The Most Effective Steering Wander Fix Cost Me $0 (Updated 1-7-23)

[Darkspeed]

What's your base model? Mojave? Rubicon?

Rubicon Diesel
2" AEV front / rear spacer kit
plus a 1" teraflex front spacer to account for steel bumper/ winch.

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[Darkspeed]

i spent some time evaluating bolt diameters when installing the steer smarts brace , trackbar and the apex tie rod and draglink and was able to get some tolerance play out of the steering by doing some metric to sea / sea to metric bolt swapping shenanigans.

 

[Lunentucker]

i spent some time evaluating bolt diameters when installing the steer smarts brace , trackbar and the apex tie rod and draglink and was able to get some tolerance play out of the steering by doing some metric to sea / sea to metric bolt swapping shenanigans.

Interesting. I never considered that.
Smart.

 

[Darkspeed]

like upsizing your 14mm to a 9/16 to remove some of the tolerance nargles.

in fact some mfgs have kits for that issue..

https://steersmarts.com/products/yeti-xd-9-16th-track-bar-bolt-upgrade-kit

I found a lot of tolerance in my aftermarket stabilizer as well.

Some of the holes I gave up on and just re-drilled them one size up with a precision diameter bit.

13mm is a plus tolerance 1/2"

9/16" is a plus tolerance 14mm

 

[ShadowsPapa]

like upsizing your 14mm to a 9/16 to remove some of the tolerance nargles.

in fact some mfgs have kits for that issue..

https://steersmarts.com/products/yeti-xd-9-16th-track-bar-bolt-upgrade-kit

I found a lot of tolerance in my aftermarket stabilizer as well.

Some of the holes I gave up on and just re-drilled them one size up with a precision diameter bit.

13mm is a plus tolerance 1/2"

9/16" is a plus tolerance 14mm

If a larger bolt that fits tighter makes any difference, the clamping force wasn't enough. Relying on a bolt is relying on the sheer strength of the bolt. If it's clamped properly, the clamping force holds it even if the bolt isn't snug in the hole.


As a note on caster - there's such a thing as too much. It causes caster WOBBLE which is a shimmy. In short, too much can cause something like DW.

 

[Lunentucker]

If a larger bolt that fits tighter makes any difference, the clamping force wasn't enough. Relying on a bolt is relying on the sheer strength of the bolt. If it's clamped properly, the clamping force holds it even if the bolt isn't snug in the hole.


As a note on caster - there's such a thing as too much. It causes caster WOBBLE which is a shimmy. In short, too much can cause something like DW.

You've had a lot of experience with a lot of vehicles. I was wondering what spec caster angle is on other SAV's?
I'm guessing it's not that simple, and weight, center of gravity, and other factors play roles?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You've had a lot of experience with a lot of vehicles. I was wondering what spec caster angle is on other SAV's?
I'm guessing it's not that simple, and weight, center of gravity, and other factors play roles?

Once again you thought into it. Yeah, other factors. And each vehicle has a personality that those things you mention play into.

It's not so simple as to say "you will have trouble" - it's like - if you go beyond where it's stable bigger isn't always better.
Things like scrub radius, camber (which we can't change), weight of the vehicle and wheels/tires and more.
For me, it's if it's in specs, or if it's lifted and I need the higher end to make it stable, once I get there I stop.

 

[Lunentucker]

One last update, just in case anyone stumbles upon this thread through an online search.

Yesterday I installed the Metalcloak Sector Shaft Brace, and while it certainly made everything feel much more tight, it was almost too tight, and the wheel didn't want to return to center quite as well as before.

So today I made the final move and dropped to the last hole down in the Rancho Geometry Correction Brackets.
Now I just drove this vehicle about 600 miles earlier this week, and I thought it was fine on all kinds of roads and at all speeds, but....

WOW!
I am now convinced more than ever that the Mojave is caster handicapped from the factory.
The third hole down on the brackets have this thing driving amazingly!
I haven't measured caster, but I am guessing it's somewhere around +7.
Had it running 90 today on the rural two lane that runs by the house, and I could control it with one finger!
After turning, the wheel wants to return to straight beautifully.

