what causes the steering wheel to become off center after wheeling? It also became off center after installing 1" pucks. Just curious.
thanks.
jeff

 

When you change the distance of the axle in relation to the frame from the original configuration the steering wheel alignment will normally be off. It should make sense that you changed the distance and angles for the steering rods that must be aligned to make the steering wheel center when tracking straight. It is any easy fix to correct. In the same way off road driving and compressing or flexing the springs may temporarily or permanently result in a change in that distance as well. Releasing the swaybar allows everything to move greater distances (good thing) and may not be back the way it was after some major wheelin.

By the way this small off center problem could cause esp issues with the computer because it may think you are in a greater turn than you are for the sensors.

The design of the latest JK versions should not need "wheel alignment" for 3 in or less lifts.

 

thanks for the info.

 

I bet you a whole dollar that you bent your steering stabalizer.

 

Oh yeah that'll do a number on it as well! I wouldn't take that bet.

 

I've noticed this too after driving up a big rock or something where the suspension flexes the steering wheel is out of alignment. Yea its an easy fix just adjust the turnbuckle but something doesnt seem right i never had that happen to me with my TJ. So does that mean that everytime i go off-road i gotta adjust my steering doesnt make any sense. And nothing can possible be bent because it never had the chance to even bend i've never put the jeep in a situation where it could.

 

Yesterday I went wheeling and my right front tire hit an embankment while going down a steep grade. My steering wheel spun out of my hands and it was stuck to full right. I had to back up a little to be able to turn the wheel. On the way home, my steering wheel was a bit off, but it drove fine. I looked under and saw no damage. I adjusted the wheel back to straight. I wonder if I should have a shop look at it also (get an alignment).
My wheels are 15x10 with 4" backspacing. I have 35x14.5 Super Swamper Boggers. The leverage of large wheels that stick out is quite great, and I wonder if I have any damage that I am not seeing.