How much of a drop (or "misalignment") on a Pitman arm is enough to cause a noticeable bumpsteer?
I'm asking because I recently did the Durango steering gear swap (my original gear had a HUGE dead spot in the center), and now I am feeling a lot of sway in my steering (never noticed it before).
I notice it mostly when I get body roll around a turn or the road surface tilts my front axle (nothing if I hit a bump evenly, such as a speed bump or the change in surface height in a construction zone).
I'm thinking it's a bumpsteer-like effect because the output shaft on the Durango box is slightly offset from where the original ZF gear box had it. The output shaft housing is longer, putting it around 1/4" or so lower, as if I has a slightly dropped Pitman arm. Also, since the Durango box is larger, I suspect the output shaft has moved slightly towards the passenger side.
Assuming my theory is correct, how would I correct it? Can I just lower my track bar with an appropriate spacer (I have the Metalcloak TB, so this would be easily done), using stacked washers to determine the appropriate spacer thickness? Or would I need to look into a new frame-side TB mount?
I wouldn't want to space a track bar down that way. It's just adding additional leverage on the bolt, possibly weakening it. I want my track bar as strong as possible.
I'm not positive that what you are feeling is bump steer.
I wouldn't want to space a track bar down that way. It's just adding additional leverage on the bolt, possibly weakening it. I want my track bar as strong as possible.
I agree, somewhat. The washer stack would be temporary so I could determine the right thickness, then switching to an appropriate spacer, welded to the frame-side TB mount. I swear someone had a thread where they had to slightly relocate their Currie TB end for a similar reason, but I couldn't find it.
It's not really bumpsteer, but I think it's related in that it feels to me like the axle is shifting a different amount than the steering during a lean, probably due to a mismatch in the geometry.
My issue is not the body roll. The amount of body roll hasn't changed, and I'm comfortable with it. What has changed is that now it feels like the steering is reacting to the body roll. As I drive around a curve, I can feel the body roll slightly (normal), and then the steering turns more.
Sway bar is fine, bushings are fine. I don't suspect them, as the problem cropped up immediately after I switched the steering gear, and I didn't touch the sway bar system.
I will give this a try. Does it make a difference whether it is running or not (i.e. fluid flowing through the steering gear or not)? Also, if the steering wheel does move, what exactly does that mean is wrong?
XJ arm has more drop to it I believe. I'm pretty sure I have a spare one on the shelf I can compare. If I can find it, I'm happy to donate it to anyone for shipping cost as my daughter recently took my actual XJ when she graduated and moved out.
The almighty Google seems to corroborate your belief. That's the opposite direction of what I think I may need. I might have to break out a tape measure and actually see where my geometry is sitting.
If I can ever get my original Pitman arm off the original box, I may give this a try.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Jeep Enthusiast Forums
18.5M posts
726.8K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to all jeep owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, engine swaps, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!