Wandering wrangler
 

I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
and into a small ditch.
No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An adjustment
to the toe and was sent home.
I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
this one yet.
It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds it
happens again.

I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
The lower steering pump seems tight.
The track bar does not appear to be bent.
All linkage seems straight.
All ball joints are greased and look good.

I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
luck, other then everything looks straight.

Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to be
looking into.
Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
know.

Curious, can the caster be adjusted?


Thanks for your time and help.

Take care -Jim

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

Hard to tell without seeing it on an alignment machine, what may be causing
it, BUT, check tire inflation too, and yes the caster can be adjusted on
that one, it has "eccentric" bolts on the lower part of the front trailing
arm at the axle. Yes, a bad steering stabilizer can make it worse, but not
cause the problem. I know you said the ball joints are okay, but how about
the tie rods?

Maybe someone else will have more ideas.

Spdloader



"news @ adelphia" <giunca@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:4dednSvJR7FmWHreRVn-vA@adelphia.com...
>I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An
> adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds
> it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to
> be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim
>
>
>

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

Hard to tell without seeing it on an alignment machine, what may be causing
it, BUT, check tire inflation too, and yes the caster can be adjusted on
that one, it has "eccentric" bolts on the lower part of the front trailing
arm at the axle. Yes, a bad steering stabilizer can make it worse, but not
cause the problem. I know you said the ball joints are okay, but how about
the tie rods?

Maybe someone else will have more ideas.

Spdloader



"news @ adelphia" <giunca@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:4dednSvJR7FmWHreRVn-vA@adelphia.com...
>I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An
> adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds
> it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to
> be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim
>
>
>

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

Hard to tell without seeing it on an alignment machine, what may be causing
it, BUT, check tire inflation too, and yes the caster can be adjusted on
that one, it has "eccentric" bolts on the lower part of the front trailing
arm at the axle. Yes, a bad steering stabilizer can make it worse, but not
cause the problem. I know you said the ball joints are okay, but how about
the tie rods?

Maybe someone else will have more ideas.

Spdloader



"news @ adelphia" <giunca@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:4dednSvJR7FmWHreRVn-vA@adelphia.com...
>I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An
> adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds
> it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to
> be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim
>
>
>

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

Well, I have a feeling they adjusted your toe out too much so it now
wanders.

If the tire pressures are even and nothing is broke. Ditches have a
sneaky habit of packing rims with dirt so your tire goes flat maybe
slowly, maybe fast.

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" difference on a TJ at that height. Others might know for sure.

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)

"news @ adelphia" wrote:
>
> I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

Well, I have a feeling they adjusted your toe out too much so it now
wanders.

If the tire pressures are even and nothing is broke. Ditches have a
sneaky habit of packing rims with dirt so your tire goes flat maybe
slowly, maybe fast.

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" difference on a TJ at that height. Others might know for sure.

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)

"news @ adelphia" wrote:
>
> I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

Well, I have a feeling they adjusted your toe out too much so it now
wanders.

If the tire pressures are even and nothing is broke. Ditches have a
sneaky habit of packing rims with dirt so your tire goes flat maybe
slowly, maybe fast.

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" difference on a TJ at that height. Others might know for sure.

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)

"news @ adelphia" wrote:
>
> I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

I would do a quick toe-in test. what I use is two yard sticks that
I slide together to just tough at the bulbist part of the tire at the
front, then clamp them together with visegrips or whatever and transfer
to the rear, and you should have about an eighth of an inch opening. I
think you'll find the stock sixteenth that'll wonder all over the place.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

"news @ adelphia" wrote:
>
> I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

I would do a quick toe-in test. what I use is two yard sticks that
I slide together to just tough at the bulbist part of the tire at the
front, then clamp them together with visegrips or whatever and transfer
to the rear, and you should have about an eighth of an inch opening. I
think you'll find the stock sixteenth that'll wonder all over the place.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

"news @ adelphia" wrote:
>
> I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim

Re: Wandering wrangler
 

I would do a quick toe-in test. what I use is two yard sticks that
I slide together to just tough at the bulbist part of the tire at the
front, then clamp them together with visegrips or whatever and transfer
to the rear, and you should have about an eighth of an inch opening. I
think you'll find the stock sixteenth that'll wonder all over the place.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

"news @ adelphia" wrote:
>
> I have a stock 98 Wrangler with 31x10.5 that my wife went off the road in
> and into a small ditch.
> No apparent damage, pulled/drove it out and drove it home.
> Went and had an alignment done to make sure things were good. An adjustment
> to the toe and was sent home.
> I have been driving it now for a few days and it feels like it drifts/
> floats down the road at anything over 50mph.
> This floating seems to be more prevalent when it is windy, but not sure on
> this one yet.
> It does not feel jerky or popping to the left or right. It just feels like
> it gently floats to the left or right as I go down the road.
> I do the corrective steering thing, but a minute later, sometime seconds it
> happens again.
>
> I have about 6.5 degrees of positive caster.
> The lower steering pump seems tight.
> The track bar does not appear to be bent.
> All linkage seems straight.
> All ball joints are greased and look good.
>
> I even took it back to the alignment shop and talked to them about it. No
> luck, other then everything looks straight.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue or know what things I need to be
> looking into.
> Can the steering stabilizer cause this? Don't think so, but would like to
> know.
>
> Curious, can the caster be adjusted?
>
> Thanks for your time and help.
>
> Take care -Jim