Hello,
Hopefully posting in the right place. We have a 2017 JK Rubicon and having issues with the steering. Steering wheel will go slightly to the right after hitting bumps (if you have to correct to the right), traction control comes on. If you have another bump that requires you to correct to left, wheel goes back to center and seems normal until it happens again. We have a Pro-comp lift and suspension that came with Jeep when we purchased. 35" tires if that matters.

Am a bit hobbled at the moment due to a medical issue, so haven't poked around too much yet but looking for any input on possible causes. I do see some residue on one of the stabilizers so it probably needs replaced, but can't imagine it would let steering wheel wander like that.

Thanks for any direction on possible culprits

 

You’re getting bump steer, it’s common for a lifted solid axle vehicle. However, you can minimize it with proper lift stuff. You mentioned a procomp lift, can you take a picture of your front suspension and post it up? If your drag link and track bar are at a steep angle then your bump steer will be more severe. Or if your drag link and track bar are not parallel then your bump steer will also be more severe.

 

Will post a few pics this evening, thanks for any input. Will likely have to take to shop to have repaired, but want to know what I am talking about when I take it in.

 

Most Pro-Comp lifts don't come with an acceptable form of caster correction. At best, if you want to look at it like this, is they have cam bolts in the lower control arm mounts on the axle. You very likely have low caster with is accentuating the effects. I highly doubt it's anything with the steering box in an '17, at least it's not there on the top of the list given explanation/lift at this juncture.

Take some pictures and post them up, cuz shops can really give you a bunch of BS whereas we're a bit more straightforward with you. If you have no caster correction, a set of $100 control arm brackets is probably a good solution for you to raise the caster back to an acceptable range.

You could have a bad joint in the mix as well, but first things first. With bumpsteer that wheel will jump to a side, but it doesn't just stay positioned that way. Are you saying the steering wheel physically stays turned cockeyed even after the bump?

 

Yes, that's what doesn't make sense to me. It will stay slightly to the right, and unless you hit another bump will stay that way for a bit. Anti traction light will come on as well and then go back off when it corrects. It wasnt that way when we purchased a few months ago so I am thinking something bent/broken/ or worn. It is definitely a handful on a bumpy road or in wind, much more than when we got it.

 

I'm not saying that SS isn't shot, but you don't need a SS to for it to have nice road manners. That 100% isn't the main problem here, but I can almost guarantee if you roll into a shop right now that is what they will point to as a remedy. I know you mentioned medical issues, but if you have a 13mm wrench (of maybe it's 15mm....i can't recall on factory drag link), you might just confirm the bolts on the DL turnbuckle are tightened down. Maybe there's a chance previous owner or shop straightened the steering and failed to crank those bolts back down. (that's not going to solve the bumpsteer issue either way, but the steering wheel shouldn't stay to one side like that after a bump).

 

I can check those bolts easily enough, just can't do any major major projects. (one armed at the moment due to IV infusion for a heart problem I shouldn't have) Don't smoke, barely drink, and work out 4-5 days a week WTF, can't fight genetics I guess.

 

 

Looks like a bent bracket on the drivers side stabilizer. Could that be the cause?

 

First observation is that you have 3 steering dampers, wow! Whoever installed the procomp setup should have removed the factory damper. And yea, your procomp damper bushings are definitely bad, and it looks like your driver side damper is blown. I’d just remove all the dampers, that may be a one handed job if you can tackle it.

However, that won’t cause your steering wheel to stay to one side when you go over a bump. If you hit a bump and your steering doesn’t return to the same place then you have a bigger mechanical issue. Do you have a large dead spot in your steering? Meaning, when you drive, are you able to turn your wheel a good amount before you get a corresponding turn from the wheels?