Final answer:
Take the slop out of the steering gearbox
Install a good aftermarket stabilizer
Install Metalcloak Sector Shaft Brace
Install Rancho or similar Geometry Correction Brackets and go one holes past what they recommend for your lift.

 

[notoriousms33]

One last update, just in case anyone stumbles upon this thread through an online search.

Yesterday I installed the Metalcloak Sector Shaft Brace, and while it certainly made everything feel much more tight, it was almost too tight, and the wheel didn't want to return to center quite as well as before.

So today I made the final move and dropped to the last hole down in the Rancho Geometry Correction Brackets.
Now I just drove this vehicle about 600 miles earlier this week, and I thought it was fine on all kinds of roads and at all speeds, but....

WOW!
I am now convinced more than ever that the Mojave is caster handicapped from the factory.
The third hole down on the brackets have this thing driving amazingly!
I haven't measured caster, but I am guessing it's somewhere around +6.2.Had it running 90 today on the rural two lane that runs by the house, and I could control it with one finger!
After turning, the wheel wants to return to straight beautifully.

Final answer:
Take the slop out of the steering gearbox
Install agood aftermarket stabilizer
Install Metalcloak Sector Shaft Brace
Install Rancho or similar Geometry Correction Brackets and go one holes past what they recommend for your lift.

by the way, congrats on configuring all the specs and parts to get you back to 100%.

I’ll cheers to you when I get mine back to show room driveability for sure



So do these three steps with the exception of the geometry bracket if your ride is not aftermarket lifted correct?

or

In order to use geometry brackets to get the plush ride there for I need to lift my jeep?
please save me a drive down to virginia

 

[Lunentucker]

by the way, congrats on configuring all the specs and parts to get you back to 100%.

I’ll cheers to you when I get mine back to show room driveability for sure



So do these three steps with the exception of the geometry bracket if your ride is not aftermarket lifted correct?

or

In order to use geometry brackets to get the plush ride there for I need to lift my jeep?
please save me a drive down to virginia

I think if I had an otherwise factory Mojave with no lift I would install the Mopar long control arms, the Metalcloak brace, and check the steering gearbox free play.
I'm pretty sure my truck drives better than any new one now.

 

[notoriousms33]

I think if I had an otherwise factory Mojave with no lift I would install the Mopar long control arms, the Metalcloak brace, and check the steering gearbox free play.
I'm pretty sure my truck drives better than any new one now.

I don’t want to be the new commer and say this jeep was purchased with 0 miles January 2022 and it should drive like it did first day I got it a year ago, but here I am saying just that.

65k dollar vehicle and I have to screw bolts and after market parts for it to maintain it is outlandish.

Kudos to you guys for helping others trying to pass along your experiences. Takes patience and a sense of generosity passing along tips and tricks.

I am out of patience, I couldn’t hardly imagine the headaches after a lift

 

[notoriousms33]

I don’t want to be the new commer and say this jeep was purchased with 0 miles January 2022 and it should drive like it did first day I got it a year ago, but here I am saying just that.

65k dollar vehicle and I have to screw bolts and after market parts for it to maintain it is outlandish.

Kudos to you guys for helping others trying to pass along your experiences. Takes patience and a sense of generosity passing along tips and tricks.

I am out of patience, I couldn’t hardly imagine the headaches after a lift

I tried to put a butane lighter to steering box, I think I use the wrong size Allen bolt and made it so you can’t turn the inside screw with any size now (center bolt centered inside the bolt.

 

[Darkspeed]

I haven't measured caster, but I am guessing it's somewhere around +6.2.Had it running 90 today on the rural two lane that runs by the house, and I could control it with one finger!

I’m in the center hole at 7.3 on a 3” lift

I think your caster may be more than you think.

 

[notoriousms33]

Interesting. I never considered that.
Smart.

Do you recall skimming over any torque bolt specs mojave rubicon specific?

 

[Lunentucker]

Do you recall skimming over any torque bolt specs mojave rubicon specific?

No. The only torque specs I've seen or used seem to be the same for all models.

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