel, tighten it all, take a drive, and then repeat it to fine-tune how straight it is... Good luck.
I put on Rock Krawler's stronger, weld-on replacements...
I think the stock CA mounts should be replaced, or at least put a skid on the bottom and/or gussets. I did like you, and bent mine back into place temporarily. Sure enough, it broke off completely before I had the chance to weld on the new ones.
As far as your steering wheel and ESP... You just need to recenter your steering wheel by adjusting your drag link. Look in the write-up section for specific instructions. It is very easy to do. You might have to loosen the drag link, rotate it to center your steering wheel, tighten it all, take a drive, and then repeat it to fine-tune how straight it is... Good luck.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: NC
I did the exact same thing on an old Cherokee I had. Bent the axle mount for the lower control arm. We (I am really close to the local 4x shop) ended up in loose terms beating it back into shape then welding thick steel washers onto each side of the bracket, this fixed it for good. I wheeled that jeep on tons of rocks and flexed it to H and back even broke axles and tore off exhausts and shattered spider gears but that mount never faultered again, I hope this helps. Good luck, JOE>
^^^ That looks great, seems like a really good option for this fix.
^^^ That looks great, seems like a really good option for this fix.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Riverside, CA
I think the stock CA mounts should be replaced, or at least put a skid on the bottom and/or gussets. I did like you, and bent mine back into place temporarily. Sure enough, it broke off completely before I had the chance to weld on the new ones.
As far as your steering wheel and ESP... You just need to recenter your steering wheel by adjusting your drag link. Look in the write-up section for specific instructions. It is very easy to do. You might have to loosen the drag link, rotate it to center your steering wheel, tighten it all, take a drive, and then repeat it to fine-tune how straight it is... Good luck.
As far as your steering wheel and ESP... You just need to recenter your steering wheel by adjusting your drag link. Look in the write-up section for specific instructions. It is very easy to do. You might have to loosen the drag link, rotate it to center your steering wheel, tighten it all, take a drive, and then repeat it to fine-tune how straight it is... Good luck.
I like the look of replacing the CA mounts with the Rock Krawler parts... I'll have to put that up top of my 'to do' list.
I've printed out the front-end adjustment page and am headed out to work on it. Wish me luck!!! hehe
Thanks for all the advice!!!
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Riverside, CA
Drives Like New!!!! Thanks to everyone who replied to this thread!!! I probably would have spent way more time and money to fix my JK had it not been for all of your expert advice! I'll still have to reinforce the bracket to be safe... those Rock Krawler brackets look like they'd do the trick.
Once again, Thanks!
Once again, Thanks!
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Riverside, CA
if you're steering wheel is still that off after getting your control arm mount fixed, it could be a couple of things.
1. check your tie-rod to see if it got hit and is bent. if it is, this will cause your toe to be off as well as your steering wheel. also, this will cause your steering stabilizer to catch on your track bar mount at the axle and would explain your binding when making right turns.
2. check your steering box sector shaft. a hit hard enough to cause the damage that i see can cause the sector shaft to bend, spin and/or break. if it is spun (twisted), this will alter your steering wheel position as well and can cause some of the problem you are experiencing as well.
1. check your tie-rod to see if it got hit and is bent. if it is, this will cause your toe to be off as well as your steering wheel. also, this will cause your steering stabilizer to catch on your track bar mount at the axle and would explain your binding when making right turns.
2. check your steering box sector shaft. a hit hard enough to cause the damage that i see can cause the sector shaft to bend, spin and/or break. if it is spun (twisted), this will alter your steering wheel position as well and can cause some of the problem you are experiencing as well.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Even though I adjusted the drag link to correct the steering... I didn't see your post about the steering box sector shaft. Is it possible for it to be twisted/spun and the steering still corrected by the drag link? Should I still go ahead and have this checked out??? I know the tie rods are good and the toe in is fine.
