Jeep all over the road

fortmacdave · 01-14-2011, 09:57 PM

Just picked up a 97 tj , not sure what to think so far, little scarie driving , got pulled over cop thought I was drunk, it looks great and great shape but when you drive down the road its all over the place its like all tires are going to fall off or very loose, I checked all nuts seam to be tight , does not have a lift yet , when you think your going straight then your off to the left then right can some tell me what may be going on.There is some play in the stearing could that be a problem in the stearing gear box?
second no heat or not enought heat , dont seam to be getting a good flow of air coming threw the vents??
Third , its a 2.5 engine but should have a little more pep then it has now , driving up a hill hard third gear , from the bottom going 110klms full tilt but when your half way up be lucky to hit 60klm , tj has 198000 so not bad on mileage, I think its been looked after poorly not abused but just lack of service ,
Any help here would be great , my main consern is why its all over the road from what I can see under all seams to be tight .
Thanks

baldeagle1 · 01-14-2011, 10:07 PM

If this is yur first jeep. The short wheel base takes a bit to get used to. I let my girlfriend drive mine and the first few times she was all over the place. Does OK now. Far as the power, if it has bigger tires it may need regearing. good luck

kd006 · 01-14-2011, 10:16 PM

Please fill in your profile, i.e. year, model, engine, trans, tire size, any lifts, mods etc. It would make it much easier to devine the answers.

TheStigX · 01-14-2011, 10:26 PM

Yeah, I'm all over the road too...I usually can't take my hand off the wheel but only the slightest touch is needed to keep it straight. Test drive another TJ and compare

**lope** · 01-14-2011, 10:31 PM

Jack up the front end and grab each tire and check for movement/play. If you feel some look to see where the play is. Could be ball joints, tie rods, steering gear, etc. If there's something worn that bad with the steering it could come lose and be dangerous. Because of this you should eliminate steering being the problem first before checking anything else

kylelikewhoa · 01-14-2011, 11:11 PM

Check your tire pressure. A tire that is lower on air can cause a pull.

No heat can be a couple things. Make sure you have coolant in the radiator first of all. Jeeps also have a problem with the resistor block for the heater. Mine only had 2 speeds when I bought it with 40,000 miles, the speeds were off and high, it was very annoying.

For the power, it's a 4 cylinder. You could do a tune up and see if it runs any better, and after that maybe do a re-gear. Not a whole lot you can do about the power of the 4 cylinder, except maybe throw a turbo on it.

kooljp · 01-15-2011, 12:44 AM

The first thing I would look into would be new tie rod ends. Sounds like yours are pretty bad from what you are saying

**TheBoogieman** · 01-15-2011, 01:16 AM

Do a front end alignment on it.Set toe-in at 1/8".That will cause the problem too.Check/change the spark plugs,wires.distributor cap and rotor if they're worn for better power.

kd006 · 01-15-2011, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBoogieman

Do a front end alignment on it.Set toe-in at 1/8".That will cause the problem too.Check/change the spark plugs,wires.distributor cap and rotor if they're worn for better power.

Query, are castor and camber adjustable also? Have not really looked at my Heep to tell.

RogueSpear2023 · 01-15-2011, 01:56 AM

I agree sounds like you tie roads or ball joints are shot, but first I would take it and get an alignment, a good shop will be able to diagnose any worn parts before they do the alignment. As far as no flow good be your blower motor is going out. The 2.5L doesn't have much for power even in stock form, 31s will make a real dent in the power, which can fit on a Jeep with out a lift. I can second the new spark plugs, wires, and distributor cap.

**TheBoogieman** · 01-15-2011, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kd006

Query, are castor and camber adjustable also? Have not really looked at my Heep to tell.

Nope.You can set the toe yourself in 10 minutes with the help of a buddy to hold the tape measure.
http://www.4x4xplor.com/alignment.html

gcroswell · 01-15-2011, 05:10 AM

Look to make sure the last owner didnt take the sway bar off or leave it disconnected.

fortmacdave · 01-15-2011, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcroswell

Look to make sure the last owner didnt take the sway bar off or leave it disconnected.

Does the 97 tj have or should have a rear swaybar? also there is alot of play in the pitarm going into the steering gear box.

**TheBoogieman** · 01-15-2011, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortmacdave

Does the 97 tj have or should have a rear swaybar? also there is alot of play in the pitarm going into the steering gear box.

Some base model (4 cylinder)TJ's came without a rear sway bar from the factory.You really should have one though.You shouldn't be able to move the pitman arm by hand at all.

**grogie** · 01-15-2011, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldeagle1

If this is yur first jeep. The short wheel base takes a bit to get used to. I let my girlfriend drive mine and the first few times she was all over the place. Does OK now. Far as the power, if it has bigger tires it may need regearing. good luck

It's not normal to be all over the road. Even at 75 mph with an AntiRock, mine drives straight on the highway with one hand on the wheel.