Drastic steering issue
#11
JK Jedi
Just getting the steering wheel straightened will solve a world of hurt. You can drive it with lower than ideal caster.....shoot, most lifted jeeps on the road are rolling like that.....but, you'll notice a big difference once your caster does get corrected. If by chance you still get the esc lights after the alignment, time to start looking at the speed sensors.
#12
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Just getting the steering wheel straightened will solve a world of hurt. You can drive it with lower than ideal caster.....shoot, most lifted jeeps on the road are rolling like that.....but, you'll notice a big difference once your caster does get corrected. If by chance you still get the esc lights after the alignment, time to start looking at the speed sensors.
#13
JK Jedi
No more lights lit on the dash though right? Thinking something is wrong in the steering box itself? The suspension lift isn't going to have some big impact on the steering.....not to the extent you are describing.
#14
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
once I install the brackets I'll know wether there' any improvement or not. If not first I will take the steering stabilizer off. If nothing helps it will be time to buy a good steering box.
#15
Super Moderator
I just looked underneath again. He definitely did the cheap 3.5 lift as the control arms are factory still. Rough country does offer the more expensive kit that includes them but this was not that kit. I ordered the aev and the shop doing the alignment this morning told me they can' help my issue at all until those brackets are installed.
One other thing to consider, before buying a replacement steering box, I think we've all been assuming the turned steering wheel is just likely due to the added lift and the PO not adjusting the drag link since that's the most common and reasonable assumption.
However, if by chance the PO actually replaced the drag-link then they could have installed it improperly which could lead to similar issues as you described.
The proper way to install a drag link is as follows.
1. Make sure your steering wheel is in the default/center position (more so that the pit-man arm is in the correct position)
2. Make sure your front wheels are straight (not turned).
3. Adjust the length of the drag-link as close as possible to the stock length
4. Install drag link
5. With wheels still not turned, adjust drag link adjuster so that steering wheel is centered.
Some people make the mistake of missing the 1st, 2 steps when installing the DL, where their wheels or steering is turned and they end up with a similar situation as you're describing where the steering amount is different between turning right and turning left.
Last edited by Rednroll; 02-09-2018 at 11:21 AM.
#16
JK Jedi Master
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I just looked underneath again. He definitely did the cheap 3.5 lift as the control arms are factory still. Rough country does offer the more expensive kit that includes them but this was not that kit. I ordered the aev and the shop doing the alignment this morning told me they can' help my issue at all until those brackets are installed.
And, it does, or does not, have the dropped pitman and front trackbar bracket installed? (I can sort of see the pitman in this pic, but can't really tell...)
Last edited by nthinuf; 02-09-2018 at 11:40 AM.
#17
JK Jedi
#18
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Thanks for noticing that. As you can tell I'm no jeep expert. I'e lifted three of my Silverado's myself, but they were completely different beasts compared to this and very simple actually. I'l get some more pics and hopefully get a bit of advice on where to start trying to fix this mess. Thanks guys, I was trying to avoid taking it to a 4x4 shop and spending crazy money on what can hopefully be a simple fix.
#19
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Thanks for noticing that. As you can tell I'm no jeep expert. I'e lifted three of my Silverado's myself, but they were completely different beasts compared to this and very simple actually. I'l get some more pics and hopefully get a bit of advice on where to start trying to fix this mess. Thanks guys, I was trying to avoid taking it to a 4x4 shop and spending crazy money on what can hopefully be a simple fix.
#20
JK Jedi
It adjusts caster, but out of the 3 available methods of doing so, it's the worst one.