Freeway wandering - alignment needed???

keycat02 · 03-19-2008, 09:33 AM

Hi All. I have a 2005 Liberty (4x4, stock tires, no mods) and have a problem with its freeway behavior. Basically, it takes constant small steering adjustments to keep the thing going straight, much more than any other vehicle I've owned. You don't dare fiddle with the radio or look away from the road for more than a few seconds. It doesn't pull one way or the other, just won't go straight without a lot of driver input. This isn't a recent problem either - I remember it behaving this way even when brand new. Could this be an alignment problem that could be fixed, or an unfixable design feature? Thanks for any help.

ribs · 03-19-2008, 01:38 PM

I would try an alignment our 2004 liberty has no steering problems. There is a tread somewhere on how to do you yourself if you would like to save some coin its supposedly not that had to do but have never done one myself.

If an alignment does not work something may be bent either look it over yourself or have the dealership do it for you (probably will charge you tho)

bikinman1226 · 03-19-2008, 01:38 PM

I think all Liberties do that because i have an 06 renegade and it does that as well which is incredibly annoying.

dcxman · 03-19-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikinman1226

I think all Liberties do that because i have an 06 renegade and it does that as well which is incredibly annoying.

It becomes more stable when you bag the oem junk tires and replace them with 245/70' AT tires. No lift needed but will affect mileage a tad.

jeepjeepster · 03-19-2008, 04:26 PM

I agree about the tires. Mine did it with the stock tires but now that I have yoko's it doesnt do it 'as' bad, but its still there.

What psi are you running? I keep around 36psi in mine and it seems to help. If the psi is to low or to high it will drive strange.

Make sure you check the suspension for looks bolts and make sure there is no play in the balljoints, tie-rod ends, or the steering rack.

keycat02 · 03-19-2008, 05:40 PM

Hi Again. Thanks for your replies. I'll have someone look at the alignment as suggested, maybe try changing the tires as well. Cheers, keycat02.

ruralroute01 · 03-19-2008, 10:27 PM

Hi,
I've experienced similar with my 06 Renegade. Had an alignment last fall, the tires were toeing out...the wandering/floating remained but has now gotten worse. It's been in the shop today replacing the left rear control arm. The reason for its demise they feel is the steel bar (never heard part name..and I'm a girl..forgot to ask..sorry) that runs across above the axle that prevents the sway. It is totally shot, the bushings are gone and its in bad shape. Now it needs another alignment and they feel the tires are now toeing in..which is grand! The local mechanic picked it up for me and drove it to the shop and had a fit about how it handles...so he started looking further than the rear control arm.
I have had so many issues w/transmission, ESP/ABS systems etc....but did bring up the floating/wandering feeling to one dealership last year. They just accounted it to the ESP system. Of course I focused on finding cures for the other issues. I wish I would have paid more attention to the wandering and maybe could have had something done under warranty. I'm way past warranty now at almost 70,xxx (rural mail carrier...so lots of gravel miles too). So btw those two things, wheel bearing (hub assembly replaced), other maintenance type work I'm going to be down about $1200 in less that a week.

dcxman · 03-20-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruralroute01

Hi,
I've experienced similar with my 06 Renegade. Had an alignment last fall, the tires were toeing out...the wandering/floating remained but has now gotten worse. It's been in the shop today replacing the left rear control arm. The reason for its demise they feel is the steel bar (never heard part name..and I'm a girl..forgot to ask..sorry) that runs across above the axle that prevents the sway. It is totally shot, the bushings are gone and its in bad shape. Now it needs another alignment and they feel the tires are now toeing in..which is grand! The local mechanic picked it up for me and drove it to the shop and had a fit about how it handles...so he started looking further than the rear control arm.
I have had so many issues w/transmission, ESP/ABS systems etc....but did bring up the floating/wandering feeling to one dealership last year. They just accounted it to the ESP system. Of course I focused on finding cures for the other issues. I wish I would have paid more attention to the wandering and maybe could have had something done under warranty. I'm way past warranty now at almost 70,xxx (rural mail carrier...so lots of gravel miles too). So btw those two things, wheel bearing (hub assembly replaced), other maintenance type work I'm going to be down about $1200 in less that a week.

I hope you have gotten better tires. Slightly larger tires really help.245/70/16
Many of us have General Grabber AT2 which can be order at Wal-Mart. Probably the best priced AT tire out there. I have 36k on mine with about 2/3 tread left. I also bought the $7.50 per tire lifetime balance and rotation which I use a lot.

jeepjeepster · 03-20-2008, 11:24 AM

Dont let them tell you that ESP will make the Jeep wonder. Thats 100% incorrect. If the ESP is not used when you are driving down the hw in a straight line.

