Wandering TJ
 

2000 TJ Sahara
6 cylinder
Automatic Trans
30,000 miles
BDS 3 inch Lift Kit

I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct but
then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I took
the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it in
and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who alighned
it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over diverences
in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
can do.

Thanks

Re: Wandering TJ
 

Have them re-check your toe-in/out.
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

Dennis Croll wrote:
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks
>

Re: Wandering TJ
 

Have them re-check your toe-in/out.
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

Dennis Croll wrote:
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks
>

Re: Wandering TJ
 

Have them re-check your toe-in/out.
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

Dennis Croll wrote:
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks
>

Re: Wandering TJ
 

That usually means the toe in isn't correct 'if' there are no worn out
parts.

Worn out parts like tie rod ends will cause a wander. You can grab each
wheel with the steering locked and twist it right and left. If you feel
play or give or a thunk, then check the tie rod ends.

One other is the track bar bushing. If you can have someone pin the
steering from side to side while you watch the ends of the track bar for
movement. Any movement in the bushing will cause a wander.

You can check the toe yourself with a tape measure. I go from the tire
seam to the seam on the other side as far up as I can reach. I then go
to the back of the tire and do the same. I think you should have about
1/8" less in front than the rear.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Dennis Croll wrote:
>
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks

Re: Wandering TJ
 

That usually means the toe in isn't correct 'if' there are no worn out
parts.

Worn out parts like tie rod ends will cause a wander. You can grab each
wheel with the steering locked and twist it right and left. If you feel
play or give or a thunk, then check the tie rod ends.

One other is the track bar bushing. If you can have someone pin the
steering from side to side while you watch the ends of the track bar for
movement. Any movement in the bushing will cause a wander.

You can check the toe yourself with a tape measure. I go from the tire
seam to the seam on the other side as far up as I can reach. I then go
to the back of the tire and do the same. I think you should have about
1/8" less in front than the rear.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Dennis Croll wrote:
>
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks

Re: Wandering TJ
 

That usually means the toe in isn't correct 'if' there are no worn out
parts.

Worn out parts like tie rod ends will cause a wander. You can grab each
wheel with the steering locked and twist it right and left. If you feel
play or give or a thunk, then check the tie rod ends.

One other is the track bar bushing. If you can have someone pin the
steering from side to side while you watch the ends of the track bar for
movement. Any movement in the bushing will cause a wander.

You can check the toe yourself with a tape measure. I go from the tire
seam to the seam on the other side as far up as I can reach. I then go
to the back of the tire and do the same. I think you should have about
1/8" less in front than the rear.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Dennis Croll wrote:
>
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks

Re: Wandering TJ
 

Most lifts will screw up the caster angle to where it will have less of an
"on center" feeling, a lift like yours probably put it less than 4 degrees.
You can adjust the caster with adjustable upper control arms or cam bolts
for the LCA's, but you would throw the front pinion angle out of whack. FSM
says the pinion angle takes precedence over caster angle. Short of
relocating the suspension bracketry, or relocating the steering knuckles on
the ends of the axle, it's something you'll probably have to live with

That said, the lower caster angle itself exacerbates bad toe-in, so have
the alignment checked again.

"Dennis Croll" <dcportland@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:qZednX1h56_AgXfenZ2dnUVZ_tSdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct
> but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I
> took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it
> in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who
> alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over
> diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks
>

Re: Wandering TJ
 

Most lifts will screw up the caster angle to where it will have less of an
"on center" feeling, a lift like yours probably put it less than 4 degrees.
You can adjust the caster with adjustable upper control arms or cam bolts
for the LCA's, but you would throw the front pinion angle out of whack. FSM
says the pinion angle takes precedence over caster angle. Short of
relocating the suspension bracketry, or relocating the steering knuckles on
the ends of the axle, it's something you'll probably have to live with

That said, the lower caster angle itself exacerbates bad toe-in, so have
the alignment checked again.

"Dennis Croll" <dcportland@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:qZednX1h56_AgXfenZ2dnUVZ_tSdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct
> but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I
> took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it
> in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who
> alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over
> diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks
>

Re: Wandering TJ
 

Most lifts will screw up the caster angle to where it will have less of an
"on center" feeling, a lift like yours probably put it less than 4 degrees.
You can adjust the caster with adjustable upper control arms or cam bolts
for the LCA's, but you would throw the front pinion angle out of whack. FSM
says the pinion angle takes precedence over caster angle. Short of
relocating the suspension bracketry, or relocating the steering knuckles on
the ends of the axle, it's something you'll probably have to live with

That said, the lower caster angle itself exacerbates bad toe-in, so have
the alignment checked again.

"Dennis Croll" <dcportland@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:qZednX1h56_AgXfenZ2dnUVZ_tSdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> 2000 TJ Sahara
> 6 cylinder
> Automatic Trans
> 30,000 miles
> BDS 3 inch Lift Kit
>
> I purchased this Jeep with about 20,000 miles on it and it drove perfectly
> straight. I decided to put a lift kit on it so I had a BDS 3 inch lift
> installed on it with new wheels and 33 X 10.5 tires. They ballanced the
> wheels and did the alignment and I picked it up. It looks great but it
> seems to wander and it only takes a small turn the other way to correct
> but
> then it wanders that way so it is a constant wandering feeling. Well I
> took
> the vehicle back and mentioned the wandering to them and they said that it
> was probable a combination of the larger tires and the lift that caused it
> to wander. I have driven the vehicle for about 10,000 miles thinking it
> would maybe fix itself but it did not. I thought maybe I should take it
> in
> and see if the alignment is really correct and maybe the person who
> alighned
> it did it wrong or something. Then the other day I was reading in a news
> group about another person having this trouble. Could someone give me an
> idea what I should do to see if I can make this vehicle drive straight.
> Also another strange this about the lift kit is when you go over
> diverences
> in terrain like going up a steep driveway the like kit makes all kinds of
> squecking noises almost like the bushings or something is too tight.
> Anyway I would be very happy if someone would give me any ideas on what I
> can do.
>
> Thanks
>