[jeepjamboree]

I have a 1982 Jeep CJ7 with a 2 inch lift. When I had 30 inch tires the steering was ok. (a little play) But now that I put 32 inch tires on, it pulls hard to the left sometimes. Then to correct, I have to turn the wheel right a good 1/4 turn, this cause the CJ to jerk really hard to the right. Like I said, this doesn't happen all the time, so I am thinking its the steering shaft??? Any help would be great.

[Mike Romain]

Have someone inside turn the steering wheel side to side while you watch right under the brake master at that column U-joint, then next watch down at the bottom by the box at that joint.

[jeepjamboree]

Thanks! I will do when I get home. Have any idea what to look at next, if the shaft seem to check out?

[CjinPA]

I would look at how much the steering box moves when you turn the steering wheel to the right. I would check the bolts that hold the box to the frame and make sure that they are not loose. If the steering box moves a lot I would get a steering box brace.

[Mike Romain]

Originally Posted by jeepjamboree

Thanks! I will do when I get home. Have any idea what to look at next, if the shaft seem to check out?

I usually then continue on to the underneath and check the pitman joint, then over to the drag link joint, then to the tie rod end joints. One or more places will be bad. I had a little everywhere and it was nuts. All were within safety, but add em up and...

[jeepjamboree]

Thanks for all your help. I will look at everything mentioned. I check out the tierods and the balljoints about a 5,000 ago, I replaced one tierod, the others were ok. (Might be my problem) I got an alignment right after. It just became a problem the day after I got my new tires, I had the shop balance them a secound time. The only patern I have seen is, it happens about a 1/4 mile after I hit a bump. Other than that, it happens when ever. Do you think it is caused by the 2 inch increase in tire size?

[LSUtiger]

What kind of tires did you get?

[jeepjamboree]

BFG Mud-Terrain 32x11.5R15

[LSUtiger]

Those tires should be fine. It sounds like an alignment problem to me. Good luck,
Brady

[Mike Romain]

Originally Posted by jeepjamboree

Thanks for all your help. I will look at everything mentioned. I check out the tierods and the balljoints about a 5,000 ago, I replaced one tierod, the others were ok. (Might be my problem) I got an alignment right after. It just became a problem the day after I got my new tires, I had the shop balance them a secound time. The only patern I have seen is, it happens about a 1/4 mile after I hit a bump. Other than that, it happens when ever. Do you think it is caused by the 2 inch increase in tire size?

Nope!

I run BFG 33x9.5 Muds and can take my hand off the steering at highway speeds and it tracks perfect. No 'tacking into the wind' idea at all.

Now alignment issues....

If they messed that, it will do like you say.

You can set it in the driveway, I have always done mine and my tire wear is perfect.

You find the seam in the tires and measure across the front of the tires seam to seam, then do it again on the back side of the tires as high up as you can reach seam to seam. The front measurement should be a little less than 1/4" shorter than the back measurement.

Someone in another thread just mentioned wheel bearings. If they are loose, it will jump around. You jack it up and see if the tire feels sloppy on it's bearings by grabbing it and wiggling it.

[jeepdaddy2000]

If this started after the tires were installed, you might try switching them front to rear to eliminate any questions. Might also check the springs to see if they were inadvertently damaged by a jack while at the tire shop. Otherwise, a full inspection is in order as Mike mentioned above. The larger footprint of the tire may be causing various front end components to move more than they did before.

[slacker92104]

What kind of lift do you have?