Steering issue after steering upgrades
11-07-2022, 03:06 AM
#1
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Va beach
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Steering issue after steering upgrades
Good morning everyone, let me give you a rundown of what is happening. Everything has always been installed by myself, no issues at all. However I recently installed a cavfab steering kit w/drag link flip. Everything was properly measured out, torqued to spec etc etc. I know it needs an alignment and I am hoping that is mostly the issue but this is what I am feeling, on the road/hwy the steering wheel jerks about an inch to the left or right, and when braking it jerks even harder and under heavy braking if the steering wheel is turned at all I can feel some weird vibration and almost complete loss of steering. Also as I kept driving a burning/brake smell was noticed. I checked everything last night and can not find the issue. It has brand new tie rod, brand new flipped drag link, brand new falcon nexus steering stabilizer, brand new track bar and brakes. Any help would be appreciated, I am taking it today to a shop for the first time ever to have them give it a 1 over and do an alignment. But can an alignment cause this many issues, I certainly don't think so. Thanks
Matt
Matt
Last edited by Matt K; 11-07-2022 at 03:58 AM.
11-07-2022, 06:34 AM
#2
JK Jedi
No problems at all prior to replacing the DL right (ie, all the other stuff you did was before this update or was it all at once)? When you did the flip you also raised the TB bracket on the axle? This does not seem like an alignment issue to me. You also did not change anything in the alignment specs from before to after outside of the angle your DL and TB should be running. The only thing that comes into play in those changes would have been re-centering your steering wheel.
When you say it feels like "complete loss of steering" is that because your steering wheel is wobbling all over the place or something else? kinda hard to tell what you're explaining there. What are the other specs on this jeep? Year? Lift? Tire size?
When you say it feels like "complete loss of steering" is that because your steering wheel is wobbling all over the place or something else? kinda hard to tell what you're explaining there. What are the other specs on this jeep? Year? Lift? Tire size?
11-07-2022, 06:45 AM
#3
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Va beach
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No problems at all prior to replacing the DL right (ie, all the other stuff you did was before this update or was it all at once)? When you did the flip you also raised the TB bracket on the axle? This does not seem like an alignment issue to me. You also did not change anything in the alignment specs from before to after outside of the angle your DL and TB should be running. The only thing that comes into play in those changes would have been re-centering your steering wheel.
When you say it feels like "complete loss of steering" is that because your steering wheel is wobbling all over the place or something else? kinda hard to tell what you're explaining there. What are the other specs on this jeep? Year? Lift? Tire size?
When you say it feels like "complete loss of steering" is that because your steering wheel is wobbling all over the place or something else? kinda hard to tell what you're explaining there. What are the other specs on this jeep? Year? Lift? Tire size?
Currently my setup is:
Ranch 9000 shocks
3 inch teraflex springs
1.25 teraflex body lift
cavfab 1.5" aluminum tie rod and flipped drag link
falcon ef 2.1 stabilizer
11-07-2022, 06:49 AM
#4
JK Jedi
Having that DL and TB unparallel can cause some real headaches. I would get that remedied and then reassess the situation. I think I'd probably not worry about the braking smell till that is done and can test drive again.
Do you have any sort of caster correction with that 3" lift?
Do you have any sort of caster correction with that 3" lift?
11-07-2022, 06:59 AM
#5
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Va beach
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having that DL and TB unparallel can cause some real headaches. I would get that remedied and then reassess the situation. I think I'd probably not worry about the braking smell till that is done and can test drive again.
Do you have any sort of caster correction with that 3" lift?
Do you have any sort of caster correction with that 3" lift?
11-07-2022, 07:28 AM
#6
JK Jedi
Your caster is probably close to 3° then with no correction. If you get an alignment I'd be curious to know the actual caster reported back. Raising that back up above 4 will make a big difference when you get around to that.
At 3" lift, you are bare minimum for a DL flip. If you get offroad and in flexy situations, you might watch for your new DL to hit the bottom of your frame rail. That would be your concern. Zooming in on the picture it does not look like you have bumpstops installed in the front springs, unless they are coming down from the top and not pictured. You should have 3" bumpstops with that DL flip to help with the frame rail issue.
At 3" lift, you are bare minimum for a DL flip. If you get offroad and in flexy situations, you might watch for your new DL to hit the bottom of your frame rail. That would be your concern. Zooming in on the picture it does not look like you have bumpstops installed in the front springs, unless they are coming down from the top and not pictured. You should have 3" bumpstops with that DL flip to help with the frame rail issue.
11-07-2022, 07:41 AM
#7
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Va beach
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your caster is probably close to 3° then with no correction. If you get an alignment I'd be curious to know the actual caster reported back. Raising that back up above 4 will make a big difference when you get around to that.
At 3" lift, you are bare minimum for a DL flip. If you get offroad and in flexy situations, you might watch for your new DL to hit the bottom of your frame rail. That would be your concern. Zooming in on the picture it does not look like you have bumpstops installed in the front springs, unless they are coming down from the top and not pictured. You should have 3" bumpstops with that DL flip to help with the frame rail issue.
At 3" lift, you are bare minimum for a DL flip. If you get offroad and in flexy situations, you might watch for your new DL to hit the bottom of your frame rail. That would be your concern. Zooming in on the picture it does not look like you have bumpstops installed in the front springs, unless they are coming down from the top and not pictured. You should have 3" bumpstops with that DL flip to help with the frame rail issue.
Trending Topics
07-30-2023, 01:53 AM
#8
JK Newbie
Looking at your pictures, specifically the first picture where the lower control arm is shown, i see a regular factory bolt. They make a small little square block with an offset hole to adjust the caster back slightly. Maybe someone else will know more of what im describing but it should help you get a better driving feel if you could get your caster closer to where it should be.
The heat issue is going to be a clogged heater core. Do a good couple of flushes with water to get the last bits of casting sand out then replace the heater core. There are videos on Youtube about an easy way and right way to do the heater core. I have used the easy way method without any complaints.
The heat issue is going to be a clogged heater core. Do a good couple of flushes with water to get the last bits of casting sand out then replace the heater core. There are videos on Youtube about an easy way and right way to do the heater core. I have used the easy way method without any complaints.
08-01-2023, 10:06 AM
#9
Super Moderator
My guess is when you fix caster and bump steer you will have it licked. Twitchy steering is also an indication of not enough + caster. Looks like reduced turn radius in the pictures with the wheel set full turn or is that just picture angle?.
08-01-2023, 04:00 PM
#10
JK Enthusiast
Looking at your pictures, specifically the first picture where the lower control arm is shown, i see a regular factory bolt. They make a small little square block with an offset hole to adjust the caster back slightly. Maybe someone else will know more of what im describing but it should help you get a better driving feel if you could get your caster closer to where it should be.