spanishmack
Well-Known Member
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- #1
I recently posted here about "Steering Wobble Paranoia" (https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/steering-wobble-paranoia.97564/#post-1561842). Since that post I went to develop a full on death wobble. So, to start tackling it I got 4 Wheel Parts to put in some Dynatrac ball joints and while I was having them do that I went ahead and added a Terraflex 1.5:" spacer in the front to fix the rake, since I have a pretty heavy winch to put on there when I get the wobble fixed and the the time. I also order the YETI Steer Smarts XD Track Bar, draglink with attenuator and heavy duty tie rod to do myself. (After watching vids on doing ball joints, that seemed like more than I really wanted to try and tackle in my garage,) So, after I got it back from 4WP, it had a worse death wobble and the steering wheel was cocked to the left going straight. I didn't sweat it yet a whole lot, since I knew I had beefier components to put on and the total of 3.5" inches in the front was probably not OK for the factory track bar and other components. So, after 2 gruelling days, last night I got all the new components installed. (Had to get some last minute parts since the steering stabilizer mounting was different now. After I got everything installed, while I had the front wheels off, I used a set of alignment plates with the tape measures and got it dialed in perfectly to 1/8" toe in, with a 1/16" on either side. So, I clamped down the tie rod at that point, but the wheels back on and lowered it down. Rocked the front end, measured from coil bell to wheels edge and was off about a 1/4". Adjusted the track bar and got it even on each side. Then I adjusted the draglink and got the steering wheel recentered. When I put the steering stabilizer on (Fox TS for reference using 1 5/8" Fox tie rod bracket and extended passenger track bar bolt/stud) it took me several tries to get it oriented where it was not touching either the drag link or the trackbar. I finally got it with my wife's help turning the steering wheel, but it comes VERY close to the draglink at full hard over right. (Not sure how much to worry about this for future).
So, ready to give it a try around the neighborhood and then a little further if everything good. First thing I noticed was that the front tires looked significantly toed out. Trying to figured out how that is possible since I dialed it in so well with the plates and the wheels off. Anyways, tried it out. Steering felt immediatey better and "solid" is the best way I can describe it. Ran thru the neighborhood and all the bumps and holes that made the DW before did nothing. Great I'm thinking. Then I ran it down the road to some really rough patches doing about 45-50. NO WOBBLE! My only issue now, is that after all that adjustment the steering wheel is cocked left fairly significantly to go straight. And there seems to be more play in the steering wheel. Not pulling to either side when let go of the wheel going straight.
So my questions for those who know way more than me about this stuff:
1) Should I just let 4WP try and fix these issues (they wanted to have me bring it back in a week anyways to check their work)?
2) If I'm going to tackle it again myself, what steps / sequence should I go thru? (I'd rather avoid taking front wheels off this soon again, as a 56 year old guy it was pretty brutal getting them back up and on... Think I may be f@@@@d if I have a flat, but I'll deal with that when it happens)
3) Only thing still stock now besides the Mopar 2" lift are the control arms and swaybar components. Anyone think m I looking at forking out more money on adjustable control arms in front to fix this? (Got a cheap digital angle finder on Amazon, so was gonna try and check caster angle too)
I'm really in a pickle as I sold the backup F-150 I had a few months ago, so the Jeep is now my daily driver to get to work. Any thoughts, prayers, chants, psychic energy, good karma, luck, etc... welcomed.
So, ready to give it a try around the neighborhood and then a little further if everything good. First thing I noticed was that the front tires looked significantly toed out. Trying to figured out how that is possible since I dialed it in so well with the plates and the wheels off. Anyways, tried it out. Steering felt immediatey better and "solid" is the best way I can describe it. Ran thru the neighborhood and all the bumps and holes that made the DW before did nothing. Great I'm thinking. Then I ran it down the road to some really rough patches doing about 45-50. NO WOBBLE! My only issue now, is that after all that adjustment the steering wheel is cocked left fairly significantly to go straight. And there seems to be more play in the steering wheel. Not pulling to either side when let go of the wheel going straight.
So my questions for those who know way more than me about this stuff:
1) Should I just let 4WP try and fix these issues (they wanted to have me bring it back in a week anyways to check their work)?
2) If I'm going to tackle it again myself, what steps / sequence should I go thru? (I'd rather avoid taking front wheels off this soon again, as a 56 year old guy it was pretty brutal getting them back up and on... Think I may be f@@@@d if I have a flat, but I'll deal with that when it happens)
3) Only thing still stock now besides the Mopar 2" lift are the control arms and swaybar components. Anyone think m I looking at forking out more money on adjustable control arms in front to fix this? (Got a cheap digital angle finder on Amazon, so was gonna try and check caster angle too)
I'm really in a pickle as I sold the backup F-150 I had a few months ago, so the Jeep is now my daily driver to get to work. Any thoughts, prayers, chants, psychic energy, good karma, luck, etc... welcomed.
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