[Moby]

I just installed the RE 4.5 XD lift and took it for it's first drive and noticed when I accelerate the jeep wanders to the right and when I let off the gas it wanders to the left. Took it to the shop and had the alignment done and had them inspect all steering parts and they said everything looked good but when they test drove it they it still had the same steering wander. Before the lift I had no steering problems at all. Was as tight as could be. Is this a "Jeep thing" after a lift or is there some kind of fix? I read somewhere on this forum that shimming the front axle might help. Any steering experts out there?

[sbenja2003]

I just did the exact same thing and my Jeep acts the same way. The problem is bumpsteer the Draglink angle is to steep even with the drop pitman arm. I put on a Rancho steering stabilzer and it helped alot. Im going to do a tierod flip and I think it will elemanate the problem. The castor angle on mine ended up at 5.0 degrees stock specs is 6.5 degrees Im thinking of makeing some shims to correct that but the real problem is the angle of the drag link.

[Jeep-Rebel]

no its "a jeep thing". I put on a 4" Rough Country lift this spring and went from p235x75R15 to 31x10.5s and mine does the exact same thing. My step-uncle has owns a service center and my mechanic i've had for years both looked at it and said there was nothing you can do. I figure is on account of the bigger springs. Most lifts come with cushy springs to give you more axle articulation, and when you push in the clutch to shift, you cease all torque pushing you rear axle. This causes the axle to straighten. Then once you let the clutch back out, your drive tire, (probably the rear right) starts pushing again, causing the sway. You'll get used to it though, I ran mine all summer with the track and sway bars disconnected to have as much axle articulation as possible, just hooked 'em back up for winter. But If you think your sway is bad, try it like that!!!!

[rrisher]

(X2)
You’re experiencing bump steer~

And yes, it’s caused by the drag link angle. ]

[Moby]

I know bump steer is caused by drag link and tie rod not being parallel, but mine are lined up perfectly. I just called Rubicon Express and they said the problem is called torque steer and there is really nothing you can do about it.

[Mean Max]

Originally Posted by Moby

I know bump steer is caused by drag link and tie rod not being parallel, but mine are lined up perfectly. I just called Rubicon Express and they said the problem is called torque steer and there is really nothing you can do about it.

"Torque Steer" would require torque to be applied to the front axle. Your post infers that you are experiencing this on normal highway driving, which can only mean that you are either driving in 4WD on the street, or somebody at RE fed you a line of B.S. to get you to go away.

I'll place my bet on door number 2, thank you!

[sbenja2003]

Originally Posted by Jeep-Rebel

no its "a jeep thing". I put on a 4" Rough Country lift this spring and went from p235x75R15 to 31x10.5s and mine does the exact same thing. My step-uncle has owns a service center and my mechanic i've had for years both looked at it and said there was nothing you can do. I figure is on account of the bigger springs. Most lifts come with cushy springs to give you more axle articulation, and when you push in the clutch to shift, you cease all torque pushing you rear axle. This causes the axle to straighten. Then once you let the clutch back out, your drive tire, (probably the rear right) starts pushing again, causing the sway. You'll get used to it though, I ran mine all summer with the track and sway bars disconnected to have as much axle articulation as possible, just hooked 'em back up for winter. But If you think your sway is bad, try it like that!!!!

If you think its a Jeep thing go ahead and drive a crappy handling Jeep but its not a Jeep thing its bump steer and it can be fixed with raising the tie rod and drag link

[Moby]

So what angle should the drag link be and how do you find out what the caster angle is? Forgive me, I'm new to jeeps.

[sbenja2003]

Originally Posted by Moby

I know bump steer is caused by drag link and tie rod not being parallel, but mine are lined up perfectly. I just called Rubicon Express and they said the problem is called torque steer and there is really nothing you can do about it.

You say your drag link and tie rod are lined up are you sure your not looking at the track bar and tie rod because my tie rod and drag link arnt even close to being the same angle.

[bigsquat]

I did the tie rod flip and it helped, but since i put the Aussie in the back i get "torque steer" when i give it gas in a corner it trys to straighten out, and also when i let off on the gas. but since u arnt locked thats not your problem. you seem pretty sure about the drag link being correct but it sure sounds like its the culprit.

[Mean Max]

Originally Posted by sbenja2003

You say your drag link and tie rod are lined up are you sure your not looking at the track bar and tie rod because my tie rod and drag link arnt even close to being the same angle.

I think you're right on the money there. This is a TJ pic, but it covers the same ground.

[sbenja2003]

Originally Posted by Moby

So what angle should the drag link be and how do you find out what the caster angle is? Forgive me, I'm new to jeeps.

I got a printout when I got the alignment checked at the shop

[Mean Max]

Originally Posted by Moby

So what angle should the drag link be and how do you find out what the caster angle is? Forgive me, I'm new to jeeps.

Alignment specs:

Wrangler & Wagoneer
Ride Height in Inches ........................... .....
Adjustment Procedures ........................... .....
Camber in Degrees (Fraction) .............. -1/2 to 1/2
Camber in Degrees (Decimal) ............. -0.50 to 0.50
Caster in Degrees (Fraction) ................... 7 to 8
Caster in Degrees (Decimal) ................ 7.0 to 8.0
Toe-In in Inches (Fraction) .............. 1/32 to 1/32
Toe-In in Inches (Decimal) ............. 0.031 to 0.031
Toe-In in Degrees (Fraction) ............. 1/16 to 1/16
Toe-In in Degrees (Decimal) ............ 0.063 to 0.063
Toe-Out on Turns
Inner .......................................... NS
Outer .......................................... NS
Steering Axis Inclination (SAI) ................ 8 1/2*

[Moby]

sbenja2003, your right, it's the track bar.

[sbenja2003]

Originally Posted by Moby

sbenja2003, your right, it's the track bar.

By the way I removed the track bar and that helped too.