Jeff DeWitt

I noticed a similar problem a while back in my truck (not a Jeep). While
it never actually spun out it sure felt like it wanted to. What I
finally found was that rear leaf springs had broken!

A new set of leaf springs and everything was fine.

I'd check the springs, bushings and shocks... after checking the tire
pressure of course.

Jeff DeWitt

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.
>
> At first I thought I was just imagining it, but recently, when the
> roads were wet--I spun out at two separate intersections in the middle
> of the turn as if I were driving on ice--(It was Texas in May!) I know
> the roads can be slick when it rains for the first time after a dry
> spell--but at the speed I was traveling it didn't make sense.
>
> It's becoming more noticeable--even my passengers comment on it. And
> now I feel a it on the curves in the road--not just the turns.
>
> My tires are fine, and I'm paying close attention to how/when I
> accelerate.
>
> Any ideas on what it could be?
>

Jeff DeWitt

I noticed a similar problem a while back in my truck (not a Jeep). While
it never actually spun out it sure felt like it wanted to. What I
finally found was that rear leaf springs had broken!

A new set of leaf springs and everything was fine.

I'd check the springs, bushings and shocks... after checking the tire
pressure of course.

Jeff DeWitt

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.
>
> At first I thought I was just imagining it, but recently, when the
> roads were wet--I spun out at two separate intersections in the middle
> of the turn as if I were driving on ice--(It was Texas in May!) I know
> the roads can be slick when it rains for the first time after a dry
> spell--but at the speed I was traveling it didn't make sense.
>
> It's becoming more noticeable--even my passengers comment on it. And
> now I feel a it on the curves in the road--not just the turns.
>
> My tires are fine, and I'm paying close attention to how/when I
> accelerate.
>
> Any ideas on what it could be?
>

Jeff DeWitt

I noticed a similar problem a while back in my truck (not a Jeep). While
it never actually spun out it sure felt like it wanted to. What I
finally found was that rear leaf springs had broken!

A new set of leaf springs and everything was fine.

I'd check the springs, bushings and shocks... after checking the tire
pressure of course.

Jeff DeWitt

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.
>
> At first I thought I was just imagining it, but recently, when the
> roads were wet--I spun out at two separate intersections in the middle
> of the turn as if I were driving on ice--(It was Texas in May!) I know
> the roads can be slick when it rains for the first time after a dry
> spell--but at the speed I was traveling it didn't make sense.
>
> It's becoming more noticeable--even my passengers comment on it. And
> now I feel a it on the curves in the road--not just the turns.
>
> My tires are fine, and I'm paying close attention to how/when I
> accelerate.
>
> Any ideas on what it could be?
>

Simon Juncal

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.

How much have you inspected under there? Check your leaf springs, frame
and spring eye Rubber bushings these are the rubber cylinders that
isolate the spring hanger bolts, at both ends of the spring and on the
frame connected to the shackle. Inspect for broken or cracked U-bolts,
also if your shocks are dead enough the flat very soft YJ springs might
allow the wheels to loose traction in turns that contain some roughness
or bumps that would otherwise be tamed by properly functioning shocks.

Also the rear shackle mounts are notorious for rusting completely off of
the frame. while you're under there Check the forward spring mount
brackets for cracks, and look at the track bar which holds the axle in
line under the vehicle.

While none of these is the "most likely suspect" more than any other
they could all cause traction loss while cornering.

These are also very obvious things but you don't mention having looked
at anything at all besides the tires.

Another obvious thing is to stop freakin driving it until to figure out
the problem, if you kill someone while you're tying to analyze the
problem in a damn Usenet news group... Well you'll deserve the
manslaughter sentence.

--
Simon
"I may be wrong, but I'm not uncertain." -- Robert A. Heinlein

Simon Juncal

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.

How much have you inspected under there? Check your leaf springs, frame
and spring eye Rubber bushings these are the rubber cylinders that
isolate the spring hanger bolts, at both ends of the spring and on the
frame connected to the shackle. Inspect for broken or cracked U-bolts,
also if your shocks are dead enough the flat very soft YJ springs might
allow the wheels to loose traction in turns that contain some roughness
or bumps that would otherwise be tamed by properly functioning shocks.

