TJ not returning to center after turn
08-25-2007, 07:35 PM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> 97tjMike wrote:
> > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > replacement)
> > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > anyways)
> > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > ago.
>
> > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
> I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> 97tjMike wrote:
> > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > replacement)
> > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > anyways)
> > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > ago.
>
> > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
08-25-2007, 07:35 PM
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> 97tjMike wrote:
> > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > replacement)
> > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > anyways)
> > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > ago.
>
> > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
> I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> 97tjMike wrote:
> > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > replacement)
> > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > anyways)
> > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > ago.
>
> > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
08-25-2007, 07:35 PM
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> 97tjMike wrote:
> > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > replacement)
> > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > anyways)
> > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > ago.
>
> > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
> I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> 97tjMike wrote:
> > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > replacement)
> > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > anyways)
> > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > ago.
>
> > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
08-25-2007, 07:37 PM
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
On Aug 25, 7:35 pm, 97tjMike <MichaelJun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> > the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> > an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> > I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> > the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> > You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> > using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> > bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> > 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> > Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> > rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> > might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> > On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> > they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> > 97tjMike wrote:
> > > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > > replacement)
> > > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > > anyways)
> > > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > > ago.
>
> > > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>
> Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
> when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
> had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
My only concern is that I had it inspected last month by the dealer,
and wouldn't a ball joint be grounds for failure in NY?
> On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> > the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> > an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> > I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> > the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> > You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> > using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> > bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> > 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> > Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> > rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> > might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> > On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> > they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> > 97tjMike wrote:
> > > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > > replacement)
> > > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > > anyways)
> > > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > > ago.
>
> > > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>
> Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
> when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
> had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
My only concern is that I had it inspected last month by the dealer,
and wouldn't a ball joint be grounds for failure in NY?
08-25-2007, 07:37 PM
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
On Aug 25, 7:35 pm, 97tjMike <MichaelJun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> > the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> > an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> > I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> > the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> > You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> > using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> > bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> > 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> > Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> > rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> > might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> > On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> > they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> > 97tjMike wrote:
> > > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > > replacement)
> > > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > > anyways)
> > > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > > ago.
>
> > > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>
> Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
> when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
> had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
My only concern is that I had it inspected last month by the dealer,
and wouldn't a ball joint be grounds for failure in NY?
> On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> > the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> > an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> > I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> > the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> > You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> > using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> > bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> > 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> > Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> > rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> > might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> > On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> > they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> > 97tjMike wrote:
> > > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > > replacement)
> > > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > > anyways)
> > > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > > ago.
>
> > > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>
> Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
> when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
> had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
My only concern is that I had it inspected last month by the dealer,
and wouldn't a ball joint be grounds for failure in NY?
08-25-2007, 07:37 PM
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
On Aug 25, 7:35 pm, 97tjMike <MichaelJun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> > the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> > an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> > I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> > the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> > You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> > using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> > bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> > 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> > Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> > rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> > might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> > On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> > they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> > 97tjMike wrote:
> > > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > > replacement)
> > > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > > anyways)
> > > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > > ago.
>
> > > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>
> Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
> when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
> had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
My only concern is that I had it inspected last month by the dealer,
and wouldn't a ball joint be grounds for failure in NY?
> On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> > the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> > an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> > I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> > the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> > You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> > using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> > bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> > 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> > Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> > rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> > might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> > On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> > they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> > 97tjMike wrote:
> > > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > > replacement)
> > > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > > anyways)
> > > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > > ago.
>
> > > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>
> Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
> when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
> had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
My only concern is that I had it inspected last month by the dealer,
and wouldn't a ball joint be grounds for failure in NY?
08-25-2007, 07:37 PM
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
On Aug 25, 7:35 pm, 97tjMike <MichaelJun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> > the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> > an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> > I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> > the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> > You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> > using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> > bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> > 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> > Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> > rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> > might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> > On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> > they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> > 97tjMike wrote:
> > > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > > replacement)
> > > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > > anyways)
> > > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > > ago.
>
> > > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>
> Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
> when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
> had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
My only concern is that I had it inspected last month by the dealer,
and wouldn't a ball joint be grounds for failure in NY?
