Jeep feels unsafe and squirrely

Squirrelly is the best way I can put it.

On uneven roads, bumps, dips, etc the jeep pulls to one side or the other.

Consequently the traction control light comes on and the jeep loses power.

It's actually pretty scary I don't even want to drive the jeep.

Also the steering wheel goes from being centered for miles to being tilted to the left for miles then tilted to the right then back to center and does this perpetually.

I've had two good techs look at it and we can't figure it out.

Going to try a steering stabilizer tomorrow.

What do you guys think it can be?

I'm running about 22 psi on 35x1250r15 for the most even ware. In case that matters.

I had it aligned immediately after adding the lift, twice. The second time was at firestone where my buddy worked on it and checked everything. Firestone was farther so i first had it aligned at a nearby shop.

Man I was so excited about my lift just to have the luck of having issues afterward.

 

Bump Steer is commonly caused by the trackbar and the draglink not being parallel with each other. Something like a drop pitman arm may be needed to realign them. A steering stabilizer can help counteract some of the forces that cause bump steer.

Something is definitely not right though, especially with the steering wheel being off centered in different directions. Sounds like something is loose.

 

Steering wheel movement (not centered) is caused by the drag link. Torque down the bolts on the DL sleeve, I suspect it's jumping a thread or two. That's also what's causing your TC light to come on.
While you're down there go ahead on torque both ends of the DL and the tie rod ends.

That said, both those items (Tie Rod & Drag Link) wear out with bigger/heavier tires and should be upgraded. A properly set up steering system doesn't need a steering stabilzer, although they do make the steering a bit smoother.

My Jeep I used Steersmarts drag link and tie rod, they're 1 1/2 ton ends are the biggest I've seen and they're grease-able. I like them so much we just them on the wife's build too. You can do a bottom mount drag link OR order a high mount with a bracket to move the track bar. The cool thing about their high steer is that you don't have to drill out the knuckle. They're the only ones doing that right now.

So, in summary, up to 3" of lift go with regular steer, 4" or over go with high steer. In the meantime tighten everything up under your Jeep.

PS- tire pressure seems a little low, I speculate they'd be happier at 26-28 PSI.


Good luck!!

 

On another note, the "squirllyness" is likely a caster issue, what were your alignment numbers? Can you post the sheet?

 

First thing I would check would be the track bar, if it is loose on either end it will give you the exact same symptoms you are having.

~Jeff

 

Rough country 4" long arm.

 

It has a drop pitman and the draglink is parallel to the track bar.

Putting on a stabilizer today.

 

Got it thanks will give this a try.

 

Will post the results as soon as i can.

 

My jk has long arms.

 

Front and rear trackbars were checked and rechecked.

 

Have you had someone turn the wheels and tires back and forth while the Jeep is on pavement? When they change directions with the steering you will be able to see if anything is worn out or moving around. Don't rule out the rear axle or any of its joints either. I have also seen a couple of the jam nuts back off on Rough Countries arms and cause almost the same issue.

Thanks
Jeff

 

We did turn the steering wheel back n forth on pavement and everything seemed fine. We tightened everything too.

We'll try checking the rear axle.

Also gonna increase my psi as was suggested here.

I guess everyone is out of other ideas like my buddy and I are

I appreciate all the help tho you guys are great.

 

Still a bunch more ideas for you, how much caster are you running? Most long arm JK's with bigger than 35" tires I like to run at 5 ish degrees. But honestly if your steering wheel randomly decides to move, something is loose and moving around or you have a faulty steering box, steering shaft or something in the column.

~Jeff

 

I've got to ask about the road conditions on when your feeling the squirrelyness. If there are grooves in the road 35s will hunt to stay in the grooves. It does sound like you have the castor a little off. Your lift is set up to adjust the castor on the short control arms going to the top of the axle. Should be around -6 degrees. That is tilted back 6 degrees. How many miles on your jeep? It may be time to replace ball joints and tierod ends. The Long arm kit you have will accentuate any issues you may have had, but had not mainfested themselves yet, and now you are feeling them. Also the heavier steering kit BBS mentioned will do wonders for your steering and you'll not need the steering stabilizer. I ran 37s without a stabilizer and now I run 40s without one, but I do have hydro assist now so that is like running one. Did you torque everything down on yhour new install. control arms etc. Both sides need to be equal or they will ride different i.e. left side tightened tighter than the right side will make the left side stiffer etc.

 

I couldn't find the alignment sheet so I will be posting one tomorrow once I get another one from firestone.

Will post it as soon as I have it.

 

It happens on any road except super smooth roads where it goes perfectly straight with no issues.

If I remember correctly castor was around -5 but I'll confirm that tomorrow when I pick up a copy of the alignment results.

42k miles.

Not sure if everything was torqued. The place that installed my kit left the control arms loose so I doubt they torqued anything to spec. I tightened the control arms after about 20 miles or so at firestone.

My buddy at firestone did say the arms were adjusted properly just not tightened.

Will look into bbs.

It drove so beautifully it's difficult to think it had pre-existing issues that had not manifested but that may be a possibility.

 

Thanks brother.

The psi made a difference. The jeep still feels squirrely but it no longer wants to dart like crazy. It also feels much safer now.

Stabilizer goes on mañana and hope that will take care of the residual squirreliness.