I believe you are talking about the rear sway bar? It doesnt have any bushings and many people remove them to get better/easier flex. Ive never heard them complain about it making the Jeep wonder. It could be worn bushings on the control arms(both upper and lower).

ribs · 03-20-2008, 01:12 PM

keycat02 - Please tell us what the problem ends up being.

ruralroute01 · 03-21-2008, 12:14 AM

They told me it was the ESP system way back when they were trying to diagnose its issues, this was at the 2nd dealership. When the ESP was malfunctioning it would actually act up going down the highway, felt it was braking on its own, and pulled power from the engine. Hence why I was so determined to get it fixed!! lol and a cure was finally found in the wiring harness to the ABS module.

The local mechanic and the last dealer found the control arm issue. I had them replaced locally (slightly cheaper and more timely) as the dealership was an hour and 1/2 away and they would have had to order parts too. It turned out to be both the upper control arm and the left lower control arm. They were shot. I have them...maybe Chrysler will figure out there is an issue at some point and will recall. The local mechanic who use to work for Ford for twenty years ( so do feel he's experienced and do trust these guys)...thought it was a design issue and even with what I use the jeep for they shouldnt have worn like they did. He dropped it off to me tonight, said it drives totally different..in a good way! Said I will be amazed. He suggested complaints be made to Chrysler, that if enough complain maybe something will be done. It goes in for an alignment tomorrow so then hopefully ready to roll again! I misspoke in other comment...tires are toeing out again as they were when it was aligned in October.

The goodyear tires were yes the first to go. I drive 95 miles of mail route (60+ is gravel) so had to put better tires on. I usually always try to run 8 to 10 ply...have yet to find many that handle the gravel day in day out very well. I've never changed tire size. Assumed it would mess us the pressure sensors...I've had just a FEW electrical issues with this thing...didn't figure I would tempt it.

jeepjeepster · 03-22-2008, 10:29 PM

I didnt realize that two different people were posting about problems with the rear suspension, haha. Glad you got it figured out rural. Shouldnt the 06 liberty be under warranty though? Or have you already driven out of the miles?

The rear suspension isnt really a problem on the libertys. Tons of people lift then and offroad them(me included) with no bushing issues. There are a few that replace them but its not a wide spread peoblem. Im not saying this isnt whats wrong with keycats though, just something Ive noticed from my readings.

I always hit mine up with some silicone spray at each oil change. Im hoping that will keep them going for a good long while.

ruralroute01 · 03-23-2008, 09:08 AM

Yeah I was out of warranty around the first year...I put on if driving the Liberty only and not my Cherokee... a minimum of 3600 miles a month. Well it's encouraging that you don't see allot of problems with the rear suspension. I hope it was an isolated incident, we've had a very long winter of snow, ice and very low temps which made it difficult to keep the underside unpacked. Do you have skid plates or are they available for the rear? I like your idea about the silicone spray...not sure something I could get to here in my driveway (the upper arm anyway) but I bet the shop would do that for me....maybe I could take them some brownies or chocolate!

ribs · 03-23-2008, 01:09 PM

here is a link about death wobble.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222950

03-20-2008, 11:24 AM	#9
jeepjeepster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,511 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Dont let them tell you that ESP will make the Jeep wonder. Thats 100% incorrect. If the ESP is not used when you are driving down the hw in a straight line. I believe you are talking about the rear sway bar? It doesnt have any bushings and many people remove them to get better/easier flex. Ive never heard them complain about it making the Jeep wonder. It could be worn bushings on the control arms(both upper and lower). Last edited by jeepjeepster; 03-20-2008 at 01:56 PM..

03-19-2008, 01:38 PM	#3
bikinman1226 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Knoxvile, tn Posts: 68 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I think all Liberties do that because i have an 06 renegade and it does that as well which is incredibly annoying.

03-19-2008, 04:26 PM	#5
jeepjeepster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,511 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I agree about the tires. Mine did it with the stock tires but now that I have yoko's it doesnt do it 'as' bad, but its still there. What psi are you running? I keep around 36psi in mine and it seems to help. If the psi is to low or to high it will drive strange. Make sure you check the suspension for looks bolts and make sure there is no play in the balljoints, tie-rod ends, or the steering rack.

03-22-2008, 10:29 PM	#12
jeepjeepster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,511 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I didnt realize that two different people were posting about problems with the rear suspension, haha. Glad you got it figured out rural. Shouldnt the 06 liberty be under warranty though? Or have you already driven out of the miles? The rear suspension isnt really a problem on the libertys. Tons of people lift then and offroad them(me included) with no bushing issues. There are a few that replace them but its not a wide spread peoblem. Im not saying this isnt whats wrong with keycats though, just something Ive noticed from my readings. I always hit mine up with some silicone spray at each oil change. Im hoping that will keep them going for a good long while.