> On Aug 25, 12:12 pm, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I had a grabbing and not returning issue on my CJ7 a bit ago. I checked
> > the steering shock first and found out it wasn't a shock, only a rod in
> > an empty tube so that wasn't the cause.
>
> > I then found a lower ball joint bad during a grease job when I noticed
> > the torn boot. Replaced that and all is well again.
>
> > You can sometimes pick off a bad ball joint by looking at the tires or
> > using a level even. If one tire seems to sit out at the top or bottom a
> > bit more than the other side, suspect a bad ball joint. You need a
> > 'big' pry bar to get movement in them with the solid axle setup.
>
> > Sometimes if you are a big person, you can grab the top of the tire and
> > rock it in and out hard enough to get the Jeep just a bouncing, you
> > might feel a click or thunk or shift as the joint flexes.
>
> > On a TJ, you also might want to check the track bar bushings. If worn,
> > they can cause it to 'hang' before centering too.
>
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> > 97tjMike wrote:
> > > I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> > > while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> > > steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> > > attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> > > straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> > > center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> > > something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> > > U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> > > due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> > > enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> > > alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> > > part. Here's what I know:
>
> > > Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> > > replacement)
> > > Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> > > New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> > > anyways)
> > > Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> > > ago.
>
> > > I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> > > inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> > > adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>
> Hmm, I think I possibally may have found the problem. I do remember
> when I last lubed the chassis, the lower ball joint on the drives side
> had a rip in the boot. I wonder if this is it.
My only concern is that I had it inspected last month by the dealer,
and wouldn't a ball joint be grounds for failure in NY?
08-25-2007, 07:40 PM
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
Jeff, your description is right, but it is positive caster when the
upper ball joint in tilted back from the lower.
http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowle...article-37.htm
Also, I would bet that the angle spec you gave him is not correct
because of the negative value. Maybe that is the camber spec?
If I'm not mistaken, most 4x4 vehicles have several degrees of caster.
Chris
Jeff Strickland wrote:
> You are describing the classic symptom of improper Caster Angle.
>
> Draw an imaginary line from the lower to the upper ball joints that
> passes through the center of the spindle. This line must favor leaning
> toward the back of the vehicle, I _think_ this is called "negative
> caster," but I'm not entirely certain of the term.
>
> This problem typically come after adding a lift kit.
>
>
>
>
>
> "97tjMike" <MichaelJunior@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1188057081.813118.205020@q4g2000prc.googlegro ups.com...
>> I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
>> while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
>> steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
>> attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
>> straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
>> center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
>> something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
>> U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
>> due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
>> enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
>> alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
>> part. Here's what I know:
>>
>> Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
>> replacement)
>> Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
>> New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
>> anyways)
>> Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
>> ago.
>>
>> I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
>> inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
>> adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>>
>
upper ball joint in tilted back from the lower.
http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowle...article-37.htm
Also, I would bet that the angle spec you gave him is not correct
because of the negative value. Maybe that is the camber spec?
If I'm not mistaken, most 4x4 vehicles have several degrees of caster.
Chris
Jeff Strickland wrote:
> You are describing the classic symptom of improper Caster Angle.
>
> Draw an imaginary line from the lower to the upper ball joints that
> passes through the center of the spindle. This line must favor leaning
> toward the back of the vehicle, I _think_ this is called "negative
> caster," but I'm not entirely certain of the term.
>
> This problem typically come after adding a lift kit.
>
>
>
>
>
> "97tjMike" <MichaelJunior@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1188057081.813118.205020@q4g2000prc.googlegro ups.com...
>> I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
>> while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
>> steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
>> attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
>> straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
>> center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
>> something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
>> U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
>> due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
>> enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
>> alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
>> part. Here's what I know:
>>
>> Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
>> replacement)
>> Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
>> New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
>> anyways)
>> Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
>> ago.
>>
>> I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
>> inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
>> adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>>
>
08-25-2007, 07:40 PM
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
Jeff, your description is right, but it is positive caster when the
upper ball joint in tilted back from the lower.
http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowle...article-37.htm
Also, I would bet that the angle spec you gave him is not correct
because of the negative value. Maybe that is the camber spec?
If I'm not mistaken, most 4x4 vehicles have several degrees of caster.
Chris
Jeff Strickland wrote:
> You are describing the classic symptom of improper Caster Angle.