Also the rear shackle mounts are notorious for rusting completely off of
the frame. while you're under there Check the forward spring mount
brackets for cracks, and look at the track bar which holds the axle in
line under the vehicle.

While none of these is the "most likely suspect" more than any other
they could all cause traction loss while cornering.

These are also very obvious things but you don't mention having looked
at anything at all besides the tires.

Another obvious thing is to stop freakin driving it until to figure out
the problem, if you kill someone while you're tying to analyze the
problem in a damn Usenet news group... Well you'll deserve the
manslaughter sentence.

--
Simon
"I may be wrong, but I'm not uncertain." -- Robert A. Heinlein

Simon Juncal

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.

How much have you inspected under there? Check your leaf springs, frame
and spring eye Rubber bushings these are the rubber cylinders that
isolate the spring hanger bolts, at both ends of the spring and on the
frame connected to the shackle. Inspect for broken or cracked U-bolts,
also if your shocks are dead enough the flat very soft YJ springs might
allow the wheels to loose traction in turns that contain some roughness
or bumps that would otherwise be tamed by properly functioning shocks.

Also the rear shackle mounts are notorious for rusting completely off of
the frame. while you're under there Check the forward spring mount
brackets for cracks, and look at the track bar which holds the axle in
line under the vehicle.

While none of these is the "most likely suspect" more than any other
they could all cause traction loss while cornering.

These are also very obvious things but you don't mention having looked
at anything at all besides the tires.

Another obvious thing is to stop freakin driving it until to figure out
the problem, if you kill someone while you're tying to analyze the
problem in a damn Usenet news group... Well you'll deserve the
manslaughter sentence.

--
Simon
"I may be wrong, but I'm not uncertain." -- Robert A. Heinlein

Jeff DeWitt

Yes, as Simon pointed out, STOP DRIVING this thing until you get it
fixed, very bad things can happen when you spin out!

Jeff DeWitt

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.
>
> At first I thought I was just imagining it, but recently, when the
> roads were wet--I spun out at two separate intersections in the middle
> of the turn as if I were driving on ice--(It was Texas in May!) I know
> the roads can be slick when it rains for the first time after a dry
> spell--but at the speed I was traveling it didn't make sense.
>
> It's becoming more noticeable--even my passengers comment on it. And
> now I feel a it on the curves in the road--not just the turns.
>
> My tires are fine, and I'm paying close attention to how/when I
> accelerate.
>
> Any ideas on what it could be?
>

Jeff DeWitt

Yes, as Simon pointed out, STOP DRIVING this thing until you get it
fixed, very bad things can happen when you spin out!

Jeff DeWitt

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.
>
> At first I thought I was just imagining it, but recently, when the
> roads were wet--I spun out at two separate intersections in the middle
> of the turn as if I were driving on ice--(It was Texas in May!) I know
> the roads can be slick when it rains for the first time after a dry
> spell--but at the speed I was traveling it didn't make sense.
>
> It's becoming more noticeable--even my passengers comment on it. And
> now I feel a it on the curves in the road--not just the turns.
>
> My tires are fine, and I'm paying close attention to how/when I
> accelerate.
>
> Any ideas on what it could be?
>

Jeff DeWitt

Yes, as Simon pointed out, STOP DRIVING this thing until you get it
fixed, very bad things can happen when you spin out!

Jeff DeWitt

tales wrote:
> I have a 94 Jeep Wrangler. Recently, I've noticed that when I turn, it
> feels like my back end is sliding out--even when I'm cornering at slow
> speeds on dry roads.
>
> At first I thought I was just imagining it, but recently, when the
> roads were wet--I spun out at two separate intersections in the middle
> of the turn as if I were driving on ice--(It was Texas in May!) I know
> the roads can be slick when it rains for the first time after a dry
> spell--but at the speed I was traveling it didn't make sense.
>
> It's becoming more noticeable--even my passengers comment on it. And
> now I feel a it on the curves in the road--not just the turns.
>
> My tires are fine, and I'm paying close attention to how/when I
> accelerate.
>
> Any ideas on what it could be?
>

tales

Tires are 235 with 28 PSI all around. Thanks for the feedback...I'll be
taking into the shop tomorrow.