Ok, so here's the short story. I've lifted my jeep using various parts (no specific kit, more of a custom job) several months ago. Yesterday, as I was driving to dinner, it occurred to me that my left turns are severely cut short. I can cut the wheel two full turns to the right, but I get to turn the wheel only about 3/4 turn to the left (from center). So, technically, I can make left turns, but only barely.

Regular driving on the road is ok, since you really only turn the wheel a little bit... but getting home, I had to plan out my trip so as not to make any left turns at intersections, etc.

I got underneath the vehicle, and didn't see anything hitting anything else. However, the only thing I did see, was when the wheel was all the way to the right, the steering stabilizer had a few inches available to compress. Would this mean that when the wheel turns to the left (and the stabilizer shock is extended) that its maxing out on extension, keeping the wheels from turning?

Thats the only thing I saw, but I don't really think thats it, because its been fine for the past several months.

Any ideas?
Also, anyone in the Dumfries - Manassas area, or for that matter, any part of Prince William wanna come by and look, msg or email me...

Thanks

(Funny thing is, my folks used to tell my brother and me stories of their old Fiat, years and years ago that lost its left turn capability... guess there was some truth to it after all...)

 

Before you even got to it I was thinking "steering stab needs to be adjusted". Unbolt the steering stabilizer completely and drive it around (stabilizer only dampens the impact of hits to the tires so it's not critical). If this corrects it, pull the rod on the stabilizer all the way out (to full extension) and measure it, then compress it all the way and measure it again. Then pull it back out to the middle point, center your tires and reconnect the stabilizer so that it is halfway through it's stroke with the tires centered. This will give you equal dampening and extension on either side. You will probably have to loosen the bolts on the brace that it connects to on the Tie Rod and slide the bracket over. Basic hand tools and a couple of minutes should fix it (if that's the problem).

 

X2 on the stabilizer. Loosen it and turn the wheel lock to lock. Then re adjust it.

 

Figured I'd update the thread, with what happened.

Well, after I got home from work, I got underneath the JK, unbolted the shock from the Steering Stabilizer bracket from the Tie Rod, and just held the stabilizer shock in place with zip-ties. Sure enough, left hand turns again.

Since I had a local mechanic do some of the lift install, my thoughts are that the bracket wasn't as tight as it should be, and over time, would slip along the tie-rod. As it made turns, it would rock back and forth, essentially binding itself against the rod.

Also, while I was under there, I went ahead and reconnected the ABS connectors that were left unconnected from said mechanic.

Don't get me wrong, these guys are great with the engine work that I usually have them work on, and they told me that they don't do lift kits... but I didn't have the required equipment to do the brake lines, and had them do those with a request for putting the springs in.

Long story short, if I have to do this again, I'm doing it myself!

 

Ya, I had to do some maneuvering of the wires to make sure they had slack enough to reach.
Thats why the mechanic wouldn't plug them in.

Though, if someone came up with some extension sets, they could make a huge amount of money off that... well, at least $20!