>
> Draw an imaginary line from the lower to the upper ball joints that
> passes through the center of the spindle. This line must favor leaning
> toward the back of the vehicle, I _think_ this is called "negative
> caster," but I'm not entirely certain of the term.
>
> This problem typically come after adding a lift kit.
>
>
>
>
>
> "97tjMike" <MichaelJunior@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1188057081.813118.205020@q4g2000prc.googlegro ups.com...
>> I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
>> while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
>> steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
>> attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
>> straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
>> center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
>> something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
>> U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
>> due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
>> enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
>> alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
>> part. Here's what I know:
>>
>> Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
>> replacement)
>> Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
>> New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
>> anyways)
>> Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
>> ago.
>>
>> I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
>> inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
>> adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>>
>
upper ball joint in tilted back from the lower.
http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowle...article-37.htm
Also, I would bet that the angle spec you gave him is not correct
because of the negative value. Maybe that is the camber spec?
If I'm not mistaken, most 4x4 vehicles have several degrees of caster.
Chris
Jeff Strickland wrote:
> You are describing the classic symptom of improper Caster Angle.
>
> Draw an imaginary line from the lower to the upper ball joints that
> passes through the center of the spindle. This line must favor leaning
> toward the back of the vehicle, I _think_ this is called "negative
> caster," but I'm not entirely certain of the term.
>
> This problem typically come after adding a lift kit.
>
>
>
>
>
> "97tjMike" <MichaelJunior@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1188057081.813118.205020@q4g2000prc.googlegro ups.com...
>> I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
>> while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
>> steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
>> attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
>> straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
>> center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
>> something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
>> U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
>> due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
>> enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
>> alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
>> part. Here's what I know:
>>
>> Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
>> replacement)
>> Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
>> New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
>> anyways)
>> Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
>> ago.
>>
>> I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
>> inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
>> adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>>
>
08-25-2007, 07:40 PM
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: TJ not returning to center after turn
Jeff, your description is right, but it is positive caster when the
upper ball joint in tilted back from the lower.
http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowle...article-37.htm
Also, I would bet that the angle spec you gave him is not correct
because of the negative value. Maybe that is the camber spec?
If I'm not mistaken, most 4x4 vehicles have several degrees of caster.
Chris
Jeff Strickland wrote:
> You are describing the classic symptom of improper Caster Angle.
>
> Draw an imaginary line from the lower to the upper ball joints that
> passes through the center of the spindle. This line must favor leaning
> toward the back of the vehicle, I _think_ this is called "negative
> caster," but I'm not entirely certain of the term.
>
> This problem typically come after adding a lift kit.
>
>
>
>
>
> "97tjMike" <MichaelJunior@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1188057081.813118.205020@q4g2000prc.googlegro ups.com...
>> I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
>> while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
>> steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
>> attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
>> straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
>> center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
>> something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
>> U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
>> due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
>> enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
>> alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
>> part. Here's what I know:
>>
>> Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
>> replacement)
>> Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
>> New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
>> anyways)
>> Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
>> ago.
>>
>> I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
>> inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
>> adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>>
>
upper ball joint in tilted back from the lower.
http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowle...article-37.htm
Also, I would bet that the angle spec you gave him is not correct
because of the negative value. Maybe that is the camber spec?
If I'm not mistaken, most 4x4 vehicles have several degrees of caster.
Chris
Jeff Strickland wrote:
> You are describing the classic symptom of improper Caster Angle.
>
> Draw an imaginary line from the lower to the upper ball joints that
> passes through the center of the spindle. This line must favor leaning
> toward the back of the vehicle, I _think_ this is called "negative
> caster," but I'm not entirely certain of the term.
>
> This problem typically come after adding a lift kit.
>
>
>
>
>
> "97tjMike" <MichaelJunior@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1188057081.813118.205020@q4g2000prc.googlegro ups.com...
>> I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
>> while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
>> steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
>> attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
>> straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
>> center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
>> something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
>> U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
>> due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
>> enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
>> alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
>> part. Here's what I know:
>>
>> Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
>> replacement)
>> Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
>> New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
>> anyways)
>> Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
>> ago.
>>
>> I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
>> inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
>> adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>>
>